Brussels, 29/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative Catherine Ashton has urged the justice authorities in Bahrain to act in full transparency and in line with international standards, as trials continue of people detained during a wave of protests there that started in February. “As the appeal hearings begin, the High Representative calls for them to be carried out in full transparency and respect of Bahrain's own laws, as well as the international norms Bahrain has signed up to”, she said in a statement on 29 June. “It is essential that Bahrain ensures adequate detention conditions and medical care. All detainees, including European nationals, should also be permitted consular access where relevant and be allowed to receive family visits”. Her appeal came after EU leaders, at a summit last week, expressed concern about the trials and sentencing procedures. Forty-eight doctors and nurses were among hundreds arrested during democracy protests in March, mainly involving people from the Shiite majority, in a crackdown by the Gulf kingdom's Sunni rulers. Many were due to face military trials. Human rights groups have also condemned the arrests. (LoC)