Rapidly deteriorating human rights conditions in Bahrain
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
17 March 2007
Ref: 07031700
On March 1st, Jaffar Ahmad, 35, was reportedly kicked, punched, and beaten with batons by the men, who then put him in a civilian car and transferred him to the Manama Interior Ministry fort.
Rapidly deteriorating human rights conditions in Bahrain
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
17 March 2007
Ref: 07031700
On March 1st, Jaffar Ahmad, 35, was reportedly kicked, punched, and beaten with batons by the men, who then put him in a civilian car and transferred him to the Manama Interior Ministry fort.
According to an eyewitness from the area, Mr Ahmad was not the only civilian to undergo such treatment – a second man was allegedly beaten and arrested in the same way.
Following his arrest, Mr Ahmad was allegedly held incommunicado for two days before being brought before Public Prosecution on March 3, where he was accused of arson and riot.
According to his brother, a member of the security forces who arrested Mr Ahmad was brought in as a ‘witness’ against him. Mr Ahmad was reportedly not allowed to speak and prevented from questioning the ‘witness’ or defending himself during the proceedings.
Public Prosecution officials declared that he would be held in custody for a further 15 days. On his return to police custody, Mr Ahmad’s family was permitted to visit him for less than an hour.
Photographs taken with a relative’s phone camera during this visit indicate severe beatings to Mr Ahmad’s stomach, scratch marks on his arms and a blood clot in his right eye. Police officials allegedly told his family to purchase medicine to treat Mr Ahmad’s eye injury.
The following day (March 4), Mr Ahmad was taken to a health clinic where he was not diagnosed or given treatment for his injuries, but transferred to the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital the following day.
As a result of the beating he has reportedly sustained damage to his inner eye, which requires an operation. A date has been set for March 21.
The BCHR condemns the excessive and brutal use of force by security personnel against Mr Ahmad.
The Bahraini government should immediately release Mr Ahmad to his family and cease its campaign of arbitrary arrests.
The BCHR is concerned about Mr Ahmad’s health and holds the Bahraini government responsible for his wellbeing and safety. The government should ensure he receives due treatment and compensation for injuries sustained.
“This case also highlights critical flaws in the Bahraini judicial process,” BCHR vice president Nabeel Rajab said.
“Individuals accused of a crime should be asked to present themselves to Public Prosecution,” he added.
“They must granted access to a lawyer or allowed to defend themselves against charges – and not kidnapped off the street and held incommunicado.
“Such mafia-style actions are entirely inappropriate to a government which sits on the UN Human Rights Council.
“We urge the authorities to fulfill their promises and responsibilities, and put an end to the recurring violations in Bahrain’s ever darkening human rights record.”