Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
his family and utter one sentence: “I am fine and I am being held by a
security agency.”
On 5 April, the detainee was transferred to Dry Dock Detention Centre. He
was beaten and punched on the way. He was forced to stand for long
periods and he heard the sound of a young boy being raped. The following
day, the detainee was transferred to Al Qurain Prison, although he was told
that he was being taken to Saudi Arabia. He was placed in solitary
confinement where he remained for three months. Officials beat him on a
daily basis using their hands and a black cable to whip his head. His
torturers comprised a group of three or four masked individuals who arrived
at random times, especially during the night. They placed a bag over his
head as though he was going to be electrocuted. They poured cold water on
him and on his bed. He was forced to kiss and lick his interrogators’ shoes.
He was verbally abused, threatened with rape and subjected to sectarian
insults against him and Shia religious figures. He received inadequate
medical care including the cancellation of his scheduled operation.
On 10 June, the prison administration changed and conditions improved
significantly. 836 Conditions improved further after the detainees were
charged. The detainee still bears evidence of torture on his body including
dislocation of his left shoulder, an injury near his left eyebrow and a broken
tailbone caused by strong kicking during his arrest.
CASE NO. 10
(Examined by forensic team)
Date of statement: 3 August 2011
Statement: The detainee was arrested on 17 March 2011 and taken into
custody where he was placed in solitary confinement. He was not permitted
to shower or change his clothes for the first 11 days of his detention. He was
constantly beaten on his head and body and was forced to stand and raise his
arms for prolonged periods. He was verbally insulted and had cold water
poured over his body, which was made worse by an air conditioner blasting
cold air into his cell. This persisted until his court hearing. He had no
access to a lawyer except on the date of his trial. Prior to that time, he was
not permitted any contact with his family.
Conditions in the prison improved after organisations like the ICRC put
pressure on the GoB. Conditions improved significantly after 10 June when
the prison administration changed.
836 Many of the detainees at Al Qurain Prison stated that the conditions of detention improved
significantly after 10 June when the prison administration changed.
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