Bahrain admits 'excessive force' against protests

[1]

Bahrain on Monday admitted that ‘excessive force’ was used during a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters earlier this year that left 24 people dead, a government statement said.

"Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees," said the statement, issued two days ahead of a report by an inquiry panel commissioned by King Hamad to probe alleged government misconduct during the February-March crackdown on Shiite-led protests.

Authorities say 24 people, including four policemen, were killed in a month of unrest, while the Shiite-led opposition puts the death toll at 30. Hundreds more were injured.

The statement said authorities have begun prosecuting 20 officers involved in the crackdown, adding that more steps will be taken.

"We cannot condone mistreatment and abuses by our officials. There will be no impunity. All those responsible for abuses will be held accountable," the Bahraini government statement said.

The report by Bahrain's Independent Commission of Inquiry ‘will be very critical of these occurrences and the government's responsibility for failing to prevent them,’ it said.

"The government expects such criticism," it said.

The government also announced amendments to Bahrain's laws -- the penal code will be changed to criminalise all forms of torture and a national independent rights body will be formed.

"These amendments will be accompanied by stricter sentencing for those who commit torture," to bring "our laws on torture in line with international human rights standards," it said.

The Sunni-ruled kingdom had come under wide criticism by rights groups for its crackdown on protests and the severe sentences handed down to activists by a military-run court, which was set up during the unrest.