Bahrain: UK Embassy refuses to see tortured UK national for “diplomatic” reasons
As repression intensifies, the message of defiance has become clearer and more determined. With more solid evidence of severe torture against Bahraini prisoners, the Al Khalifa hereditary dictatorship has now decided to face not only the pro-democracy movement but the world opinion and international human rights bodies. Here are more developments in these areas:
1- While local media has been taken over the Al Khalifa-led torture machine controlled by Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the former Ambassador in London, international media has taken different views of the situation in Bahrain. The BBC issued a long report by Bill Lau detailing the harrowing ordeals of the detainees and the lack of action by the Bahrain-based UK diplomats to determine of a UK national, Jaffar Al Hasabi who has not been seen by his family since his abduction by the Death Squads upon his return to Bahrain on 16th August. On 8th August, The Guardian published an excellent piece by Ian Black who had attended a Press Conference on the situation in Bahrain at the House of Lords. The Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and several news agencies covered the events in Bahrain with a reasonable degree of impartiality.
2- The human rights bodies have protested to the Al Khalifa regime for their ill-treatment of Bahrainis. Two days ago, Human Rights Watch demanded an immediate investigation into the use of torture and challenged the ruling family to undertake this step in line with its obligations under international law especially the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
3- Meanwhile some sources have suggested that the UK Ambassador does not want Jaffar Al Hassabi, the detained UK national, to be seen by any Embassy official because his horrific injuries would compel the Embassy to take action against the torturers, something the Embassy does not want to undertake! Thus a British life is being compromised for “diplomatic” reasons.
4- The news from Bahrain have confirmed that Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa has continued to torture the Bahrainis with more severity. Two days ago, the renowned blogger, Ali Abdul Emam was taken to the Prosecution Office in a secret way. His lawyer confirmed horrific injuries having been inflicted on him. Many international bloggers and activists of freedom of expression have condemned his arrest. The Al Khalifa, emboldened by the American Ambassador’s personal undertaking to defend their repressive regime whatever crimes it committed against Bahrainis, have now given little attention to international condemnation. Two days ago Sayyed Aqeel Al Mousawi was taken to the prosecutor’s office for interrogation. His condition was described as appalling. He could not speak and was breathing with difficulty. He denied the allegations fabricated against him by moving his head.
5- Ahmad Jawad Al Fardan’s house was confiscated by the Al Khalifa. After 13 years waiting for a humble house from the Ministry of Housing, he was given one last year. He was subsequently arrested and tortured beyond recognition. When the workers his family had hired yesterday went to renovate the house, the keys they had did not work. After inquiries by the family, they were told that the Al Khalifa had confiscated the house. This is in line with their policy of starving Shia Bahrainis. Almost all those who are employed by government institutions have been summarily sacked even before their guilt has been established. Starving the Shia is one of the top objectives being implemented by the ruler and his lieutenant; Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the minister of the royal court.
Lawyers have also said that they had been informed by the Prosecutor’s office that nine other detainees had been secretly brought for interrogation. The officials claim that they had serious injuries because “they had attempted to escape and were captured by the police”. It is clear that their torture has been so extensive that lawyers were not allowed to see them.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
10th September 2010