العربية
Bahrain Forum for Human Rights (BFHR) issued a report on “Arbitrary Detention and the Deterioration of Prison Conditions,” prepared for the Universal Periodic Review of the human rights situation in Bahrain, which is to be held in 2017, in which it assessed the implementation of the recommendations made in the previous Periodic Review, and the causes of concern that have developed on the ground, in topics related to arbitrary arrests, torture, and ill-treatment, during the period between the end of May 2012 until early March 2016.
The report noted that the Bahraini authorities did not implement the recommendations that urge them to drop the charges against the persons convicted of exercising the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and to release them immediately. In addition, the Bahraini authorities did not implement the recommendations that urge them to repeal or amend the national legislations, which restrict the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
The report also pointed out that the Bahraini authorities continue to arbitrarily arrest political activists, human rights defenders, persons active in the media field, and others who are affiliated with the opposition for exercising freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It revealed, in the same regard, the Bahraini authorities’ failure to ensure fair trials for individuals.
The report concluded with a series of recommendations, including urging the Bahraini authorities to admit that there are prisoners who were convicted only for exercising freedom of expression or peaceful assembly and release them immediately; to respond to the visit request of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and adopt its opinions issued since 2012 regarding releasing some of the victims or compensate them; in addition to other recommendations.