Petition organized by the National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture calling on King Hamad to alleged torturers to justice, and give reparations to victims.
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain:
May peace and blessing of Allah be upon you.
Petition organized by the National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture calling on King Hamad to alleged torturers to justice, and give reparations to victims.
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain:
May peace and blessing of Allah be upon you.
We submit to your Majesty a number of national demands concerning the martyrs of Bahrain and the victims of torture, basing our demands on Allah’s commands on punishing assaulters as He stated “ .. life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and for wounds there shall be reprisal ..” and as He stated “In the law of equality (punishment) there is saving of life to you, O you men of understanding..”.
Also, based on Article 19 – D of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and based on the National Action Charter – Article 3 in Chapter one “Law ensures punishment of those who commit an offense of torture, a physically or psychologically harmful act.”
Moreover, following the ‘Convention Against Torture .. ’ that was ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain and became part of its national legislation which articulates in article 4: “each State Party shall ensure that all acts of torture are offences under its criminal law. The same shall apply to an attempt to commit torture and to an act by any person which constitutes complicity or participation in torture ” and Article 13: “Each State Party shall ensure that any individual who alleges he has been subjected to torture in any territory under its jurisdiction has the right to complain to and to have his case promptly and impartially examined its competent authorities.”
And in recognition to the ‘Vienna Declaration’ that was adopted in World Conference on Human Rights – 1993 which recommends states of the world to ‘.. abrogate legislation leading to impunity for those responsible for grave violations of human rights such as torture and prosecute such violations, thereby providing a firm basis for the rule of law.’
Furthermore, based on the demands of your people, which was expressed in different ways, to support your reform plan, and to change the previous status of the country, where people of Bahrain suffered from, many were killed, and thousands were subjected to torture and degrading treatment; all these have created a huge national wound that cannot be cured except by applying the Sharia (religious law); the Kingdom of Bahrain Constitution; the National Action Charter; and the international treaties.
Based on the aforementioned, we demand from your Majesty:
- Nullification of the Royal Decree 56-2002.
- Investigation in all murder and torture cases by a national committee consisting of individuals from judiciary, and representative from human rights & political societies.
- Bring all those who have committed murder or torture to justice in accordance to the international standards.
- Recognition for all martyrs and considering them as National Martyrs. Also compensate their families.
- Compensation for all victims of torture; and rehabilitation for those who are still suffering from torture.
May God succeed your Majesty in directing the country’s boat and in pursuing the rights of your people.
May peace and blessing of Allah be upon you.
National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture
25th January 2003