UN Demands Bahraini Authorities to Release Detainees

The UN's high commissioner for human rights has slammed the Bahraini regime over the dire human rights situation in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

Navi Pillay decried Bahraini regime's imposition of death sentences on anti-government protesters and prosecution of doctors and nurses who have treated those injured by Saudi-backed security forces.

Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the oil-rich Persian Gulf country, she blasted the arrest of "hundreds" of anti-government protesters, and putting on trial at "military courts" 23 doctors and 24 nurses and sentencing to death four protesters, dpa reported late Thursday.

"The trial of civilians before military courts is always a cause of concern," Pillay said from her office in Geneva. "The application of the death sentence without due process and after a trial held in secrecy is illegal and absolutely unacceptable."

Pillay also said that she has received reports of severe torture of human rights defenders who are in custody.

The UN rights chief called for an independent investigation of the cases of the death sentences and torture and also urged Bahrain to immediately release all political detainees.