BBC: The UN human rights chief has condemned the "shocking" use of force by security forces against protesters in Bahrain.
Navi Pillay said reports of a military takeover of hospitals was a blatant violation of international law.
She urged the authorities to rein in their forces, citing reports of people being beaten and detained or killed.
At least six opposition figures have reportedly been detained in overnight raids in Bahrain, and soldiers are back on the streets of the capital, Manama.
A crackdown on anti-government protesters in the city's centre left at least three civilians and three police officers dead on Wednesday.
Riot police sealed off Manama's main hospital and some smaller health centres, and rights activists said medics were being beaten as they tried to help the wounded in the streets.
"There are 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," Ms Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, wrote in a statement released on Thursday.
"This is shocking and illegal conduct."
Earlier, the government said it had taken over the hospital because it had become a stronghold of the opposition. (+ video) » | Thursday, March 17, 2011
