UN human rights chief voices concern over continued detention of activists in Bahrain: spokesperson

English.news.cn   2011-05-06

UNITED NATIONS, May 5 (Xinhua) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has voiced "deep concern" about the continued detention of hundreds of activists in Bahrain, a UN spokesperson said here on Thursday.

Pillay also cited the prosecution of scores of medical professionals, and the sentencing to death of four protesters after a closed-door military trial, Farhan Haq, the UN spokesperson, said at a daily briefing.

"The high commissioner said that the application of the death penalty without due process and after a trial held in secrecy is illegal and absolutely unacceptable," Haq said. "She said that the defendants are entitled to fair trials before civil courts, in accordance with international legal standards and in keeping with Bahrain's international human rights obligations."

Pillay also said that she was "particularly worried" regarding reports of the death of at least four persons in custody, according to Haq. "Her office has also received reports of severe torture against human rights defenders who are currently in detention," the spokesperson added.

Pillay said that there must be independent investigations of these cases of death in detention and allegations of torture.

In February and March, Bahrain was swept by anti-government protests, mostly by majority Shiite demanding more political and economic reforms. Some protesters called for bringing down the country's ruling family and establishing a constitutional monarchy.

Editor: yan