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U.N. reviews situation in Bahrain

Opposition protesters run to cover after being fired upon by police during an opposition march in Riffa, Bahrain, south of the capital Manama on March 11, 2011. UPI/Isa Ebrahim
Opposition protesters run to cover after being fired upon by police during an opposition march in Riffa, Bahrain, south of the capital Manama on March 11, 2011. UPI/Isa Ebrahim | License Photo

MANAMA, Bahrain, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The Sunni-led monarchy in Bahrain is marching forward with an admirable plan for national reconciliation, the president of the U.N. General Assembly said.

Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, a Qatari diplomat and current president of the U.N. General Assembly, met in Manama with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa to review the human rights situation in the country.

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Nasser called on the Bahraini monarchy to uphold recommendations spelled out by an independent commission reviewing the kingdom's response to a Shiite uprising last year. Manama, he added, was taking "a step in the right direction" through a series of reforms.

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry concluded state security forces used unnecessary lethal force during a crackdown on Shiite demonstrators. Bahrain said it was reviewing recommendations made in the 513-page report.

Washington and members of the human rights community took notice this month when a rights advocate in Bahrain claimed he was roughed up by riot police.

At least 40 people died during the uprising and the commission said at least nine deaths were attributable to the country's Interior Ministry.

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