Amnesty and other rights groups have expressed
concern over the 'misuse' of tear gas
Bahraini security forces
have fired teargas and stun grenades at protesters gathered ahead of the
first anniversary of pro-democracy demonstrations.
Protesters tried to gain control of the Pearl roundabout in the capital, Manama - the focal point of protests last year.
Thousands of riot police and other security forces have been deployed across the kingdom.
At least 60 people have died since the Shia-led protests began last February.
Demonstrators on Monday evening advanced about 2km (1.5
miles) on Pearl roundabout before they were pushed back by teargas and
rubber bullets, Reuters reports.
"We will not back down,'" said Nader Abdulimam, who sought
shelter in a house with other protesters to get away from the tear gas.
"This has gone on for one year and it will go for another year or more.''
The demonstrators, who are from the Shia majority, are demanding a constutional monarchy in Bahrain.
The government of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa says it is
meeting its commitments to introduce political reforms, correspondents
say.
But the opposition, as well as human rights groups, say little is being done to curb the police.
An independent inquiry was set up by King Hamad after growing
international condemnation of human rights abuses. In a report in
November, it confirmed excessive use of force and systematic torture of
prisoners in detention by security forces.
Last February, protesters occupied the square for a month and
were only driven out after neighbouring Saudi Arabia and other
Sunni-ruled Gulf states dispatched troops to Bahrain to help clear it.
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