UN, human rights group condemn Bahrain violence

[News_Editor]

UN, human rights group condemn Bahrain violence

2011-03-18 01:04:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

(BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations human rights chief on Thursday voiced alarm over the escalation of violence in Bahrain after authorities intensified a crackdown against demonstrators.

Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, particularly condemned the takeover of hospitals and medical centers in the country, saying that it was "shocking and a blatant violation of international law."

"My office has been receiving desperate calls and emails from numerous individuals in Bahrain, terrified about the armed forces' intentions," Pillay said in a press release.

"There are reports of arbitrary arrests, killings, beatings of protesters and of medical personnel, and of the takeover of hospitals and medical centres by various security forces. These reportedly include Bahraini police, defence forces and troops from the Gulf Cooperation Council's Peninsula Shield Force," she added.

Pillay said there were reports that electricity at the main hospital in the capital was cut on Wednesday and that security personnel were physically attacking medical workers, and preventing staff and patients from entering or leaving.

Medical personnel in Bahrain told staff of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) yesterday that critically injured patients who were dependent on ventilators might die unless power was quickly restored.

The country is gripped by further violence after Saudi Arabian and UAE forces entered the small Gulf state three days ago and Bahrain's King declared a national state of emergency. At least 20 people have been killed in the protests, which began in mid-February and call for an end to the monarchy.

Amnesty International on Thursday also revealed evidence of abuses by Bahraini security forces against protesters, as fresh violence left as many as eight people dead. 



The organization documented how security forces used live ammunition and extreme force against protesters in February without warning. Some of the ammunition found in the aftermath of the raid on Pearl Roundabout on 17 February include US-made tear gas canisters, US-made 37mm rubber multi-baton rounds, French-made tear gas grenades, and French-made rubber "dispersion" grenades.



Amnesty International called on governments who supply weapons to Bahrain to immediately suspend the transfer of weapons. The UK government revoked some licenses for arms exports, and the French authorities suspended the export of security equipment to the country. 


Earlier on Wednesday, the Bahrain Defence Force announced it would impose a 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew for central Manama. It also said gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and sit-ins would not be allowed anywhere in the country "until the situation is back to normal."

The country's social unrest began after protesters called for a "Day of Rage" on February 14 to mark the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter, which returned the country to constitutional rule after the 1990s uprisings. Initially, people took to the streets to demand reform and the introduction of a constitutional monarchy, but later they began to call for the removal of the royal family.

Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, is ruled by the Sunni Muslim al-Khalifa family, but two-thirds of the population are Shiite. In recent years, younger Shiites have staged violent protests to complain about discrimination, unemployment and corruption.

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