The circumstances of death have been contested by the families of the two dead men in Bahrain. On basis of circumstances and the information conveyed by the NGO – “Reporters Without Borders,” Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) called for the investigation. Karim Fakhrawi, the co-founder of Bahrain’s independent newspaper Al-Wasat, died in custody on 12 April, a week after he was arrested. Reporters without Borders (RSF) quotes the authorities as saying that Mr. Fakhrawi died of kidney failure, but “this has been contested by his family, who claims he had been in good health at the time of his arrest.” Also, web writer/blogger Zakariya Rashid Hassan died in detention on 9 April, according to RSF. Hassan “had been arrested a week earlier allegedly on charges of inciting hatred, disseminating false news, promoting sectarianism and calling for the regime’s overthrow.” Hassan’s family also rejected the official explanation of death apparently that he died as a result of complications from sickle cell anaemia. “The circumstances surrounding their deaths are indeed troubling and I urge the authorities of Bahrain to carry out a thorough investigation into these incidents,” Ms. Bokova, stated. “Karim Fakhrawi and Zakariya Rashid Hassan defended the development of a free and pluralistic media, which UNESCO also champions as one of the guarantees for good governance and the respect of human and civic rights,” she added. Director General Bokova joins other UN officials (including the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights) “have voiced concern over the recent violence in Bahrain, where the Government has cracked down on protests similar to those witnessed in other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.,” according to the UN’s own News Release (April 21, 2011) The suppression of the right to freedom of expression was a major concern cited by the UN human rights office last month, as well as the reported arrests of political activists, human rights defenders and medical professionals. The Bahrain Government has not yet formally responded. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Face Book at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – DiplomaticallyX Related Film Reports - Including – Office of Commissioner Human Rights Voices Concern on Bahrain, Yemen & Syria - www.filmannex.com/movie/yemensyriabahrain-protests-un-human-rights-commissioner/25801 News/Blogs at diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_posts