RIGHTS groups yesterday demanded access to inmates who launched a hunger strike at Bahrain’s central prison on Sunday.
The inmates at Jaw Prison are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise periods and cell doors to be left open until midnight.
One rights group said prison visits had been cancelled as a result of the protest and accused guards of using heavy-handed tactics to bring inmates under control on Monday.
RIGHTS groups yesterday demanded access to inmates who launched a hunger strike at Bahrain’s central prison on Sunday.
The inmates at Jaw Prison are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise periods and cell doors to be left open until midnight.
One rights group said prison visits had been cancelled as a result of the protest and accused guards of using heavy-handed tactics to bring inmates under control on Monday.
However, the Interior Ministry yesterday branded inmates’ demands as “illegal” and said police had no choice but to use force to prevent a riot.
“Some of the inmates went on a hunger strike and refused to listen to direct orders,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Police tried to use peaceful and modern methods to control the situation before it escalated and to restore order, but there was no positive response from the inmates.
“They refused to listen to reason and they started breaking chairs and tables in the dining area to use as sharp objects in order to fight the policemen.
“Their demands are illegal because they consisted of keeping the cell doors open until midnight, extending exercise hours until late at night and allowing them to possess dangerous tools such as shaving razors.”
The ministry warned legal action would be taken against unruly inmates, saying the prison provided a daily programme from 3.15am to 8.45pm – which included prayer times, meals, televisions, phone calls and use of a gym.
However, two Bahraini rights groups yesterday demanded access to the prison – with one even contacting the United Nations (UN) to express its concern over the welfare of inmates.
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, which wrote to the UN High Commission for Human Rights asking it to intervene on behalf of the prisoners, claimed the hunger strike followed allegations of mistreatment.
“We will continue our efforts to investigate the matter and pressure the government to intervene,” said society president Mohammed Al Maskati.
“We have already contacted the UN and requested they send an urgent appeal to pressurise the Bahraini government to intervene.”
Mr Al Maskati also claimed police used excessive force to bring inmates under control.
“The inmates wanted authorities to improve their situation, but unfortunately police used excessive force the following day to stop the strike,” he alleged.
“The ill treatment doesn’t just mean physical abuse, but it also covers all the rights of inmates.
“Later on, prison officials called the majority of the inmates’ relatives informing them that visits had been cancelled because the prisoners caused chaos.
“This is not the first time there have been claims of mistreatment inside the prison, where five years ago the situation escalated so much that prisoners took over the prison.
“That’s why there should be an immediate intervention.”
Meanwhile, the Bahrain Human Rights Society – which conducted the first independent prison inspections in Bahrain in December 2005 – said it was following the situation closely.
“The best thing to do at the moment is for prison officials to sit down with the inmates and review how they can meet their demands,” said society secretary-general Dr Abdulla Al Derazi.
“The inmates need to select a representative to carry out the negotiations, while authorities should involve an independent body – such as an NGO – to monitor the talks.”
After its visit to Jaw Prison the society submitted a list of recommendations to improve conditions, but it is unknown whether they were implemented.
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