Amnesty International: Fresh reports of torture are yet another blow to Bahrain\u2019s promises of reform
\n06 January, 2012 – BHCR<\/p>\n
Fresh reports of the torture of an 18-year old student in detention are yet another blow to Bahrain\u2019s promises of reform, Amnesty International said today.<\/p>\n
Police allegedly subjected Hassan \u2018Oun to torture, including beatings and threats of rape after his arrest in Manama on 3 January.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs such horrendous cases of human rights abuse keep piling up, the Bahraini authorities\u2019 promises of change ring ever more hollow,\u201d said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International\u2019s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.<\/p>\n
Hassan\u2019s family has told Amnesty International that he was interrogated about his contact with the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.<\/p>\n
The student had told the Centre about being tortured by police during a previous 2011 arrest, following his involvement in anti-government protests.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are concerned that Hassan \u2018Oun may have been targeted again for arrest because he dared to report police abuses,\u201d said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.<\/p>\n
According to family members, Hassan told his lawyer that the police had forced him to stand for about 11 hours, and that he had been beaten on his feet with a hose and threatened with rape.<\/p>\n
Hassan\u2019s lawyer and other witnesses have reportedly seen signs of torture on his body, and that one of his legs is swollen from injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese allegations of torture must be investigated immediately,\u201d said Hassiba Hadj Sahroui. \u201cIf Hassan is being held solely for his peaceful activities, he should be released immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
After being held in a police station for a day, Hassan was questioned at the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office (PPO) on 4 January in the presence of a lawyer.<\/p>\n
The PPO extended his detention for 45 days pending investigation, under illegal public gathering charges. Hassan was then transferred to the Dry Dock Prison in Manama.<\/p>\n
His family have not been allowed to see him, although yesterday they received permission to visit him next week. …more<\/a><\/p>\n