Endless suffering for Bahrainis who are tortured beyond limits

The young man, Hussain Ibrahim Yaqoob, from the town of Karzakkan, could not believe that he would be so savagely treated by the Death Squads under the order of the royal court. He was one of the Bahrainis who were protesting against the Al Khalifa dictatorship two days ago when he was attacked by members of these squads and thrown on burning tyres in the street. It was a horrific scenes that shocked the passers by. It was the justice the Al Khalifa seek to inflict on Bahrainis who oppose their occupation and dictatorial rule.

The mother of another young Bahraini described the torture her son had been subjected to. Mrs Habib said that her son, Siraj Isa Habib was tortured to the extent that they did not recognise him when they visited him in the torture chambers. He had been beaten until he lost consciousness and was held in solitary confinement for two weeks. He was threatened with electric shocks if he did not sign the “confession” they had prepared for him and his solitary confinement would be extended.

Yesterday, Abdullah Khalaf was transferred from his torture cell to the military hospital as his health deteriorated as after an emergency operation last week. The operation was carried out after he had been beaten and tortured so badly that his organs were torn apart. His father said that the condition of his son was critical after his jaws were broken when he was beaten during his arrest outside his home. He has lost sight in his right eye. He was rushed out of hospital after the operation before his wounds had healed.

The use of torture has become so wide spread that the ruler yesterday ordered the release of Maitham Al Sheikh, 28, whose health had deteriorated rapidly as a result of severe torture. He had been taken to hospital many times over the past six months but his condition continued to deteriorate.

Doctors now say that he is unlikely to recover from the various ailments that he had suffered as a result of the various forms of torture. The intense use of electric shocks administered against him has damaged his nervous system and destroyed his life. Despite repeated calls to investigate the torturers the ruler has failed to  heed the calls and clung to the notorious Law 56/2002 that offers impunity to torturers.

An international campaign has been launched to indict the ruler, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for his role in legalising torture of Bahrainis. This is in addition to the crime of genocide that is accused of committing by an international organisation which had written to International Criminal Court (ICC). The office of the ICC Prosecutor General, Mr Moreno Ocampo, has already been contacted about this matter.

These facts have shocked the people who listened to the Al Khalifa minister of interior yesterday as he categorically denied the use of torture against Bahrainis. Yet he and his bosses have refused to investigate then hundreds of cases of detainees whose injuries are damning evidence against him and his ruthless regime. Several websites have published video evidence to counter his lies. Mothers described the mutilated bodies of their children languishing behind bars in the worst of conditions. Doctors speak of the shocks of their lives as they treat Bahraini victims of torture.

The public anger is now taking new dimensions as the people attempt to vent their anger through demonstrations, pickets and writing slogans on the walls. Demonstrations have continued in the past few days. In Sitra, a large demonstration took to the streets yesterday calling for the immediate release of the political of conscience especially Mr Hassan Mushaime. Youth rushed to paint their slogans on the walls as a symbolic gesture in defiance of the ruthless police. Another demonstration took to the streets in Sanabis but was attacked by the foreign-staffed riot police and members of the Death Squads. Men and women were attacked mercilessly by those mercenaries, several of whom were injured. The people of Abu Saibe’ also demonstrated yesterday but were attacked and dispersed. Meanwhile the BBC has broadcast images of these attacks including the use of live ammunition against unarmed demostrators.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
3rd April 2009