Bahrain Mirror: Prominent detained Bahraini rights activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, confirmed that the conditions in "Jaw Central Prison" are similar to how they were before the March 10, 2015 events. He noted that the offices then responsible for the prison are still committing the same violations.

Al-Khawaja noted in a letter from inside prison, the absence of any regulatory role in prison, whether by the judiciary or the regulatory authorities, therefore confirming that the said institutions are established for public relations and regime publicity.

Moreover, he said that since 10 prisoners managed to escape on the dawn of January 1, 2017, and after the authorities executed 3 detainees on January 15, 2017, the prison administration has been implementing retaliatory actions and collective punishments, in violation of prison laws and rights of all prisons.

He added that the prison, currently crowded with more than 2500 prisoners, most of which are activist, opposition and political figures, is in an agitated state similar to that prior to the March 2015 prison events, which were followed by a widespread wave of abuse that lasting around 6 months.

Among the violations that occurred since January 15, 2017, was isolating all prisoners, through banning all calls and visits, locking cells and ward doors most of the time, depriving prisoners from using toilets for long periods. So far, all hospital appointments are canceled, newspapers are not allowed, and family visits are arbitrarily said, in a way that results in the majority of visitors not coming.

Furthermore, al-Khawaja indicated that the responsible officers no longer come to visit prison buildings, or respond to their complaints and letters.

Arabic Version