UN rights office criticizes Bahrain sentences

The U.N. human rights office on Friday questioned the fairness of a Bahrain court that sentenced an anti-government protester to death and gave lengthy prison sentences to medical staff who treated the injured during the country's uprising.        

Bahrain's military-run National Safety Court reportedly sentenced one protester to death for killing a policeman, and gave 20 doctors and nurses prison sentences ranging from five to 15 years. At least 33 protesters among them union leaders and professional athletes also received sentences of three years or more.     

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon added his concerns in a statement from New York.       

Ban's spokesman, Martin Nesirky, said Friday the U.N. chief is expressing "deep concern" over the harsh sentences and calling for the release of all political detainees. The U.N. chief "reiterates his appeal to the Bahraini authorities at the highest level to ensure the application of due process and respect for international human rights norms," Nesirky said.     

-AP