Extrajudical killing become Standard MOI Practice following BICI Report last year

At least 31 extrajudicial killings since official commission of inquiry, says Bahrain Center for Human Rights
28 March 2012 – IFEX

Since an official commission of inquiry last November recommended reforms to address Bahrain’s human rights violations in last year’s uprisings, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has documented at least 31 “extrajudicial killings” in Bahrain.

Most of the deaths were from teargas inhalation, including three in the past week alone, and three were as a result of torture in custody, says BCHR in a new report reviewing progress since the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI)’s findings were presented.

Human Rights Watch also issued its own report following a national commission’s assessment that lauded the government’s progress.

BCHR’s Post-BICI Report accuses the regime of new cases of torture, kidnapping and arbitrary arrests, despite government assurances to the contrary. It calls for an immediate end to violations, as well as reparations for victims and punishment of offenders.

BCHR also points out that the government continues to deny responsibility for any of the killings – not a single police officer has been convicted of torture or murder since the uprising started last February.

Another key finding of the BCHR report, which is broken down by type of violation, is that on average, 15 villages are tear-gassed every single night. The tear gas is imported, prompting BCHR to demand that the international community end its arms deals with Bahrain.

The report is dedicated to the former BCHR president, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is serving a life sentence for his involvement in last year’s protests. Now on the 49th day of a hunger strike, he says he will continue to refuse food “until freedom or death.” Earlier this month, 50 groups worldwide, including many IFEX members, called for his release. …more