As Bahrain gears up to host the Formula One grand prix at the end of this month, protests are flaring up around the capital.<br/> <br />On Friday (April 13), thousands of protesters joined a funeral procession in Salmabad, just outside Manama.<br/> <br />The funeral was for an anti-government protester Ahmed Ismail, who was shot to death during a rally the day before.<br/> <br />His family and opposition members blamed his death on pro-government militia.<br/> <br />Clashes erupted following the funeral.<br/> <br />Protesters were throwing petrol bombs and police used tear gas against them.<br/> <br />Bahrain has become bitterly divided since authorities clamped down on last year's pro-democracy uprising, led mainly by Shi-ites.<br/> <br />A year on, protests continue, often ending in violence.<br/> <br />Protesters are calling for limits to the ruling family's power and an end to sectarian discrimination. Opposition parties are saying the government's promises of reform are merely lip service.<br/> <br />But the Gulf state is keen to show that it's making progress, after it was criticised for its crackdown.<br/> <br />The Formula One event will do a lot to shore up Bahrain's image, but it also highlights concerns on security and human rights violations.<br/> <br />Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
