For three days, thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators occupied public places in the capital, in particular the "pearl" roundabout, calling for a change of government and an end to the rule of the Al Khalifa family. On the night of 17 February 2011, police and the military violently attacked the protestors camped out at the roundabout, leading to the death of at least 4 individuals and the injuring of more than 250 others. The police used batons, fired rubber bullets and bird shotguns into the crowd which included children and women.

The roundabout was cleared by the military and on Friday morning was the scene of a heavy military presence. The protests continued around Manama hospital and alongside the funeral of those killed the previous night. Reports were received that these protests were again being violently attacked, this time with live ammunition.

Alkarama is communicating this information to the United Nations Special Rapporteurs calling for the protection of the Bahraini population and an immediate end to the violent attacks on the peaceful demonstrations.