17th Nov 2012
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses grave concern regarding the continuing arrest of injured persons from hospitals and the continued use of systematic torture to extract confessions. The latest case is that of Hussain Shamsan Mohammed, 25 years old.
17th Nov 2012
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses grave concern regarding the continuing arrest of injured persons from hospitals and the continued use of systematic torture to extract confessions. The latest case is that of Hussain Shamsan Mohammed, 25 years old.
Hussain Shamsan was reportedly sitting outside his home on the 2nd of November 2012 when approximately 20 people where gathered, (men women and children), when approximately 20 riot police jeeps attacked them using the pellet shotgun. Shamsan was hit with pellets in his eye, chest, waist and legs and went the next day to a government hospital in Muharraq. Upon arrival at the hospital Shamsan was reportedly handcuffed and transferred from the hospital to the Samaheej police station despite injuries.
After being taken from the hospital without treatment, Hussain Shamsan was disappeared for four days, after which his family found out that he had been taken to the Dry Docks prison.
Part of Shamsan’s injuries due to pellets
According to information received by the BCHR, Shamsan was told that if he provided information on the whereabouts of the Oun brothers he would be released (please refer to January appeal for Hassan Oun before he was released: http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/4943). When he said he had no information, he was given a document to sign stating that he had attacked a police officer on dates in which he had been working as a referee in football matches. When Shamsan informed the officer of this, the officer left the room and came back with the same document but different dates. Shamsan was reportedly tortured using electrocution and being beaten with an iron rod. He was also continuously threatened, and was forced to sign the document presented to him. Officer Nawaf AlHashel reportedly threatened Hussain Shamsan with death, calling himself "the butcher" several times. Officer Nawaf AlHashel was also reportedly involved in the torture endured by Shamsan.
Officer Nawaf AlHashel
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights believes that the continuation of the use of torture and arrest of injured persons from hospitals is directly related to the culture of impunity practiced in Bahrain by the authorities. The lack of accountability for those who commit crimes in Bahrain by the authorities, and the lack of accountability for the Bahraini authorities internationally is the reason these violations continue to take place.
The BCHR calls on the Government of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the United Nations to hold the Government of Bahrain accountable for the ongoing violations occuring in the country, and to put pressure of Bahrain authorities to:
1. Immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience.
2. Immediately halt the use of arbitrary arrest and attacks on civilians.
3. Hold accountable all those who have taken part, overseen, ordered and were able to but did not put a stop to the ongoing human rights violations. Accountability should start with those in high positions in government.
4. Halt the use of all forms of torture inside police stations.
5. Allow all people access to medical treatment without fear of torture and arrest.