A policeman challenges activist Zainab Alkhawaja, shortly before her arrest, 15 December 2011
Amnesty International, in a 58-page report, documents how the regime, despite the King's proclamation of "sweeping and broad" reforms, has failed to make significant changes since the November 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. The organisation outlines a series of political, legal, and social measures which must be implemented for any notions of fairness, justice, and rights to take hold.
The Conclusions and Recommendations:
Important recommendations contained in the BICI [Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry] report have yet to be fully implemented.
These include recommendations dealing with accountability for the human rights violations
carried out in connection with anti-government protests in 2011. The reported investigations
of allegations of torture and unlawful killings by the security forces have been shrouded in
secrecy. So far only nine low-ranking policemen have been put on trial. The new investigative
body, placed under the PPO, lacks independence, impartiality and effectiveness. Scores of
prisoners, tried unfairly in military courts and sentenced to long-term prison sentences, have
not been released although they were convicted solely for leading and participating in antigovernment protests without using or advocating violence. Police brutality continues
unabated with daily excessive use of force to deal with demonstrators. Reports of torture and
other ill-treatment continue to reach Amnesty International.
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Monday, December 17, 2012 at 11:57
