The march on 10 February 2012 was reportedly organised to protest against the killings of demonstrators, who were calling for reforms, an end to sectarian discrimination and the release of political prisoners.

The appointment was later ruled unlawful due to apparent sectarian discrimination.

Bahrain's Sunni Muslim rulers in March quashed protests led by the island's Shi'ite majority demanding an end to sectarian discrimination and a greater say in government.

Freedom House asserts that political rights suffered as a result of "harassment of opposition political figures," namely "the arrests of prominent members of the Haq political society," and "worsening sectarian discrimination."

The doctors, who denied the charges, were among dozens of medical staff arrested during protests led by the island's Shi'ite majority earlier this year demanding an end to sectarian discrimination and a greater say in government.

"We think that federalism is one of the administrative ways that helps to secure our rights, remove oppression and prevent sectarian discrimination among people of one country and one belief," Mr. Hakim said.

Many parades are seen as sectarian or otherwise offensive and Orange parades in particular have been interpreted as annually re-invigorating sectarian discrimination and denying nationalists their civil and human rights.

(C) Several Sunni and Shia contacts cited the poor work ethic of Bahraini youth, rather than sectarian discrimination, as a factor in unemployment.

His opposition to sectarian discrimination was to cost him his job.

In February 2008 he called for an audit of police officers to combat sectarian discrimination against Catholics.