Ali Mohamed Hakeem Al-Arab

Ali Mohamed Hakeem Al-Arab, a Bahrain student arrested on February 9, 2017 has been a victim of torture for 26 days while being interrogated at the Criminal Investigations Directorate in Bahrain.

According to his testimonial given to Amnesty International, Al-Arab has suffered different types of cruel acts like electroshock, being repeatedly beaten and having his toenails pulled off. Moreover, he has been denied access to a lawyer and after being taken to Dry Dock Prison on 7 March, Al-Arab has been victim of other inhumane and ill-treatments.

This news comes as no surprise, as Bahrain continues to profusely violate international human rights standards. To illustrate, in 2012 the UN Human Rights Council gave to Bahrain 176 recommendations during the second cycle of UPR, despite accepting and pledging for full implementation of the 158 recommendations the government has not put its promise to practice.  As well, after accepting the 26 recommendations made by the BICI (Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry), non-implementation has become the common practice in Bahrain. In reality, torture and arbitrary detention, no freedom of assembly or expression, reprisals against human rights defenders, executions and restrictions of civil society organizations are on the order of the day.

ICSFT deplores the ongoing vile human rights violations and the current international sphere that is setting the precedent for impunity and lack of accountability for repressive and authoritarian regimes like Bahrain. The UN and other relevant international actors must force the government of Bahrain to comply with international human rights standards and stop complacency at the expense of innocent citizens. All the relevant human rights mechanisms, including the upcoming third cycle of UPR Bahrain, must be utilized vigilantly to achieve the founding principles of the UN, which is promoting and protecting human rights without any discrimination.

International Council Supporting Fair Trial and Human Rights