Contents
1. Summary
2. Background
3. Action required
4. Sample letters
1. Summary
Dr Al-Singace was arrested at Manama Airport on the morning of 13 August, as he and his family returned to the country from London. He only had access to his lawyer after almost two weeks in incommunicado detention.
Al-Singace, spokesperson for Haq (Haq movement of Civil Liberties and Democracy), accused Bahraini authorities of torturing him whilst in detention.
Other human rights defenders who were also arrested were taken to hospital to receive treatment for injuries as a result of suspected torture. The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) has reported that the total number of activists arrested during the recent crackdown is 200. The BHCR have also recorded many witness statements describing torture by state authorities.
2. Background
Al-Singace has described to his lawyer the brutal torture he endured which included being kept in solitary confinement for a fortnight, his crutches and wheel chair were taken away from him and he was forced to stand for hours on one leg because of the paralysis in his other leg, he was stripped naked and beaten repeatedly, the masked torturers used electric shock devices which they attached to his ears and nipples, he was repeatedly slapped across the face and ears till he partially lost his hearing, he was forced to listen to the screaming of other prisoners who were being tortured and he was forced to sign statements written by the authorities.
According to the BCHR other key members of the human rights movement in Bahrain have been taken to hospital after the suspected torture they received during their detainment, vocal critics such as Shaikh Mohammed Habib Almuqdad, Abdulghani Khanjar and Abdulhadi Alsaffer.
Such brutal measures used by the Bahraini authorities clearly violate numerous articles within the International Covenant on Civil and Political (ICCPR). Violent measures to suppress the plight of human rights defenders will be counterproductive and lead to increased violence and unrest. Until the key issues of civil and economic inequalities experienced by the Shia majority are addressed there will be no progression towards a harmonious society.
Bahraini authorities have an obligation to investigate the accusations of torture and prosecute the guilty parties responsible for the authorisation and act of torturing.
For further background information, please visit the following links:
Bahrain: Open Letter to UN Special Rapporteur on situation of HR defenders
PRESS RELEASE: Bahrain – IHRC asks UN Special Rappateur to take up case of Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace
Urgent Alert: Bahrain – Dr Al-Singace, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Haq Movement arrested on return to Bahrain
Open letter to Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, prime minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain
3. Action required
Write to the following authorities requesting them to urge the Bahraini government to investigate the claims of torture and allow citizens their right to freedom of expression and association in the country.
a) Minister of foreign affairs in your country, urging him/her to raise this issue with his/her Bahraini counterpart. UK campaigners will find the appropriate address, fax and email on the sample letter below.
b) Bahraini ambassador in your country. UK campaigners will find the appropriate address, fax and email on the sample letter below.
4. Sample letters
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A sample letter is given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is very important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters. It is preferable that letters be sent via post, or otherwise by fax and/or email.
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a) Minister of foreign affairs in your country. (UK campaigners can write using the address supplied below, fax: +44 (0)20 7839 2417 or email: private.office@fco.gov.uk)
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
Rt. Hon. William Hague MP
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Dear Mr. Hague,
Re: Bahrain – Human rights leader alleges torture during incommunicado detention
Dr Abdul Jalil Al-Singace spokesperson for Haq (Haq movement of Civil Liberties and Democracy), was arrested at Manama Airport on the morning of 13 August, as he and his family returned to the country from London. He only had access to his lawyer after almost two weeks in incommunicado detention.
Al-Singace has described to his lawyer the brutal torture he endured which included being kept in solitary confinement for a fortnight, his crutches and wheel chair were taken away from him and he was forced to stand for hours on one leg because of the paralysis in his other leg, he was stripped naked and beaten repeatedly, the masked torturers used electric shock devices which they attached to his ears and nipples, he was repeatedly slapped across the face and ears till he partially lost his hearing, he was forced to listen to the screaming of other prisoners who were being tortured and he was forced to sign statements written by the authorities.
According to the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) other key members of the human rights movement in Bahrain were taken to hospital after the suspected torture they received during their detainment, vocal critics such as Shaikh Mohammed Habib Almuqdad, Abdulghani Khanjar and Abdulhadi Alsaffer.
Such brutal measures used by the Bahraini authorities clearly violate numerous articles within the International Covenant on Civil and Political (ICCPR). Violent measures to suppress the plight of human rights defenders will be counterproductive and lead to increased violence and unrest. Until the key issues of civil and economic inequalities experienced by the Shia majority are addressed there will be no progression towards a harmonious society.
Bahraini authorities have a responsibility to investigate the accusations of torture and prosecute the guilty parties responsible for the authorisation and act of torturing. Please take this up with your Bahraini counterpart as an urgent matter.
I look forward to your response on this pressing matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
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b) Bahraini ambassador in your country. (UK campaigners can write using the address supplied below, fax: +44 (0)20 7201 9183 or email: information@bahrainembassy.co.uk)
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
HE Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khalifa
30 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8QB
Your Excellency,
Re: Bahrain – Human rights leader alleges torture during incommunicado detention
Dr Abdul Jalil Al-Singace spokesperson for Haq (Haq movement of Civil Liberties and Democracy), was arrested at Manama Airport on the morning of 13 August, as he and his family returned to the country from London. He only had access to his lawyer after almost two weeks in incommunicado detention.
Al-Singace has described to his lawyer the brutal torture he endured which included being kept in solitary confinement for a fortnight, his crutches and wheel chair were taken away from him and he was forced to stand for hours on one leg because of the paralysis in his other leg, he was stripped naked and beaten repeatedly, the masked torturers used electric shock devices which they attached to his ears and nipples, he was repeatedly slapped across the face and ears till he partially lost his hearing, he was forced to listen to the screaming of other prisoners who were being tortured and he was forced to sign statements written by the authorities.
According to the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) other key members of the human rights movement in Bahrain have been taken to hospital after the suspected torture they received during their detainment, vocal critics such as Shaikh Mohammed Habib Almuqdad, Abdulghani Khanjar and Abdulhadi Alsaffer.
Such brutal measures used by Bahraini authorities clearly violate numerous articles within the International Covenant on Civil and Political (ICCPR). Violent measures to suppress the plight of human rights defenders will be counterproductive and lead to increased violence and unrest. Until the key issues of civil and economic inequalities experienced by the Shia majority are addressed there will be no progression towards a harmonious society.
Bahrain’s international image and credibility has been deeply damaged by these accusations. Therefore it’s imperative in order to preserve your standing in the international community to investigate the accusations of torture and prosecute the guilty parties responsible for the authorisation and act of torturing.
I look forward to your response on this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
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Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75
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