News - Middle East: Families of political detainees in Bahrain organized sit-ins in several towns in Bahrain to demand the release of prisoners of conscience. The sit-in was held in the towns of Maameer, Damistan, Karzakan, Al-Sahla, West Manama and Al-Malikiyah.

The people chanted slogans and raised banners condemning the repressive policies that led to the arrest of thousands of Bahrainis in light of their expression of their opinions and their demand for their rights, which were confiscated by the Bahraini authorities.

It is noteworthy that hundreds of political prisoners are still languishing in Bahrain's prisons in poor sanitary conditions, where infectious diseases are rampant, with the absence of necessary health care.

On March 5, 2017, Bahrain’s parliament approved the trial of civilians at military tribunals in a measure blasted by human rights campaigners as being tantamount to the imposition of an undeclared martial law countrywide.

King Hamad ratified the constitutional amendment on April 3, 2017.

Bahrain has come under pressure from human rights organizations over its prison conditions, including overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of medical care.

Back in April, Bahrain’s most prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim said drawing up a new constitution was the only way out of the political crisis in the protest-hit tiny kingdom, urging the regime in Manama to pursue an agreement with the Bahraini opposition instead of increasingly suppressing dissent.

Demonstrations have been held in Bahrain on a regular basis ever since a popular uprising began in mid-February 2011.

The participants demand that the Al Khalifah regime relinquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.

Manama, however, has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent.

On June 14, 2016, the Bahraini Justice Ministry suspended the activities of al-Wefaq, and on July 17, 2016, the Bahraini High Administrative Court ordered the dissolution of the opposition party and the seizure of its funds.