Ban Concerned on Harsh Bahraini Sentences

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Thursday the Bahraini regime to allow political activists involved in the opposition movement to appeal their harsh sentences.

"Ban notes with deep concern the harsh sentences, including life imprisonment, handed down in Bahrain against 21 political activists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders," Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky said.
Nesirky said that Ban also urged government authorities to act "in strict accordance with their international human rights obligations and ensure the convicts rights to due process and a fair trial."

"The U.N. chief stressed that a national dialogue announced by the king should fulfill the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis", Nesirky said.

The Bahraini courts sentenced eight opposition activists to life in prison as well as13 other activists for up to 15 years on the charge of "plotting to overthrow the ruling system."