Petition the British Government to take action to protect the students of Bahrain and their families

On the 14th of February protestors took to the streets of Bahrain demanding the introduction of a constitutional monarchy and constitutional reform that promotes basic human rights, civil liberties, power sharing, equal access to employment, and the right to choose a new prime minister.

The government’s crackdown came to involve nighttime raids on the homes of pro-democracy protestors or anyone suspected of supporting them. Many were threatened, sexually harassed, raped, brutally tortured, arrested and even murdered. The regime's arrest campaign came to include women, children, doctors, teachers, human rights activists and anyone who could be a potential opposition member. This systematic intimidation campaign is continuing and a sense of despair seems to be engulfing the citizens of Bahrain wherever they maybe.

The invasion from neighboring Saudi and the United Arab Emirates has made the situation worst and a sectarian dimension has now been brought into the mix. Many Bahraini's are from the Shia majority and can’t help, but feel the brunt of the hate and utter disregard these occupying forces have shown toward their Bahraini brothers and sisters.

Students from Bahrain who are attending universities overseas are not in isolation from these events as many of them have family members or friends who were directly affected by the brutality of the regime. They are also saddened by the lack of media coverage of the severity of the situation and the way the plight of the people of Bahrain has been ignored by the international community and as a result some of them decided to demonstrate on their behalf.

As a consequence, the government of Bahrain has now started to indiscriminately target students studying abroad. Government sponsored students had their scholarships and financial support revoked by the government a few days after participating in demonstrations or writing comments on social networks. The termination of the scholarships with immediate effect is creating a dire financial need, as well as emotional and mental distress. They are all now living in fear for our safety and wellbeing and know that we are likely to be detained on our return to Bahrain. There are many documented cases of students disappearing on returning to Bahrain. The students of Bahrain really have no idea where this is heading for them and don’t know what will become of them.

Links: The Mule – government targeting Bahrain Students in Britain
http://manchestermule.com/article/bahraini-protestors-in-manchester-targeted
CNN Video on crackdown in Bahrain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WgyTR1oEZg&feature=player_embedded
Recent Report on situation in Bahrain from Amnesty International:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE11/017/2011/en/e8a103c8-4b20-4a8e-8340-e798ad731646/mde110172011en.html
Press TV on government suppressing students in Bahrain:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173405.html