Torture in Bahrain

Torture in Bahrain refers to the violation of Bahrain’s obligations as a state party to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention against Torture) and other international treaties and disregard for the prohibition of torture enshrined in Bahraini law.

Torture was routine practice in Bahrain between 1975 and 1999, during the period when the State Security Act 1974 was in force. In 1999, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa acceded to the throne and declared an era of national reconciliation. The State Security Act was repealed in 2001 but despite efforts to promote respect for the rule of law, there have been continuing allegations of torture and ill-treatment, against opposition activists and human rights defenders in particular. These have increased since April 2011 as the authorities have sought to bring pro-democracy reform protests under control.

Individuals have been tortured after being detained at demonstrations and public gatherings. For example on 17 December 2007 on Martyrs’ Day, commemorating past victims of torture, the Special Security Forces began a wave of arrests targeting more than 60 persons, among them over ten activists. During February 2009, several key human rights defenders in Bahrain were arbitrarily arrested and detained including Abbas Abdul Aziz Al-Umran, Sayed Sharaf Ahmed, Ali Hassan Salman, and Jaafar Kadhim Ebrahim. Some of those arrested alleged that they had been prevented from sleeping, tied up for long periods and denied medical attention. Others said that they had been sexually assaulted whilst in detention.

The issue of immunity for past violations has also been a continuing concern. In 2001, the King pardoned all those involved in the political violence of the 1990s, freeing hundreds of prisoners. In 2002 Royal Decree 56 established the clarification that amnesty was also granted to all state security officers who may have committed human rights abuses prior to 2001. On this basis the Bahrain Public prosecutor has refused to accept any complaints of torture lodged against security officials and no individuals have been charged or tried by the state, despite pleas by international human rights groups. Most of the officers concerned have remained in post and some promoted to senior government positions

In 2005 the United Nations Committee against Torture, expressing concern over the failure to investigate allegations and a pattern of impunity for torturers, referred specifically to the Decree 56 amnesty. Nevertheless the Decree has not been amended.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for urgent and independent investigation into allegations of torture since the end of 2007. Many national and international human rights organisations, in particular the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, have been active in reporting allegations of torture during the period of repression that has followed mass arrests in April 2011.

The royally appointed prime minister, Shaikh Khalifah ibn Sulman al-Khalifah (uncle of the present King), head of government throughout the period when torture has been alleged to have taken place, continues in office to the present day. Among individuals alleged to have committed, or overseen, torture are: Ian Henderson, Adel Flaifel, Khalid Al Wazzan, Abdulla Al Dowsari Sheikh Abdulaziz Ateyatallah Al-Khalifa, Alistair Bain McNutt. In March 2000, King Hamad awarded several of the accused torturers with the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa medal.