Bahrain’s largest opposition group on Tuesday dismissed a government statement acknowledging "instances" of abuse.

Bahrain's largest opposition group on Tuesday dismissed a government statement acknowledging "instances" of abuse, saying the repression of anti-government protesters is "systematic."

Meanwhile, three rights groups issued a report documenting acts of repression, on the eve of the planned release of a report by an independent commission of inquiry into the kingdom's crackdown on the peaceful protests.

The opposition Al-Wefaq said in a statement the government is trying to escape responsibility for "violations leading to numerous fatalities and hundreds of injuries on junior security personnel."

The Wefaq statement said the February and March bloody crackdown on protesters was "systematic" and the result of a "planned" government policy.

Al-Wefaq argued that the sheer number and nature of "abuses could not have taken place without prior knowledge and consent of influential officials," adding that the "ultimate responsibility lies with the top decision makers rather than junior officials and soldiers."

On Monday, the Manama government acknowledged there had been "instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees," and said 20 officers are being prosecuted.

Authorities say 24 people, including four policemen, were killed in the month-long peaceful revolution, while the opposition puts the death toll at 30. Hundreds more were injured and detained.

International rights organizations have repeatedly accused the government of violating citizens' rights, citing allegations of torture, unfair trials, excessive use of force and violent repression.

The local rights groups reported 1,500 cases of arbitrary arrest, 1,866 of torture, 2,710 summary sackings and said 477 students have been expelled for allegedly taking part in the uprising.