Bahrain Mirror: 35 UN Human Rights Council member states condemned the recent measures taken by the Bahraini authorities against the political opposition, calling for inclusive reforms to stabilize the country.

The European Union issued a statement at the UNHRC, backed by eight countries, including Britain, expressing concern about the revocation of political dissidents' nationalities.

Slovakia's permanent representative to the HRC, Fedor Rosocha, delivered the statement at the 33rd session of the council. The statement called for achieving stability, reforms, and inclusive reconciliation in Bahrain, and added that the European Union is concerned over the measures adopted against the political opposition in Bahrain.

Moreover, the European Union statement called on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and ill-treatment to visit Bahrain. Mr. Rosocha noted that "The European Union statement was supported by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and the Republic of Macedonia."

For his part, the UK representative at the Human Rights Council announced his country's support of the statement, and said that Britain is also concerned about recent developments in Bahrain, calling on the government of Bahrain to guarantee and protect human rights and freedoms of all citizens.

The following is the European Union statement excerpt on Bahrain:

"Regarding Bahrain, the EU recognizes the challenges that Bahrain faces, and encourages it to aim for stability through reforms and inclusive reconciliation in an environment where peaceful political grievances can be expressed freely, and where violence has no place.

The EU is concerned about the dissolution of the opposition political society Al-Wefaq, the sentencing to 9 years on appeal against its Secretary General Ali Salman and the arrest and travelling bans for human rights activists, including the re-arrest of Mr. Nabeel Rajab. Deprivation of nationality of Bahraini citizens, including prominent figures such as Sheikh Isa Qassim, is also of concern. The EU calls upon all parties to support a more inclusive dialogue and to work together towards national reconciliation and a sustainable political environment.

The EU is also worried about allegations of torture, and welcomes the work of the Special Investigations Unit and Ombudsman to investigate these. The EU calls on Bahraini authorities to extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture."

Arabic Version