Terrifying Testimonies about Torture and Unethical Cover-Up from the Public Prosecution
The Public Prosecution is trying to justify the Torture Marks with the Detainees Attempt to Escape Prison
Archived photo of protests against torture in Bahrain
3 September 2010
The terrifying testimonies and horrific complaints filed by the victims of political activists, human rights defenders and clerics before the Public Prosecution, which were received by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, warns of the beginning of a new era of deterioration of the conditions of human rights in Bahrain. As far as the nature of torture is concerned and the social symbolism of the groups targeted with this torture, there is a rapid growth of using groundless tactics of systematic persecution which the BCHR has never perceived before.
Terrifying Testimonies about Torture and Unethical Cover-Up from the Public Prosecution
The Public Prosecution is trying to justify the Torture Marks with the Detainees Attempt to Escape Prison
Archived photo of protests against torture in Bahrain
3 September 2010
The terrifying testimonies and horrific complaints filed by the victims of political activists, human rights defenders and clerics before the Public Prosecution, which were received by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, warns of the beginning of a new era of deterioration of the conditions of human rights in Bahrain. As far as the nature of torture is concerned and the social symbolism of the groups targeted with this torture, there is a rapid growth of using groundless tactics of systematic persecution which the BCHR has never perceived before.
The methods of torture used against the most recent detainees as opposed to the previous captives such as activists and human rights defenders were subjected to, was severe torture that exceeded anything the BCHR had documented before. The features and complexion of the body of the detainee Salman Naji, member of the Committee of the Unemployed, is disfigured due to the severity of the continuous torture and brutal beatings with hands, legs and unidentified weapons, which caused him to be fully maimed in one of his hands and fingers losing most of the ability to feel with them, the ability to move and use them. He was also injured with deep wounds that almost reached the bones around his wrists and ankles due to the long period of being hanged with cuffs. This left clear forensic evidence of ongoing beatings on his body leaving parts of his skin black, blue and red marks. Jaffar Hisabi (a person of dual citizenship, Bahraini and British) complained from being hung by his hands, also known as the Falaqa way, which caused his legs to swell and pieces of his skin to peel off. This caused his hands to become numb; nerves and tissues were torn and damaged, again from the severity of beatings and torture. He was blindfolded and handcuffed the entire time of the arrest and torture. He was sleep deprived for consecutive days, and he was beaten in the head, back, and legs with a plastic rod. The brothers, Ahmed and Ali Jawad Al-Fardan from the Committee of Defenders for the Karzakan Detainees, complained that they suffered severe torture, especially physical torture. The deep visible wound that almost reached the bone surrounding the feet of Ali Jawad were caused by the unnecessary cuffs tightly sealed around them the entire time. His brother Ahmed Jawad passed out several times because of increase in blood sugar and blood pressure due to the torture and forcing him to stay awake for five days in a row. The torture marks and torture wounds were also apparent on his knees and feet as well. As for Abdul-Ameer Al-Aradi, he was forced to stand for 14 continuous hours depriving him from sleep for two days. Like the other detainees, he was tortured and stepped on while lying on the ground. The detainee and former member of the Committee of Unemployed, Hasan Al-Haddad was transferred while handcuffed to the Military Hospital together with the National Security men, and he is still in the Military Hospital, heavily guarded, visits prohibited. It is unknown as to what the reasons are that are causing the need for hospitalization. Sheikh Abdullah Mirza Al-Mahroos was severely beaten on the head with a rubber rod injuring one of his eyes. He was transferred to a hospital more than six times to receive treatment and to conceal the torture marks on him. Al-Mahroos complained about being handcuffed and blindfolded the entire time of his arrest in solitary confinement, also complaining about the punching and kicking on different parts of his body and forcing him to stand for a full day depriving him from sleep for several hours. Sheikh Abdul-Hadi Al-Mukhodur spoke to the Chief Prosecutor about a period of ninety continuous hours of torture. The torture was divided between hanging him the Falaqa way, forcing him to stand for days, beating him with a plastic rod and kicking him all over his body mainly on his head.
To the right: Activist Jaffar Hisabi and to the left:BCHR member, Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahlawi
The BCHR member, Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahlawi was subjected to severe torture as he was repeatedly beaten and punched all over his body hanging by his hands and then hung in the Falaqa way. He was also slapped continuously on the face until he fell on the edge of the table from the severity of the abuse. During this process he was blindfolded, which doubled the pain of torture. He also complained to the Chief Prosecutor about the severe pain in his knee and fingers. The interrogation with him concentrated on his work with the “illegitimate” organization, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.
In a clear conspiracy with the National Security Apparatus, the Public Prosecution reports that the torture marks on the detainees is a result of their attempt to flee prison. They even extracted testimonies from confrontations with security guards. How is the public opinion to be convinced of that at a time when all the detainees are handcuffed and blindfolded since the moment of their arrests, and are detained in solitary cells.
All the detainees stated that they did not know who was arresting or interrogating them or the place they were taken to. All the victims spoke about the period that preceded taking them to the detention centers or Public Prosecution, where the interrogators tried to conceal their wounds quickly by using oils and powders to conceal the torture marks; however, due to the severity of these wounds most of them were still visible when they arrived at the Public Prosecution. All the detainees were surprised to be taken to the Public Prosecution without their knowledge, and their lawyers were only informed a few hours before the investigation began, in violation to all the procedures that require that the lawyer is informed at least a day before. In the interrogation room, the lawyers were prohibited from staying alone with their clients, and even in the interrogation room the lawyers were forced to sit behind the detainees, so that there is no eye-contact with the detainees.
In parallel with the arrests, the kidnappings continued and all the demonstrations and protests which requested authorization were banned. The unauthorized demonstrations were subjugated with severe force and tens of electronic websites and forums were closed down, including the website “Al-Wefaq”, the largest political society in Bahrain. All the political and human rights societies, including those registered, were threatened with taking legal action against them according to their position, publications and media articles published by them. The BCHR will release detailed reports about that attack on public liberties and human rights.
Based on the above, the BCHR calls upon all the concerned bodies, including the local and international associations and organizations to seek the Bahraini Authorities and demand the following:
1. To immediately present all the detainees to an independent medical committee, to examine their health and mental state;
2. To immediately stop the systematic torture by the National Security Apparatus, and to dissolve it; presenting its officials to a fair trial, and to redress the victims from its violations;
3. To allow the detainees to contact and meet their families, and to hold regular and private meetings with their lawyers, as that is a part of their fundamental rights and it will keep the torture from persisting;
4. To release all the detainees, including the activists and human rights defenders because they have been arrested based on reasons related to them practicing their fundamental rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembling which are guaranteed to them by international laws;
5. An immediate stop on implementing of the Anti-Terrorist Law which allows arbitrary detention, torture, and unjust trials, all of which has been openly condemned by the UN and international organizations;
6. To stop the media campaign that is inciting hatred pushing the country towards sectarian clashes;
7. To stop publishing the names and photos of detainees in the Bahraini newspapers, as the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.
8. To start a serious and real political reform to resolve all the outstanding human rights cases related to civil and political rights along with their the economical, social and cultural rights.