BCHR terms Bahrain as torturer’s paradise

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) said the small island state in the Persian Gulf has turned into an oasis of torture following a popular uprising against the Saudi-backed Manama regime over two years ago. On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the BCHR expressed grave concern about the ongoing systematic torture in Bahrain with full impunity for the violators. Over the past year, the BCHR documented dozens of torture cases, inside and outside formal detention centers, from the moment of arrest and at times even after receiving a sentence, Alalam reported. Torture in Bahrain usually occurs in the dark, during times of enforced disappearance; and due to impunity officers even videotape their victims after. Not only has no official been held accountable for torture, but also, some of the violators were promoted. In April 2013, the Government of Bahrain effectively cancelled the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan E. Mendez, which was schedule to take place from 8 to 15 May 2013. It is important to note here that the cases presented are only a sample of the many cases received by the BCHR. Due to the culture of impunity many victims of torture fear retribution after speaking about their ordeal. In addition, this report covers cases of ongoing torture. It is important to note that victims of torture have not been able to receive rehabilitation; and those who are still detained are also denied adequate medical care. Antigovernment protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February 2011, calling for an end to the al-Khalifa dynasty. Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar - were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 2011, to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors. So far, tens of protesters have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and thousands of others have been injured.