UN experts warn of 'worrying' news about conditions at Bahrain jail

Three independent United Nations human rights experts have urged Bahrain to ensure that inmates’ rights are fully upheld after reports of punitive conditions at Jau Prison in the south of the Persian Gulf island country.

The trio – namely Alice Jill Edwards, special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Michael Fakhri, special rapporteur on the right to food, and Tlaleng Mofokeng, special rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health – expressed their demands and worries in a joint statement on Thursday.

“We urge authorities in Bahrain to guarantee safe, healthy and hygienic conditions of detention to every person currently held in Jau prison.”

The experts stressed that the authorities had not implemented any changes despite being contacted by inmates’ families about this and other abuses that had been occurring since March.

They said they had received “worrying allegations” that prisoners at the detention facility had been denied medical care, along with consistent access to food and drinking water.

“Particularly worrying are allegations that authorities have cut air conditioning, exposing prisoners to extreme heat, with temperatures arising to 50°C,” they noted.

Human rights organizations have already warned against ‘inhumane conditions’ at the notorious Jau Prison, saying various forms of physical and mental torture as well as mistreatment are among the torments that prisoners endure in the detention center.

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“The deprivation of basic standards may severely affect prisoners’ health, exacerbating fragility and vulnerability of those who already suffer from conditions such as asthma, kidney and/or heart diseases. At all times, persons deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the person,” the three experts said.

For decades now, one family, the Al Khalifa dynasty, has retained absolute power in Bahrain.

The current ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has overseen deepening political repression, the jailing, torturing and banishing of political activists.

“We urge the Government to re-establish appropriate conditions in all parts of Jau prison without delay. We also urge the Government to enter into meaningful dialogue with the prisoners and their families about improving conditions,” the UN experts stressed in conclusion.

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