MANAMA: Hundreds of Bahraini youths shouting anti-government slogans took to the streets in Bahrain despite a heavy police presence on Sunday to mark the fifth anniversary of an uprising calling for political change in the island kingdom.

The 2011 protests in Bahrain, which is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, were the largest of the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations to rock the Gulf Arab states. They were driven by the country’s Shia majority and demanded greater political rights.

Authorities crushed the initial protests after allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sent reinforcements. Many government opponents and rights activists remain behind bars, and the site that was the focal point for the protests is still sealed off by security forces.

The government committed to putting in place a number of reforms in the wake of the unrest, but low-level unrest continues, particularly in communities outside the capital, Manama. Small groups of activists frequently clash with riot police and bombs occasionally target security forces.

Amnesty International said last week that hopes for progress on human rights and holding authorities to account for alleged abuses have faded over the past five years.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2016