Activists call for attacks on health professionals in Middle East to be fully investigated

Assaults on healthcare workers and invasion of hospitals by security forces suppressing protests in Bahrain and elsewhere in the Middle East have drawn widespread criticism.

Navi Pillay, the United Nations’ high commissioner for human rights, condemned reports of “arbitrary arrests, killings, beatings of protesters and of medical personnel, and of the takeover of hospitals and medical centres by various security forces” in Bahrain.

She said, “This is shocking and illegal conduct. Police and armed forces must immediately leave healthcare facilities and cease their harassment and intimidation of health professionals.”

She added, “Reports that government forces blocked ambulances from transporting injured civilians to medical facilities on 15 and 16 March are very disturbing. Governments are …