Bahrain: torture leads to miscarriage of woman detainee as US legislators condemn banning Mendez’s visit

In a tragic development the torture inflicted on a young woman has led to miscarriage. Nadia Ali Yousuf Saleh, from Bani Jamra, who has been in detention since 30th May, had a miscarriage earlier this week. The six months woman had been subjected to horrific torture after her arrest and did not receive medical care despite her pains and bleeding. Her husband is also languishing in the Alkhalifa torture chambers for opposing the hereditary dictatorship. She was beaten with her husband shortly after their arrest and was transferred to hospital for a botched up treatment. She was transferred to the regime’s dungeons where she received more ill-treatment that eventually led to her miscarriage. The Alkhalifa have banned the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture from visiting the country for fear that he would expose more crimes committed by the ruler, Hamad bin Isa Alkhalifa and his clique.

More evidence of systematic torture has emerged few days ago. A video of a naked young Bahraini boy has been circulating among the people. It came as a shock to those who have seen it. In the recordings, the boy, Hussain Jamil, is shown “confessing” to his crimes which are mainly his participation in peaceful protests against the dictator and calling for him to go. The boy appeared in a bad shape with unintelligible speech and with red marks on his body, confirming that he had been subjected to pretty rough treatment before recording his “confessions”.

The lack of progress in terms of human rights is becoming more embarrassing to the allies of the regime whose support has been crucial to the existence of the hereditary dictatorship. Washington has recently expressed its dissatisfaction and called for “real reforms”. In his recent to the US, Salman bin Hamad  Alkhalifa was given lukewarm reception and was met only by low-ranking officials. President Obama did not accord him an official meeting for fear of backlash from the media and human rights bodies. He was met by some members of the Congress to explain why his family could not afford any serious political reform. Despite this, a secret war is waging inside the Alkhalifa camp. There is widespread fear among the prime minister’s camp that a deal may have been reached between Washington and Salman at the expense of the pm. Rumours have spread that Salman has agreed to dump his uncle in the dustbin of history as a step to satisfy the calls from Alkhali fa Western allies for reform. The scene has now been set for the departure of Khalifa bin Salman Alkhalifa after 42 years in office. But this will not satisfy the people who want the downfall of the Alkhalifa regime. They are ready to continue their struggle and wait longer for a fundamental change of the regime. The experiences of the past two years are so painful that shortcuts will not work this time. The popular slogan “People want regime change” still stands high and loud.

On 7th June, twenty US Senators and Congressmen wrote a letter to Bahrain’s dictator calling on him to allow a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez. They said: We write to express our concern and disappointment with the announcement that United Nations Special Rapporteur Juan E. Mendez will not be permitted to visit Bahrain. This is the second time since the outbreak of protests in 2011 that he has been invited, and then disinvited, to carry out his important work. The letter ended by saying: “We urge you to reverse the decision to deny Juan Mendez and other international observers the opportunity to investigate all allegations of torture, and in doing so, demonstrate your commitment to help put an end to such abuses”.

The letter was signed by three Senators; Patrick Leehy, Ron Wyden and Barbara Boxer. It was also signed by 17 Congressmen: Henry C “Hank” Johnson, Jim Himes, Jim McDrmott, Jan Schakowsky, Jim Moran, Charles B Rangle, Carolyn B Maloney, Earl Blumenauer, Alcee L. Hasting, Raul M. Grijalva, James McGovern, Peter De Fazio, John Conyers, Jr, Barbara Lee, Rosa L Delauro, Keith Ellison and Donna F. Edwards

Bahrain Freedom Movement
14th June 2013