The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses great concern in regards to the authorities in Bahrain fostering the culture of impunity and particularly in regards to the escalating use of torture and sexual harassment as a method to extract forced confessions. The BCHR recently documented the case of Mohammed Abdulameer Abbas (22 years old) who was arrested on the 27th of August 2013 after a house raid at dawn and was given a detention order of 45 days pending investigation on charges related to illegal gathering and attacking policemen with Molotov cocktails.
According to the family, at 5 am of Tuesday, 27th of August, 2013 masked security forces in civilian clothing raided their home after they kicked the door open and spread inside the house. They asked the mother about her sons, particularly about Mohammed, she answered that he was sleeping in the guest room. When they found Mohammed’s uncle sleeping in another room, they beat him and repeatedly slapped him. Then they asked him to go with them, but he refused, his response confusing. Mohammed’s mother informed them that he is mentally challenged, so they left him and went directly to the guest room where Mohammed was sleeping. When the family tried to enter the room with them, they refused and locked the door. After five minutes, he was taken out to the bus and two mobile phones were confiscated from him.
According to an eyewitness, he was taken near AlKooheji, and he was blindfolded and taken to another bus belonging to the Criminal Investigations Department. The family later went to Sitra Police Station and the Central Police Station, but both denied his presence in their custody. Three days later, on the 30th of August 2013, Mohammed called his family and informed them that he is fine, and the line was cut.
The family received another call on Sunday, 1st of September 2013, from the Criminal Investigations Department when Mohammed informed them that he is fine and that he will contact them again to inform them about the visit date and timing. Nine days his arrest, on the 5th of September 2013, Mohammed called from the Dry Docks Prison and informed his family that there is a visit on Sunday, 8th of September 2013, and that he is detained in Block 2 at the Dry Docks Prison.
Mohammed informed his family during the visit that he was blindfolded for 8 days, beaten and forced to sign papers without knowing its content. He also stated that he was beaten on his genitalia that is causing him severe pain and that he is urinating blood. He added that was subjected to sexual abuse as they repeatedly touched his genitalia.
On Wednesday, 11th of September 2013 he was taken to the Public Prosecution but he refused to speak without his lawyer. He then was taken back to the Dry Docks Prison, and his next session will on the 26th of September 2013 during which he will be brought before the renewal judge.
Based on the above, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights demands the following:
- Immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed AbdulAmeer and all other political prisoners in Bahrain.
- End all practices of torture for the extracting confessions.
- Provide the necessary medical treatment to Mohammed AbdulAmeer and all other prisoners.
- Allow the Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit Bahrain to document the testimonies of the victims.
- Put an end to the culture of impunity and bring those accountable for the protection of criminals to justice including the officials at the public prosecution.