U.N. Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has criticized what she called a "military takeover of hospitals" in Bahrain, calling the action "shocking and illegal."
Pillay said Thursday the U.N. had received reports of arbitrary arrests, killings and beatings of protesters and medical personnel.
Sunni rulers are seeking to quell month-long protests by the kingdom's Shi'ite majority and have declared a state of emergency to try to end the uprising.
Pillay urged the government to stop using force against unarmed protesters and allow the injured to get medical treatment. She called on both sides to engage in "immediate" dialogue for meaningful reforms and an end to the violence.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
