UN Rights Chief Urges Probe of Protestor Deaths in Bahrain

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Friday issued a statement saying, "I urge the Government to investigate the events of 23 May, in particular the loss of lives, to ensure that the findings are made public and that those responsible are held accountable."
 
Reports that those who died were buried without the consent of their families were also disturbing, the High Commissioner said, adding that loved ones must be allowed to perform funerals in line with their customs and traditions.
 
The High Commissioner also called on the authorities to release any individuals being detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Those suspected of crimes should be treated with full respect for their rights, including to due process.
 
In addition ton to five activists who were killed on May 23 Al Khalifa regime forces detained over 280 and injured hundreds protesters who were holding sit-in outside home of Bahraini Shiite's spiritual leader Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim.  
 
Zeid expressed particular concern that the violence and arrests occurred as part of a wider crackdown on dissent in the country.
 
"Human rights defenders working in Bahrain reportedly continue to face restrictions, intimidation, interrogations, and detentions and travel bans," Zeid said. "I urge Bahrain to choose a different path - one of engagement and dialogue, as well as accountability for violence, regardless of the perpetrator. My Office stands ready to offer technical assistance and advice on the promotion and protection of human rights in Bahrain," he went on to say.
 
 The Bahraini regime buried the protesters killed by its forces in Diraz without handing over their bodies to their families.
 
In a statement on Sunday, two days after burying the bodies of the five people who were killed in the Diraz attack on May 23, the Bahraini Interior Ministry admitted to burying the killed civilians without handing over their bodies to their families for them to decide how they would like to hold their funerals and burial.