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Iran reminds Bahrain rights violations make situation more complicated

24 June 2012 00:18 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Iran has warned the government of Bahrain against escalating violence in the Persian Gulf country, saying that human rights violations will only further complicate the existing situation, APA reports quoting Press TV.

Speaking to reporters during his weekly briefing on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast expressed Iran’s concern over armed attacks and direct shots targeting leaders of various opposition groups in Bahrain.

He also condemned continuation of violent measures and suppression of Bahraini peopleâ€™s peaceful demonstrations by the Saudi-backed forces.

Mehmanparast expressed hope the government of Bahrain will change its approach to the peopleâ€™s peaceful protests and instead of violent suppression of demonstrations, pay serious attention to peopleâ€™s legitimate demands.

The spokesman advised the Bahraini government to pave the way for serious dialogue by taking confidence-building measures like releasing political prisoners, and preventing military courts from handing down harsh verdicts against academics and medical staff as well as women and the youth who pursue their natural rights.

On Friday, June 22, Saudi-backed Bahraini forces attacked anti-government protesters in the capital, Manama, injuring several demonstrators, including three senior opposition leaders.

Sheikh Ali Salman, the Secretary General of Bahrain’s main opposition bloc al-Wefaq, Hassan al-Marzooq and Jawad Fairouz, both al-Wefaq figures, were injured during the crackdown.

Salman is reported to be shot in the shoulder and back while Marzooq is shot and wounded in the chest. There was no word on how Fairouz was injured.

Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Scores of people have also been killed and many others have been injured in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain.