On Friday 26 May, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) urged the resumption of dialogue in Bahrain, at a time when clashes between security forces and civilians in Duraz (north-west) have claimed several lives and led to hundreds of arrests.
"The EU calls on all parties to resume dialogue and work for national reconciliation in a peaceful and constructive manner in the interest of all Bahraini citizens”, the spokesperson said in a press release, adding that while the Bahraini authorities have the sovereign right, and responsibility, to undertake domestic security operations to ensure the safety of their citizens, they should apply the principle of proportionality when using force. They should also be mindful of the repercussions that an escalation of violence will have for Bahrain's objective of achieving national reconciliation, the EEAS spokesperson added.
The Shia-majority population has for several years opposed the Sunni dynasty in power. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)