Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, issued the following statement on 30 September 2011:
“I would like to express my deep concern about the recent trials of civilians in Bahrain’s Courts of National Safety. Harsh prison sentences have just been reconfirmed against medical personnel, teachers, opposition and political activists. I urge the Bahraini authorities to fulfil their promises and bring the use of these courts to an immediate end. Further appeals should be heard transparently and fairly in regular courts in full accordance with Bahrain’s own laws and international obligations. I also want to condemn the use of the death sentence and call on Bahrain to re-establish a moratorium on its use.
These sentences risk further exacerbating tensions in Bahrain. I reiterate my call for dialogue between the regime and the opposition, as the only way to promote national reconciliation.
