Statement regarding allegations made by recent rape victim

The child Ahmed loses his eye and BRAVO is concerned about the inevitable impunity of individual and institutional perpetrators

14 June 2012 – The fate of Ahmed’s eye hung in the balance for almost 10 months alongside his childhood.

On the 12th of April 2013, 4 year old Ahmed Al Nuham was shot at close distance by police using ‘shotgun’ pellets as he was accompanying his father who was selling fish during a period lacking any security concerns. Despite the cries of the Father, police who were patrolling the village nevertheless managed to shoot and injure Ahmed directly in the eye, catching him unawares.

- The Impunity of individual perpetrators places responsibility accountability on State institutions.

Following a failed attempt to rescue Ahmed’s injured eye in Bahrain, he was transported to Saudi Arabia and then Ireland and Singapore where his damaged eye was replaced with a cosmetic alternative. Although free treatment was provided for Ahmed, authorities have evaded accountability and responsibility for the attack despite the availability of video and eyewitness evidence of the incident. Authorities have also gone further in their culture of impunity by neglecting to publish a statement of the attack, to accept responsibility and to apologise.

In addition to security personnel evading punishment for their crimes, Judicial authorities alongside the Public Prosecution have acted in a manner in which encourages State institutions to remain silent about these grave violations rather than pushing cases against them. Not only does this encourage a widespread policy of impunity, but inevitably leads to the recurrence of similar deliberate and premeditated incidents.

We at BRAVO encourage authorities to accept absolute responisbility to bring all perpetrators (principal, secondary or tertiary) to justice in order to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. We also encourage authorities to take steps in accepting accountability for human rights violations for the protection of children, and to implement Bahrain’s obligations under the Universal Declaration, the Geneva Conventions, the Paris Convention on the Rights of the Child and all other Human Rights Covenants acceded to and ratified.

BRAVO appeals to the international community and social organisations to shed light on the severe human rights violations in Bahrain, to encourage authorities to accept responsibility for their role in those crimes, and to place pressure on Bahraini authorities to stop the ever increasing levels of official State violence.

Related links:

1. Video footage
2. Bahrain riot police shot birdshot gun at 4 year old kid
3. UPDATE to the Statement on the 4 Year Old Childs Medical Emergency

Resurgence of Sexual Violence as a Torture Technique in Bahrain

Download this report

Summary

Sexual violence in its many forms has re-emerged as a torture technique in Bahrain. The Bahrain Independent Commission Inquiry report contains a disturbing litany of testimonies from victims of sexual violence occurring since February 2011.

Human Rights Watch had noted ongoing violations before 2010 but there has been a dramatic upsurge in rape, sodomy, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation of detainees in recent years.

Despite numerous testimonies and the findings of the BICI report the Bahraini government denies that sexual violence occurs in their prisons and detention centers.
Bahrain is a signatory of the Convention Against Torture and should repeal laws such as Law 56, 2002, which offers impunity for those responsible.

BRAVO calls for an independent review of all claims of sexual violence against detainees in Bahrain under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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Foundation Statement of Bahrain Human Rights Network BHRN

February 7, 2013

Member organizations and societies of BHRN listed as follows:
Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), Bahrain Society for Human Rights (BHRS), Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO), The European-Bahraini Organization for Human Rights (EBOHR) and Hope Defenders.

Declare that BHRN will work under common vision and goals to enhance democracy and principles of freedom and human rights.

The mission of BHRN is to coordinate between the members for the purpose of observing, documenting and monitoring human rights violations, establishing consolidated database and highlighting human rights violations in Bahrain.

In the view of such vision and goals, members of BHRN are
setting joint mechanisms in accordance with the international
standards in the field of human rights work. BHRN will be responsible for issuing joint statements and reports and establish database on human rights violations.

Members of BHRN do not intend to create a new human rights entity or organization, rather, a joint effort between Bahraini human rights organizations and societies.

BHRN will start working by means of a specific mechanism of observation which will be announced on the coming 14the of February, a day marking the second anniversary of protests outbreak. All human rights violations will be monitored and statements will be issued to highlight the status of human rights.

BHRN has held a number of founding meetings, adopted its bylaws and assigned Hasan Jaber as its coordinator. BHRN will be online through its website and other accounts in social networking websites.

BHRN hopes to find sound cooperation with international organizations and society as well as media in order to achieve its  vision and goals to protect and enhance human rights in Bahrain.

Related links
Press release of foundation statement of Bahrain Human Rights Network BHRN 

Launching of Bahrain Network for Human Rights – BNHR

An Invitation to a Press Conference

Launch (Bahrain Network for Human Rights- BNHR)

Location: Bahrain Society for Human Rights-BHRS
Time: 1:30 pm
Date: Thursday – 7 February 2013

Organizations:
Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights-BYSHR, Bahrain Center for Human
Rights-BCHR, Bahrain Human Rights Society-BHRS, Bahrain Rehabilitation and
Anti-Violence Organization-BRAVO, European – Bahraini Organisation For Human
Rights-EBOHR, and Hope Defenders.

For more information: Mr.Hassan Jaber – Network Coordinator 39992122
E-mail: hasan.aljaber@hotmail.com

BRAVO deeply concerned on a detainee suffers with hemophilia disease

BRAVO is very concerned on the life of the detainee in Bahraini prisons Ayman Abdul Shaheed Ramadan, he is twenty three years old, who suffers from hemophilia (A), a hereditary genetic disease a result of a lack of clotting factor eight, causing an imbalance in blood clotting leads to bleeding in the joints, tissues and even brain if the patient is exposed to any injury or friction with solid objects, sometimes even bleeding occurs without any injury.

