Treatment of Political Detainees in Bahrain’s Prisons
Report on the Treatment of Political Detainees in Bahrain’s Prisons
21 January, 2012 – BCHR
Prepared by the Bahrain Rehabilitation & Anti-Violence Organisation (BRAVO) and the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Introduction
Since the popular uprising calling for greater political and civil rights started in Bahrain on 14th February 2011, well over 3000 people have been arrested by the authorities and continue to be arrested, according to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). Many of those who were detained or imprisoned by the government in relation to the events have described substandard conditions at various detention centres around Bahrain, particularly at central prisons whilst systematic torture seems to be continuing in local detention centres where unconvicted prisoners are held. This report attempts to highlight areas where treatment of political detainees at these detention centres falls short of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMRTP) adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (Geneva 1955). The research methodology adopted is based on extensive interviews conducted with prisoners recently released and incorporates consistent reports that the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) receives from families of prisoners.
Report content:
1. Discrimination against political detainees
2. Separation of prisoner categories
3. Accommodation
4. Clothing and bedding
5. Food
6. Exercise and sport
7. Medical care
8. Discipline and punishment
9. Instruments of restraint
10. Information to and complaints by prisoners
11. Contact with the outside world
12. Books and formal education
13. Religion
14. Notification of death, illness, transfer, etc.
15. Conditions in local detention centres.
