Judge Denies Two Requests for Medical Treatment; Ebrahim Saleh’s Lawyer Fears for his Life

URGENT APPEAL: After Judge Denies Two Requests for Medical Treatment; Ebrahim Saleh’s Lawyer Fears for his Life
14th November, 2012 – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses grave concern for the well being and life of political prisoner Ebrahim Saleh. Twenty-one year old Ebrahim Saleh Ali was shot with a pellet shotgun while participating in a peaceful protest in his home village Karranah on the 20th of October.

According to information received by the BCHR. Ebrahim Saleh was carrying a Bahraini flag and protesting peacefully when he was severely injured. After he fell unconscious he was reportedly beaten by riot police and imprisoned for illegal gathering. Throughout his detention and until this day, Saleh has been denied treatment by the authorities. The pellets are spread throughout Saleh’s body but are mostly concentrated in the genital area.

The BCHR has been informed by Ebrahim Saleh’s lawyer, Reem Khalaf, that Saleh was interrogated at the military hospital, and that his health is deteriorating quickly and that he is in severe pain. Saleh has trouble moving and sitting. Reem Khalaf has requested the court twice for medical treatment for her client, but her requests were denied both times.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights appeals to the United States government, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and all other ally governments and international institutions to put pressure on the Bahraini authorities to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Ebrahim Saleh.

2. Allow Ebrahim Saleh immediate access to medical treatment.

3. Immediately stop using excessive force against peaceful protesters.

4. Hold all police officers and those in charge accountable for the deaths and injuries caused by excessive use of force.

The BCHR respectfully reminds the Government of Bahrain of Article 20 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”

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