Bahrain Mirror-Exclusive: The European Union called on the Bahraini authorities to extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, expressing its concern about deterioration of situations in Bahrain.

In a statement on the 33rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the EU said that "it 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," it added.

It continued "Deprivation of nationality of Bahraini citizens, including prominent figures such as Sheikh Isa Qassim, is also of concern."

The EU called upon all parties to support a more inclusive dialogue and to work together towards national reconciliation and a sustainable political environment.

It welcomed the work of the Special Investigations Unit and Ombudsman to investigate allegations of torture. The EU said it is worried about allegations of torture, calling on Bahraini authorities to extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture.

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