Third Bahrain Forum and SALAM DHR Update: No Transparency by Authorities over Number of Infected Detainee Cases, and 24 Summonses issued in the Last 2 Days

In their third update on the condition of prisoners infected with COVID-19, the Bahrain Forum for Human Rights and SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights note a further increase in the number of documented cases. According to the testimonies of the families, the number of infected cases, as of April 8^th, has reached 78 cases. Meanwhile, in the past two days, security forces have summoned a number of citizens due to their exercising the right of peaceful assembly to demand the release of the detainees. They were released today.

The two organizations have indicated that the information received regarding the number of cases infected with COVID-19 is much larger than the number publicly announced. The remaining names of the infected cases have been unobtainable, however; the statement issued by the General Directorate of Reformation and Rehabilitation regarding the health status of the detainees infected with COVID-19 did not contain any detailed information regarding the real number of infected cases and contact tracing. This has raised more concerns for the families of the detainees due to a lack of confidence in the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.

Amidst their calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience, the two organizations also call for the allowance of visits to the prisons and inspections by human rights organizations due to a lack of confidence in the data issued by official authorities.

249 Peaceful Protests in 44 Areas in Bahrain since the 28^th of March

A total of 249 peaceful protests have been organized and spread across the country since March 28. 87 demonstrations and 162 protests were spread across 44 Bahraini areas: Abu Subai’, Abu Quwah, Eskan Al ‘Aali, Eskan Salmabad, Bilad Al-Qadeem, AlNabih Salih, Al-Janabiyah, Al-Diraz, Al-Dair, Al-Daih, Al-Sanabis, Al-Shakhurah, Al-Qadam, Al-Kawarah, Al-Malikiya, Al-Markh, Al-Musalla, Al-Ma’ameer, Al-Maqsha’, Al-Manama, Al-Na’eem, Al-Nuwaidrat, Al-Hamala, Barbar, Bani Jamra, Buri, Tubli, Jid Hafs, Jid Ali, Dar Kulaib, Damistan, Ras Rumman, Saar, Sitra, Salmabad, Samaheej, Sanad, Shahrakkan, A’ali, Karranah, Karbabad, Karzakkan, Maqaba, Al-‘Eker.

24 Summonses in Two Days and the Detainment of 5 Citizens

Between April 7 and April 6, 24 Bahraini citizens were summoned against Khalifa to exercise the right of peaceful assembly to demand the release of prisoners, and some of them reported forcing them to sign a pledge not to demonstrate peacefully, and the summons took place in the following centers: (13) cases in a police station Hamad Town (17th roundabout), (1) case in Al-Maared Police Station, (10) cases in Samaheej Police Station.

Between the 6^th and 7^th of April, 24 Bahraini citizens were served with summonses due to exercising the right of peaceful assembly to demand the release of the prisoners. Some of the summoned have reported signing statements under duress, pledging not to demonstrated peacefully. The summonses occurred in the following centers: 13 cases in Hamad Town (17^th Roundabout) police station, 1 case in Al-Ma’aridh police station, and 10 cases in Samaheej police station.

The following were arrested: Professor Ali Muhanna (father of a prisoner of conscience), Mr. Saeed Issa Hussain (the father of Mr. Hashem, who was a victim of extrajudicial killing), and three brothers of prisoner of conscience Muhammad Hamid al-Daqqaq (suffering from severe diabetes) and they are: (Yunus, Anwar, Yasser), and they were later released on April 08.

The following citizens were detained: Ali Al-Muhanna (the father of a prisoner of conscience), Sayyid Sa’id ‘Eissa Hussein (the father of Hashem, a victim of extrajudicial killing), and Yunis, Anwar, and Yasser, the three brothers of Muhammed Hameed Al-Daqaq, a prisoner of conscience suffering from severe diabetes. The three siblings were released on the 8^th of April.

Latest Development on the Case of the Detainee, Muhammed Abd al-Hassan Habib Yusef (30 years old), who was sentenced to 17 years on the Charge of Political Crimes

On April 5, 2021, Muhammed was transferred to the Salmaniya Medical Complex after his fellow inmates engaged in a hunger strike due to the deliberate negligence committed by the administration of Jau Central Prison. Muhammed, who was transferred to the hospital without his family’s knowledge, was visited by his family to check on his health condition after a fellow cellmate informed his family of the transfer. According to his family, Muhammed had a high temperature that was no less than 39°C. He had remained in this condition in prison for 9 days and was prescribed medication ill-fitting to his case which led to acidity in his blood and the accumulation of bacteria in the lungs.

As soon as Muhammed was admitted to the Resuscitation Department at Salmaniya Hospital, his whole placed under sedation until the time of writing. Muhammed remained in the Resuscitation Department for three days until he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on the 8^th of April. Muhammed is still under artificial respiration.

Muhammed suffered from malnutrition and deliberate medical negligence despite the knowledge of both the prison administration and the prison clinic of his chronic disease ailments (diabetes and blood pressure) and he has not received the necessary medical care.

The Death of the Torture Victim Abbas Mal Allah: Medical Negligence and the Necessity of an Independent Investigation

In light of the continuing concern of the prisoners' families, the Public Administration for Reform and Rehabilitation at the Bahraini Ministry of Interior announced on April 06 the death of prisoner of conscience and one of the victims of torture, Abbas Hassan Ali Mal Allah (50 years), after the delay of medical aid in rescuing him, which proves medical negligence The information received from inside the prison, and we stress here the importance of an independent investigation to investigate the facts of the death.

In light of the continuing concern of the prisoners’ families, the General Directorate of Reformation and Rehabilitation in the Bahraini Ministry of Interior announced on the 6^th of April the death of the prisoner of conscience and victim of torture, Abbas Hassan Ali Mal Allah (aged 50). His death followed the delay of medical aid deliverance, proving the culpability of medical negligence, according to information received from inside the prison. We emphasize the importance of an independent investigation to examine the facts of the death.

Abbas Mal Allah’s family had previously conveyed their concern over his health: in an old statement released in the Bahraini Wasat newspaper (Issue 3481, Sunday, March 18, 2012), they had stated his need for special medical care as a result of being hit in the body with a shotgun bullet. His brother, Abdul-Shaheed, said “Abbas is 37 years old, married and has 3 children. He suffers from colon problems and stomach ulcers and has complained of not receiving the necessary treatment and medical care during his detention. Additionally, he suffers from severe pain in his lower back down to his legs because of the shotgun that was fired at him from a close range during his arrest. He also suffers from bruises on the face and chest due to the beating to which he is subjected. He was unconscious and remained in the Intensive Care Unit for more than a week.