العربية
The statement of the Bahraini Ministry of Interior (MoI) is inaccurate and The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urgently demanded to inspect the conditions of prisons and detainees in Bahrain
On 19 October 2017, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) issued a statement in response to the social media information on the violations of prisoners’ rights. The Ministry of Interior has asserted that “The Directorate of Reform and Rehabilitation is carrying out its humanitarian and legal duties of every inmate, with integrity.”
Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human rights (GIDHR) confirms that this statement contradicts the inhuman practices exercised on the detainees in all prisons, in Bahrain. Further, GIDHR emphasize that the administrations of prisons infringe the executive regulations for prisons and detention centres, which in turn violate The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
GIDHR stresses that the detainees in five prisons are deprived of their most basic rights, such as the right to food, visits, communications, education, medical care and religious practice.In addition to the inhuman and degrading practices, and the spread of hate speech by the prisons administrations.
In fact, the prisons administrations are tightening restrictions on prisoners and using 21 methods of torture and ill-treatment, as well as imposing new restrictions on communication
and family visits. GIDHR has received information that on 9 October, the prison administration raided the building where the detained opposition leaders are kept, and searched it in a humiliating manner, for about 3 hours. Moreover, On Monday, 23 October 2017, the family of the detainee Parweez Jawad (70 years old) received a phone call, informing them that he refused to be treated in the hospital because the prison administration had required his hands and legs shackled in chains.
It is also reported that the prisons administrations continue to neglect the conditions of sick prisoners and their need for treatment and medicine, and are still procrastinating the detainees’ treatments.
For instance, the detainee Hassan al-Mushaima has developed cancer, and needs a periodic check, however he is deprived of treatment.
The detainee, Elias Faisal Mulla, is developing Colorectal cancer. Ahmed Mirza is suffering from sickle cell disease and needs permanent care, and he is deprived of treatment.
The detainee Aqil Hassan Jassim Abdul Nabi suffers from epilepsy and from a very bad physical and psychological condition.
Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (GIDHR) reaffirms its urgent appeal to The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to examine the conditions of prisons and detainees in Bahrain. Additionally, GIDHR urges the international community to pressure the government to allow the Special Rapporteurs to visit Bahrain.
Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (GIDHR)
24 October 2017