UN experts warn of disturbing news about conditions in Bahrain prison

Three independent United Nations human rights experts have called on Bahrain to ensure that prisoners' rights are fully respected after reports emerged about detention conditions in Jau prison in the south of the Persian Gulf island state.

The trio – 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 all to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health – expressed their demands and concerns in a joint statement on Thursday.

“We call on the authorities in Bahrain to ensure safe, healthy and hygienic detention conditions for all those currently detained in Jau Prison.”

The experts stressed that the authorities have not made any changes despite contacts from the families of the prisoners about this and other abuses that have occurred since March.

They said they had received “disturbing allegations” that prisoners in the detention center had been denied medical care and constant access to food and drinking water.

“Of particular concern are allegations that authorities turned off air conditioning, exposing prisoners to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 50°C,” they said.

Human rights organizations have already warned of the “inhumane conditions” in the notorious Jau prison. The suffering that prisoners have to endure in the detention center includes various forms of physical and mental torture and ill-treatment.

“Failure to meet basic standards can seriously affect the health of prisoners and exacerbate the frailty and vulnerability of those already suffering from conditions such as asthma, kidney and/or heart disease. Persons deprived of their liberty must at all times be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the person,” the three experts said.

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

Under the current ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, there has been an intensification of political repression as well as the imprisonment, torture and exile of political activists.

“We call on the government to immediately restore adequate conditions in all parts of Jau prison. We also call on the government to enter into a meaningful dialogue with prisoners and their families on improving conditions,” the UN experts concluded.