Bahrain: While Recovering from operation, They Tortured Him Again!

Local Editor

Human Rights First, a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York and Washington D.C. slammed the unfair trial of 21 civilians in Bahrain, and said it is gravely concerned about the issue.

"Relatives of the defendants who were permitted access told us they looked in bad physical and mental shape," said Brian Dooley of Human Rights First in Bahrain on Thursday.
"Several were limping and others have suffered drastic weight loss. They have not had adequate time to consult their lawyers, and there are credible reports of their torture in custody."

"The hearing today (Thursday) was conducted in a heavily militarized atmosphere," said Dooley. "The court buildings were full of armed soldiers, some wearing black masks." Leading human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is among those charged. His wife and daughter Zeinab were allowed a 10-minute meeting with him on Sunday. Zeinab told Human Rights First that his face had been badly damaged with multiple fractures while in the custody of security forces. He had undergone a four-hour operation in the military hospital. "But when he was supposed to be recovering from the operation they tortured him again," she said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Bahrain "to suspend further prosecution of civilians in special military courts, allow them full access to lawyers, family members, and necessary medical care, and set up an impartial commission to look into serious allegations of torture."

In its statement, the organization said it opposes the creation and use of special courts or the use of military courts to try national security crimes.

Scores of protesters, including children, have been killed and many others gone missing, many of which reported to be tortured. Regime forces have also raided dozens of mosques, schools, sacred sites and even graves in persisting efforts to suppress all opposition.