Grand Prix doomed as situation in Bahrain deteriorates under continued brutal crackdowns by regime

UN Calls on the Government of Bahrain for Restraint deteriorates
15 February, 2012 – Prensa Latina

(Prensa Latina) United Nations on Wednesday called on the Government of Bahrain for maximum restraint due to the clashes of recent days between government forces and demostrators calling for popular demands.

The warning was made by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a statement released by the UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey.

Ban expressed concern about clashes between security forces and participants in the recent demonstrations in the Arab state.

Ban called on the authorities to act in accordance with its international obligations on human rights and called for the initiation of an inclusive dialogue aimed at meeting the legitimate aspirations of the people, as the only path to peace and stability.

The UN Secretary General also called on the government to implement the recommendations made last November by an independent investigative commission, chaired by Egyptian jurist Cherif Bassiouni.

That investigation determined that the authorities applied excessive use of force against demonstrations in February and March 2011, killing 35 civilians, and also denounced acts of torture, illegal trials and confessions obtained under duress.

Soon after, a team of the UN Human Rights Council visited Bahrain and found the existence of a deep mistrust to government, said the High Commissioner in that matter, Navi Pillay.

According to press reports, more than 10 000 people protested on Tuesday in Manama against the monarchy of the Al-Khalifa family, who leads the minority Sunni population of the kingdom. …source