Brussels, 01/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Following her trip to Bahrain, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on all parties on 1 July to refrain from all violence and to work together towards national reconciliation. “A lasting reconciliation process requires a combination of moderation and concrete confidence building steps by everyone, including the release of those arrested in the context of peaceful political activities, to overcome the deep polarisation of Bahraini society”, she said in a press release.
Hailing the positive measures taken by the authorities to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), Ashton encouraged Manama to implement the BICI and Universal Periodic Review recommendations “fully and swiftly”. The EU will provide all the support needed for the achievement of this goal, Ashton added.
Ashton said that she has been following the situation in Bahrain closely since the resurgence of unrest in February 2011, and she explained that she had personally engaged with the authorities of Bahrain, at the highest level, and with civil society. EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis last week met representatives from the government, from the opposition, from non-governmental organisations and also prisoners detained of political activities, Ashton stated.
On 24-25 June, MEPs and human rights organisations called on Ashton to take action on this (see EUROPE 10875). (CG/transl.fl)