UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Bahraini government to allow opposition political activists to appeal against their harsh sentences.
A court on Wednesday sentenced eight opposition activists to life in prison for "plotting to overthrow the ruling system."
The Bahraini government also sentenced 13 other activists for up to 15 years in prison on a similar charge.
Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Thursday: "Ban notes with deep concern the harsh sentences, including life imprisonment, handed down in Bahrain against 21 political activists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders."
Nesirky added that Ban also urged government authorities to act “in strict accordance with their international human rights obligations” and ensure the convicts rights to due process and a fair trial.
The UN chief stressed that a national dialogue announced by the king should fulfill the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis.
Meanwhile, the largest party and opposition bloc in Bahrain, the Islamic National Accord Association (Al-Wefaq), condemned the life sentences.
The bloc said it has "received these sentences with shock, especially as they contradict the call for national dialogue" proposed by Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Anti-regime protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's rule over the Persian Gulf sheikdom.
In March, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed military forces to help crush the nationwide protests in the country.
Source : AhlulBayt News Agency
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