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UN chief "concerned" about violence in Bahrain

15 February 2012 22:11 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday expressed his concern over violence in the Gulf nation of Bahrain, calling on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint," APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"The secretary-general is concerned about reports of clashes in Bahrain between security forces and demonstrators over the past few days," said a statement released here on Wednesday by Ban’s spokesman, adding Ban expects the Bahraini authorities to "act in accordance with their international human rights obligations".

The statement said Ban favors "a genuine, all-inclusive, and meaningful dialogue" to meet the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis and promote peace and stability in the country.

Protests against the government in Bahrain began in February 2011 and have since resulted in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. In June 2011, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa initiated the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which was tasked with investigating allegations of human rights abuses over the course of the protests.

"The secretary-general reiterates his call on the Bahraini authorities to do everything possible to expedite the implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, especially its provisions aimed at effective confidence-building measures," said the statement.