From the archive: Conflict in Bahrain

The Bahraini opposition, who have been ground down by the government’s uncompromising policy of repression, responded cautiously to the death of Sheikh Isa. The exiled Bahrain Freedom Movement (BFM), National Liberation Front and Popular Front for the Liberation of Bahrain issued a joint statement calling for calm. They reiterated their demands for the recognition of “legitimate popular demands” and asked for “sincere attempts to open up the political process and to introduce reform through peaceful means.