The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its grave concern over the Bahraini authorities’ promotion of the culture of impunity, in particular in regards to the growing use of torture as a means to extract forced confessions. The BCHR has recently documented the case of Jaffer Aoun who was arrested and reportedly tortured on several occasions without any investigation being initiated against his reported torturers.
On Friday the 11th of October, 2013, Jaffer Ali Aoun, 26 years-old, was arrested for the third time since February 2012. The security forces have raided his house on dozens of occasions without finding him at home; an officer from the Samaheej Police Station has threatened to kill Aoun if he is found and arrested. The arrest occurred in a barber shop in Samaheej area, and Jaffer was beaten in the streets before he was taken to the Samaheej Police Station. He was not allowed to contact his family or lawyer for eight days after his abduction. During these days, Aoun was investigated at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where he was reportedly beaten and tortured in order to extract false confessions. He was also presented to the Public Prosecutor without a lawyer and was charged with arson, illegal gathering, and attacking a security patrol. He is currently being held at Dry Dock Prison.
This is not the first time where Aoun has been subjected to arrest and reportedly tortured. The first time occurred in January 2012 when security forces has raided a house in Samaheej area searching for protestors following a peaceful demonstration in the same area. Jaffer was present with his friend at the house, and they were taken to the roof where they were beaten severely using wooden and iron sticks, and batons by Officers from the Ministry of Interior. The officers whom were identified among them include Officer Nawaf Bin Jeran and Yousif Almulla. After the beating, the young men were arrested and taken to another area in the village where they were again subjected to torture. Family members of Jaffer Aoun have stated that they saw blood all over the roof where Aoun and his friend were beaten and arrested. He stated to his family at a later time that he was then transferred to Samaheej Police Station where they were both reportedly tortured by the officers at that police station. When family members went to the Samheej Police Station to ask about him, they were asked to leave, and when they refused to do so before knowing the fate of their son, the officers fired teargas and sound bombs at the family. Jaffer Aoun was brought before the Public Prosecutor without a lawyer and was interrogated on the charge of illegal gathering; he was held in detention for 45 days pending investigation, and was then released.
Jaffer Aoun was again arrested on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 after he was stopped at a checkpoint near the Marine Club by Officer Yousif Almulla. He was then transferred to Samaheej Police Station and was reportedly subjected to torture with the intention of extracting false confessions. Aoun suffered from bruises with some spacing between his ribs. He was again brought before the Public Prosecutor on the following day, without a lawyer, where he was investigated on several charges including arson, and a 45 days detention order was issued, pending investigating. The period of detention was renewed several times, adding up to a total of 170 days. He was also forced by the Prosecutor at the Public Prosecution to sign papers without knowing their content. Aoun was then transferred to the hospital for treatment for the wounds he suffered at the hands of the authorities. He escaped from the hospital, fearing that he would be subjected to torture again.
Aoun’s family members have also been subjected to repeated arrests and assaults. Ahmed Aoun’s younger brother (17 years-old) lost his right eye after he was shot with shotgun pellets during his participation in a demonstration; he was arrested and deprived of medical care while in prison. The youngest brother, Hassan Aoun, has also been repeatedly arrested and subjected to sexual harassment by the officer Yousif AlMullah. None of the officers responsible for these violations have been held accountable.
Based on the above, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) calls on the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and all of Bahrain’s closest allies as well as international institutions to pressure the authorities to:
- Immediate and unconditional release Jaffer Aoun and all other political prisoners in Bahrain.
- Put an end to the practice of torturing detainees to extract confessions.
- Provide necessary medical treatment to Jaffer Aoun and all other prisoners.
- Allow the Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit Bahrain to document the testimonies of victims.
- Put an end to the culture of impunity, ensure accountability for those responsible for the protection of human rights violators, and bring the perpetrators to justice, including officials of the Public Prosecution.