MANAMA: The Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Interior expressed dismay and concern regarding a statement released by Amnesty International on February 13 titled, “Bahrain: Fears of violent crackdown ahead of third anniversary protests.”
“The authorities’ relentless repression of dissent continues unabated – with security forces repeatedly using excessive force to quash anti-government protests,” Said Boumedouha, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said.
In fact, the Ministry of Interior has endorsed and helped to facilitate at least one major rally or protest per day over the past week. In addition, more rallies are planned through the weekend. There have also been dozens of smaller, peaceful rallies held throughout the country with no interference by police (as has been widely documented on social media channels).
The Ministry of Interior does not condone excessive use of force. Any such act that comes to light is aggressively investigated by the Independent Ombudsman and, in criminal cases, the Public Prosecutor. The Minister of Interior has made clear through training and re-training programs that all force used by the police must be necessary and proportionate.
Regarding the two specific cases mentioned in the Amnesty International statement, the incident involving Jehad Nabeel al-Samee’ and Abdullah Yousif al-Bahran is currently under investigation by the Ombudsman. The Ministry was provided with a copy of his preliminary findings as was Amnesty International. As Amnesty International is well aware from reading the report, there was no sign of ill treatment of Jehad or Abdullah and they were found to be properly cared for and in good health.
Regarding the allegation that Ahmed Al Fardan was mistreated, the Ministry released a public statement on January 14th based on an examination of the Ministry of Interior’s records concerning Mr. Fardan’s arrest and confinement. The findings were posted online and stated:
“During the medical examination Al Fardan made no complaint to doctors but was found to have high blood pressure and an elevated enzyme in his blood, which led to his admission to the Ministry’s medical centre. He remained there for treatment and observation until December 31.
Al Fardan was otherwise found to be in good health and condition. His ribs were not broken and he was not taken to Salmaniya Medical Complex for an X-ray, as has been inaccurately reported by Amnesty International and the BBC. Indeed all the allegations made in the Amnesty International report are wrong. Al Fardan was not beaten, at no stage did he pass out, he was not held incommunicado, he was not subjected to mistreatment at the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) and he was not kept in prison until December 31.”