Bahrain: Adjournment of show trial amid intensification of Torture

The decision to adjourn, once more, the show trial of the prisoners of conscience has infuriated the detainees, their families and human rights activists. The 15 prisoners appeared briefly at the court on Monday, 17th March, only to be told of the adjournment of the trial until 17th April.

They have complained of extensive torture including sexual abuse, electric shocks and deprivation from sleep. There is a furore within the human rights circles as the extent of torture is exposed. In addition to the brief statements by some of the detainees during court appearances confirming their ordeals, their relatives have spoken of shock and anger at the extent of torture they had seen on the bodies of their beloved ones. The ruling family has adopted a delaying tactic so that the wounds of the victims may heal before the prisoners are set free.

It is clear that the Al Khalifa will be forced to release them unconditionally as they had committed no offence under the international law, but the release is being delayed in order to gain time for the healing of the torture wounds. Abdulla Mohsin, one of the detainees, is now in dire need of medical treatment as his health is deteriorating rapidly. His relatives have appealed for proper treatment to this young man who is suffering from kidney problem and is not receiving medical care.

 There are now attempts to compile a list of those involved in torture, including those in the political hierarchy who are condoning it. Plans had been drawn to fly some of the victims to Geneva to be observed and examined by official human rights doctors working for the UN Human Rights Council which his scrutinising the long record of abuse and human rights violations of the Al Khalifa rulers. Torturers have attempted to block this move through the successive adjournment of the trials of the prisoners.

When the decision to adjourn the show trial was announced spontaneous protests erupted outside the court room. Foreign-staffed riot police and Death Squads used extensive force to repress the protestors. Several people were injured in the ensuing mayhem as the attackers used tear gas and rubber bullets. A security cordon was imposed around the court room, and later extended to other towns including Jidhafs, Daih and Sanabis to  prevent the spread of the protests and demonstrations.

The people of Sitra were also subjected to severe aggression by the Al Khalifa Death Squads. A demonstration on 29th February calling for the release of the prisoners was severely repressed and several Bahrainis were injured. On 14th March another demonstration near the mosque of Sheikh Hussain near the town centre was mercilessly attacked. Extensive use of poisonous gases and rubber bullets caused many injuries especially among women and children.

Meanwhile the policy of Genocide continued at an alarming rate. It is now estaimted that around 800 foreigners are granted the Bahraini nationality every month. This programme which had been adopted by Sheikh Hamad is intended to cause a fundamental change in the ethnic and religious balance of Bahrain to the advantage of the Al Khalifa. It is a draconian move against the native Baharna who had, until recent years, made up more than 80 percent of the population. It is estimated that the total number of those foreigners granted the Bahraini nationality in the past seven years is in excess of 150,000. Resisting this Genocidal policies is now becoming a priority within the activists circles and the Al Khalifa are, themselves, planning a showdown with the natives of Bahrain, which could transform into a bloody conflict as the natives realise the evils of these policies.

At another level, the interior minister, Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, has criticised Britain for granting political asylum to prosecuted activists. In a meeting with the British Ambassador to Bahrain, Jamie Bowden, the Al Khalifa minister showed no respect to the British laws and demanded that the British Government should behave in the same way as the Al Khalifa dictators whose rule has been marked with the extensive use of torture, tyranny, dictatorship, institutionalised corruption and plundering of people’s wealth.

A British diplomat spoke to some members of the Bahraini opposition on condition of anonymity and said: “I will fight to the end against the idea that our PM should remain in office for 37 years, or that more than 60 percent of Cabinet posts should go to the royal family, as is the case in Bahrain”.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
19th March 2008