Bahrain Set To Have Rehabilitation Center For Torture Victims

Manama, Bahrain (AHN) - Bahrain may be the first country in the Arab world to have a rehabilitation center for victims of torture.

The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) has put forward the idea of a center which they plan to launch on the occasion of World Torture Day on June 26.

The Bahrain Rehabilitation Center for Torture Survivors (BRCTS) would take up the cases of political prisoners, activists, migrant workers and women who are victims of torture.

BHRWS regional and international director Faisal Fulad told AHN, "This center is not only for activists who were tortured by officials, but also for migrant workers and trafficking victims. Torture of any kind is not acceptable and this fast track center would investigate all cases."

Fulad said his group would be cooperating with NGOs and the private sector to act as a driving force to push for the center. Last year, during the same period, activists and civil society organizations gathered to give input to the possible formation of a truth and reconciliation committee for victims of torture.

"This center will be run by the NGOs and will be linked to the International Red Cross. The UN Human Rights Council and civil societies in the region will also coordinate with the rehabilitation center," Fulad said.

The BRCTS would provide legal consultants to the victims, whether Bahraini or non-Bahrainis, who are victims of torture. A nationwide helpline and special grants or programs for the families of the victims is also high on the agenda of the activists.

Torture allegations by victims or their families has been a thorny issue for government officials, who have repeatedly denied and for the record said there are no torture cases in the country.

Much more recently, several youth were arrested following disturbances in December after the death of a Bahraini youth who, according to officials, died of natural causes. Those arrested are charged with torching a police jeep and stealing a weapon.

Members of the Bahrain Human Rights Society were reportedly denied a visit to the detainees following torture claims by their families and reports by U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). A medical report by the lawyers stated that the men were exposed to torture during their detention.

During the 1990s unrest in the country, several Islamists joined in calling for restoration of the dissolved parliament and suspended constituon. During this period, when state security law was in force, local activists and international human rights group reported several youth were tortured.

After His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took over in 2001, the law was lifted and Law 56 for 2002 was issued. The law gave immunity to security officials and officers from being prosecuted for human rights violations before 2001.

The U.S. State Department country report on Bahrain quotes the HRW report that some detainees arrested in December were reportedly tortured and abused in prison by interrogators. Officials denied the allegations of abuse.

The Amnesty International 2008 report highlights the arbitrary arrests and detention of three detainees: Mohammad Khalil Al-Madoob, Hussain Khalil Al-Madoob and Hussain Abdulnabi. They alleged that they were tortured and had facial injuries apparently caused by beatings when they were seen by their legal representative. The report says that the men were held in solitary confinement and kept blindfolded for lengthy periods.

"Some detainees were tortured during interrogation by security officials, including with beatings and electric shocks to various parts of the body," the report claimed.

Bahrain has denied that torture cases exist in the country in its action plan presented at the UN Human Rights Council. The plan requests UN assistance in further development of human rights educational curricula as well as in holding workshops on human rights for law enforcement personnel and judicial officials.

Bahrain, a close ally of the U.S., hosts its Fifth Fleet and was elected in May as member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.