Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): A number of human rights defenders and activists published confirmed information that inmates in buildings 12, 13 and 14 in Jaw Prison have been food poisoned after Iftar and Suhoor meals on Tuesday (May 7, 2019).

Checking the website of the Bahrain Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission and its official social media pages, it is clear that the Commission seems to have no idea what is going on, as it hasn't commented on any subject that actually concerns prisoners. All it has on there is news about the three officials: Nawaf Al-Muawda, Osama Al-Asfour, and Wael Bu Alay.

On behalf of the prisoners, this report explains to the idle Commission what happened at Jaw prison yesterday, and what the current situation is.

Since Wednesday morning (May 8, 2019), prisoners have pounded on the doors of their prison cells in appeal to prison guards, demanding to have their urgent conditions treated after eating spoiled food, and until this moment the prison administration have not responded to them. It ignored the fasting inmates' pain and left them suffering mercilessly.

Most of the inmates in these buildings are currently suffering from severe stomach pains and diarrhea. Although the nurse listed the names of the prisoners that need to be treated for food poisoning or taken to a hospital, the prison administration decided to let them suffer.

A number of prisoners said that the meals from Mohammed Galal Nutrition Company are prepared in the morning, transported to Jaw Prison, and served to the prisoners in the evening without being placed in refrigerators. Due to the high temperature and lack of proper storage of the meals, the food spoils, thus the fasting inmates break their fast on non-edible meals.

Prisoners stress that they eat their meals in overcrowded cells instead of a cafeteria. They use garbage bags to eat their food on because they are prevented from using spoons and plates. Prisoners also use laundry detergent to wash their hands.

All the members of the Commission who break their fast in villas or luxurious hotels, should know that for all of these reasons, cases of food poisoning have spread among inmates who have been prevented from treatment.

Families of prisoners are currently worried about their imprisoned family members, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart and sickle cell diseases, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. This situation could worsen their suffering and increase their need for special care in terms of food, and medical care in general.

Until when will these food companies providing meals will continue to be let off the hook, as well as the prison administration which is main party to be blamed. When will the police responsible for monitoring the meals of inmates be held accountable, as they continue giving prisoners spoiled meals.

When will the members of the Commission of Prisoners, the General Secretariat of Grievances or the Special Investigation Unit take any action?

With cases of overcrowding and health negligence, the suffering of prisoners in Jaw and Dry Dock prisons is escalating amid fears of the outbreak of serious diseases among prisoners, many of whom already suffer from severe health conditions.

Human rights activist Zainab Khamis used Twitter as a platform to voice her concern: "We have already complained about the poor meals provided to prisoners, there is no real response, and complaints have increased recently."

After long hours of silence, the Interior Ministry only issued a statement denying that there were any cases of food poisoning among prisoners in Jaw prison. It denied amid the silence of supposedly competent state bodies, a silence as loud as that of the graves; a silence that reveals everything.

Arabic Version