JNN 13 Aug 2011 Manama : Thousands of Bahraini anti-government protesters have poured into the streets near the capital, Manama, to demand equality and liberty in the country. While the main Opposition Party Al Wifaq have announced to Boycott the By Elections on the seats they have resigned , against the ongoing crackdown on the Peaceful Protesters.

Demonstrators have also called for an elected government and an end to regime discrimination against the opposition’s overwhelming majority.

The mass rally in Abu Quwa, a village west of Manama, is reported to be organized by Bahrain’s influential opposition bloc, al-Wefaq.

Recently released former opposition lawmakers also attended the rally. Jawad Fairooz and Matar Matar, who were detained in May after resigning from parliament in protest at the brutal crackdown on protests, said they had been tortured in prison.

Bahraini protesters have vowed to continue their protests until they achieve their “legal demands.”

Since mid-February, Bahraini protesters have been holding anti-government protests demanding an end to the rule of Al Khalifa dynasty, which they say has instituted despotic governance, discrimination, and the suppression of all dissent.

Manama, backed by Saudi troops, has met the popular protests with a brutal crackdown, killing scores and arresting hundreds.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have harshly criticized Bahrain for its violence against protesters as well as doctors, nurses, lawyers and journalists that expressed support for the protest movement.

Bahrain’s main opposition bloc says it will boycott parliamentary elections to replace the opposition lawmakers who resigned in protest to Manama’s crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Eighteen Bahraini lawmakers from the main Shia opposition party, al-Wefaq, walked out of the parliament in February after security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters, killing and wounding scores of them.

“We decided to boycott because we are no longer convinced of the authority of this parliament,” Reuters quoted Khalil al-Marzouq of al-Wefaq as saying on Friday.

The Bahraini government has barred those lawmakers who resigned from running for the by-elections but said al-Wefaq can nominate new candidates.

According to Bahrain’s Justice Minister Khaled Bin Ali Al Khalifa, the first round of vote to fill the 18 vacant seats in the lower house of parliament (Council of Representatives) will be held on September 24 and the second round on October 1.

Recently released former opposition lawmakers Jawad Fairooz and Matar Matar, who were detained in May soon after losing parliamentary immunity, said they had been tortured in prison.

Meanwhile, thousands of Bahraini anti-government protesters rallied near the capital upon a call by al-Wefaq.

Demonstrators called for equality and liberty in the country. They also demanded an elected government and an end to regime discrimination against the opposition’s overwhelming majority.

Bahraini protesters have vowed to continue their protests until they achieve their ”legal demands”.