13 May 2011 –
United Nations human rights officials today voiced deep concern about the situation in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, where rights violations have escalated as governments respond to ongoing protests for greater democracy and reform with deadly crackdowns.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Rupert Colville said today that OHCHR continues to receive disturbing reports that hundreds of people detained in connection with Bahrain’s protest movement – including medical professionals, opposition politicians and human rights defenders – are being denied their legal rights to due process.
13 May 2011 –
United Nations human rights officials today voiced deep concern about the situation in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, where rights violations have escalated as governments respond to ongoing protests for greater democracy and reform with deadly crackdowns.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Rupert Colville said today that OHCHR continues to receive disturbing reports that hundreds of people detained in connection with Bahrain’s protest movement – including medical professionals, opposition politicians and human rights defenders – are being denied their legal rights to due process.
“We have worrying reports of severe torture and that, so far, four detainees have died while in custody,” he said.
“We reiterate our call for prompt, impartial and transparent investigations into these allegations of grave human rights violations. We are deeply concerned about the reported scale of arbitrary detention and of the trials of civilians before military courts leading to life imprisonment and death sentences, which we have already said is illegal.”
Mr. Colville said reports indicated that peaceful demonstrations may take place today in Bahrain and he urged security forces not to use force against the protesters.
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