Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Annex B — Summary of Torture Allegations
location where he was put in a bed and threatened. A man’s penis was put in
his face and on his back. His head hit the floor and he passed out and awoke
in the car. He was subsequently returned to his cell. A surgeon came to see
him and was angry that the surgical wounds were now more swollen.
On 8 May, the detainee went to court and was cursed and sexually harassed
in the car on the way there. He was taken to the side of the court for
“executions”. A guard told him, “It is a long time since we executed
anyone.” The detainee told the judge about the sexual harassment and
beatings in prison. As punishment, he was punched and kicked, and left in
the sun blindfolded for 45 minutes with his hands raised. He was sentenced
to life in prison, at which point he raised his hand and said, “We will
continue this struggle for human rights.” In response, he was beaten by the
guards. He was handcuffed behind his back, his nose was hit against the
wall and he was hit on his face, left wrist and right leg. On 22 June, he was
taken to the emergency room at BDF hospital.
The detainee has lost 12 kilograms during his time in detention. He suffers
several physical ailments including the following: lower spine pain when
sitting; right elbow pain; right lateral ankle pain; left facial pain; numbness
and gum pain; and he cannot open his mouth normally. He feels startled
whenever he hears the sound of a door. He sleeps only two or three hours
per night. The worst experience for him has been hearing other people being
tortured and not being able to help; this has caused him to feel ashamed.
CASE NO. 9
(Examined by forensic team)
Date of statement: 3 August 2011
Statement: The detainee was arrested at approximately 02:00 on 21 March
2011 by masked security forces at the home of his father-in-law. Security
forces broke the metal door of the house and stole numerous items. The
detainee attempted to escape through the roof but was violently beaten all
over his body, resulting in leg pains which continued for several weeks. He
was placed in a vehicle where he was beaten in the genitals. He later found
out that during his arrest, his wife was also beaten and had her headscarf
ripped off. He was handcuffed and taken to the NSA.
At the NSA the detainee underwent a medical examination. He informed the
doctor of his existing ailments, which included sickle cell anaemia and
injuries from past operations. The detainee was subsequently interrogated at
various times, mostly during the night, and had limited access to the toilet.
During interrogation, he was hung and beaten with a hose, his feet were
kicked and he was subjected to verbal abuse and sectarian insults. Security
guards kicked his back and broke his tailbone, causing severe pain. He was
taken to a doctor who told him that he required an operation. NSA officials
instructed him to sign a confession. After some time, he was allowed to call
439