y. The recent government protests began with demonstrations demanding the release of Sheikh Ali Salman, a young Shi'ite Moslem cleric arrested when he distributed leaflets signed by some 20,000 people calling for the restoration of the country elected parliament. The government deported Sheikh Salman and two other clergymen early in 1995, followed by other Shi'ite clerics soon after. Over the next several months, there was a series of arrests of Shi'ites and a series of discussions between the clerics and the government, and at the same time calls for the return of an elected parliament continued, with support from Kuwaiti politicians and academics. The situation worsened at the end of 1995 when a percussion bomb exploded at a commercial center, causing damage but no injuries. Bombings would continue into the early months of this year, in time killing several people as well as destroying several structures (Zeidler 1).
Different groups have developed in Bahrain to try to bring about greater political participation. The Bahrain Freedom Movement was founded in 1982 and brought together political activists, intellectuals, and professionals from diverse sections of the society around a dedication to the parliamentary experiment from 1972 to 1975. After the Emir dissolved the parliament at that time, pro-democracy activists went underground. The Bahrain Freedom Movement represents the aspirations of those who seek greater democracy in Bahrain and shares their vision of reviving the rule of constitutional law. The movement is part of a popular and general pro-democracy trend in Bahrain and tries to balance Islamic values with pluralism. The movement believes that a Bahrain ruled by constitutional law is the most secure means for achieving stability and that it can also guarantee the interests of the state while respecting regional and international relationships. Diversification of the economy is essential for the survival of B...