Bahrain: Kidnap and Assault of a Young Boy after his Release among the Royal Pardon
24 May 2009
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights expresses its deep concern regarding the information received on the assault of Sayed Adnan Sayed Majeed – 16 years of age – after he was kidnapped by a group of people wearing civilian clothes near his home in Hamad Town, south of the country.
Bahrain: Kidnap and Assault of a Young Boy after his Release among the Royal Pardon
24 May 2009
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights expresses its deep concern regarding the information received on the assault of Sayed Adnan Sayed Majeed – 16 years of age – after he was kidnapped by a group of people wearing civilian clothes near his home in Hamad Town, south of the country.
Sayed Adnan left Salmaniya hospital after he was treated and proved to have bruises in his neck. Sayed Adnan had informed the representatives of the BYSHR that on 21 May at 3:30 am, while he was near his home, two men wearing civilian clothes and masks to cover their faces attacked him. The two covered up his head by using a cover. He tried to resist but he failed to escape. They then forced him into a car with two others in it. He was taken to a remote area that is almost 15 minutes away, then he was beaten first on his back then was assaulted with shoes for almost 30 minutes. He was then asked for the reason he goes to pray in Al-Saddiq mosque, and where the prayer is led by Hasan Mushaimea, president of Haq Movement. He was threatened to be taken next time to the “Qalaa” and not to the Criminal Investigation building. Unknown people then returned him to an open area near his home.
The family of Sayed Adnan informed the BYSHR that at around 4:50 am they heard loud knocks on their front door, and their neighbour told them he saw their son in the open area near the home and that he is in a dreadful state. He was immediately transferred from the open area to hospital by ambulance.
Sayed Adnan assured that he spent one day after leaving hospital – 21 May – between the security center and the Public Prosecution where he refused to file a complaint, but the insistence of the Prosecutor enquired him to make a complaint. The security center refused at first to record the report on his threat, and asked him to repeat the report several times.
Sayed Adnan was pursued by the National Security Agency for a month in which he disappeared from his family, and in which the Security Forces broke into his home several times in search for him. On 28 February, he returned to his home where his father handed him over to the Public Prosecution and who accused him of burning a private car that belongs to the Ministry of Interior, which had civil security men in it as well as assaulting a security man. He was released on 12 April 2009 among the Royal Pardon decision.
The kidnap and assault incident against persons who were arrested recently is the second in one month. Please refer to the joint statement on 19 May 2009 on the assault of the human rights defender Jaffar Kadhim Ibrahim. http://byshr.org/?p=154, http://www.bchr.net/ar/node/2891
The BYSHR reminds that Sayed Adnan had not yet turned 18, which means that he is still a child according to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Bahrain had acceded to, and which holds the authorities additional responsibilities. The BYSHR demands:
– Initiating an immediate, fair and comprehensive investigation in the kidnap and assault of Sayed Adnan Sayed Majeed and to announce the results to the public and to bring those responsible to trial.
– Investigate the previous similar cases and which indicate a pattern of assaults, probably involving the Security Services, and to put an end to the impunity to those who carry out those violations and to reform the security institutions in order for them to play their role in guaranteeing rights and not violating and infringing them.
For more information:
Nader Al-Salatna – Vice-president of the BYSHR
+973 – 39596196 or naderalsalatna@byshr.org