Bahrain Mirror: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, warned about "the gravity of the situation" in Bahrain, reiterating his Office's readiness to support and assist with "any genuine effort to address the situation" in the island kingdom.

"Since June 2016, the government of Bahrain has imposed severe restrictions on civil society and political activism through arrests, intimidation, travel bans and closure orders, with increasing reports of torture by the security authorities," said Al Hussein in his opening statement for the Human Rights Council 36th session in Geneva.

"Today, the democratic space in the country has essentially been shut down," he added, highlighting that he has "repeatedly drawn the attention of the authorities to the gravity of the situation in the Kingdom, in conjunction with many human rights mechanisms and joint statements by Member States."

"I have also repeatedly offered the support of my Office to assist with practical improvements, he stressed, noting that these efforts; however, were "met with point-blank denials, unfounded accusations and unreasonable last-minute conditions to technical missions."

The High Commissioner further stated that "no public relations campaign can paper over the violations being inflicted on the people of Bahrain."

"They deserve real respect for their human rights, and I continue to offer the assistance of my Office to any genuine effort to address the situation."

Arabic Version