Brussels, 11/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU is concerned by the recent rise in violence in Bahrain and on 11 April renewed its calls for restraint. At the same time it called on the authorities to guarantee freedom of association and expression, said the spokesperson for High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton. He stated that the EU “is convinced that all parties should express their grievances within the framework of the ongoing national dialogue, without preconditions, in a spirit of national reconciliation, and considers that gradual confidence building steps are necessary on all sides to restore confidence and ensure that consensual reforms are agreed upon”.
Anti-government demonstrations are continuing in the country. According to the human rights organisation, Human Rights Watch, the Bahraini authorities are currently carrying out “arbitrary” arrests of opposition activists ahead of the forthcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix planned for 19 - 21 April. At least 20 arrests have been made. The discussions that began on 10 February 2013, within the context of the national dialogue, appear to be stalling. (CG/transl.fl)