BRAVO condemned the continued detention of Ayman who’s suffering from this terrible disease, with repeated exposure to setbacks because of the disease, most recently in July 2012 when he was transferred from prison to Salmaniya Medical Hospital, suffering from pain in the elbow and hip as a result of injuries suffered in detention as a result of beatings he received in prison (torture, according to him), which have led him to depression, forced his doctor in Salmaniya to turn him to a psychological counseling. As a result of the deterioration of his mental condition, he entered a psychiatric hospital and stayed for a long time while he was still in custody, which is another factor for the sustained physical and psychological setbacks.

The continuation of Ayman custody on with his serious case of illness and deterioration of mental and physical health, is a clear violation and arbitrarily of custody of patient in a dangerous situation and is incompatible with the respect for the dignity and health of detainees.

After all of the above, BRAVO demand the immediate release of the detainee Ayman Abdul Shaheed in order to preserve his endangered life, and returning back to his family after treatment (psychologically and physically), and stop all acts of degrading towards all detainees.

President Obama urged to help release Bahraini human rights defenders and activists

Dear Mr. President,

The Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), as well as the undersigned human rights organizations, call on you Mr. President to take substantive action towards securing the immediate release of 13 activists and human rights defenders who are arbitrarily detained in Bahrain. They have been charged and sentenced for exercising their right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Among the detained activists is the human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder and former President of BCHR, co-founder of GCHR and former Middle East and North Africa Protection Coordinator of Front Line Defenders.

On 7 January 2013, Bahrain’s Court of Cassation upheld the harsh prison sentences for the 13 men, some of whom have been sentenced to life in prison. The 13 were originally sentenced along with eight others by a military court in June 2011 in proceedings that were criticized for violating basic principles of due process – seven were tried in absentia and one has been released. The activists have been held in prison since March 2011, and several have been subjected to severe torture, which has been documented and published in a report released in November 2011 by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), a body appointed by the King.[1] These individuals have detailed to the court the torture they were subjected to throughout their detention, and even though their torturers have been identified, there has not been any investigation into these allegations.

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Statement on Sayed Yousif and Nabeel Rajab

January 23rd 2013 – Following our statement in December regarding the re-arrest and continued detention of the Human Rights Defender, Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah, BRAVO understands that he has been released on bail subject to his appearance in court in front of the Public Prosecutor on Tuesday 29^th January, and that the Government of Bahrain has persisted in ignoring the international appeals for ending the exhaustive measures to silence him.

It is clear that Sayed Yousif is not a criminal and that his sole offense is that of being a Human Rights Defender, which is such an affront to the Bahraini Regime that they have repeatedly removed his liberty altogether and incarcerated him on numerous occasions in recent months.

It is now widely acknowledged nationally and internationally that these measures are taken to gag Human Rights Defenders in the Gulf Kingdom, as is the situation in multiple countries where there are dictatorial regimes guilty of persecuting the populace.

We urge the Bahraini Regime to marshal their senses and drop all charges against Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah without further procrastination. Furthermore we encourage them to quash the charges against his fellow Human Rights Defender, the internationally lauded Mr. Nabeel Rajab, and to permit them both to resume their work as keen contributors to the welfare of Bahraini society as it enters this new age of social inclusion and democratic emergence.

BRAVO reaction to invitation for ‘talks’ between Regime Authorities and the People of Bahrain

BRAVO stresses the need for total inclusion from all sides of the spectrum of political society in the decision making process for the future of Bahrain, subsequent to the Bahraini Regimes invitation to resume political discussions to “representatives of the political societies and independent members of the political community… to achieve further consensus around the political agenda”.

It is hoped that the recent insistence from 30 respected International Civil Societies on U.S. President Barack Obama to intercede for the release of Bahrain’s 13 opposition political leaders, may lead to their release and that they be permitted to participate and lend some genuine balance to this globally anticipated dialogue.

There has never been a refusal by opposition groups to sit at a table for fully inclusive dialogue on reaching a comprehensive national consensus. However all parties must be permitted equal representation for there to be a wholly dynamic and legitimate conclusion.

Efforts to engage in dialogue where sections of society are alienated is unacceptable to the people, and while 13 of the most prominent political leaders remain imprisoned there is no possibility of credible productivity.

As a gesture of willingness to prove the serious and earnest desire for progress in “serving the interests of the Kingdom and its people” the Regime should release the political prisoners and detained human rights defenders as a matter of urgency, and it must be ensured that this dialogue not replicate the previous effort where marginalisation was evident from the outset.

Arrest of HRD Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah on the charge of spreading false information on Twitter

19 December 2012

Bahrain Center of Human Rights’s acting president Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah was arrested while attending a mass protest in the capital Manama to monitor and document police attacks. Said Yousif will be held until presented to public prosecution. He was charged with spreading false information on Twitter.

The re-arrest of Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah and his colleague Zainab AlKhawaja is an interruption to International Civil Societies efforts for a Peace Process in Bahrain, and to the many Governments and indeed the United Nations who are negotiating for a Democratic form, which recognizes Civil Liberty and Dignity, to be implemented in the country.

BRAVO is gravely concerned, knowing full well that this persistent vengeance against the most outspoken protagonists’ in Bahraini society will not continue to be endured without consequences.

We advise the Regime to release all Political Prisoners and listen to the voice of the Bahraini people, to stop the violent brutality against its citizens, and to engage in a diplomatic campaign for a Democratic Referendum that will embrace Constituents across the entire spectrum of Bahraini society.

Related Articles 

BRAVO calls for immediate release of Yousif AlMuhafdah

BRAVO treats a GCC citizen who was tortured in Bahrain prisons

BRAVO announces the successful treatment of a G.C.C. citizen who required a digital hearing device to be implanted after becoming partially deaf due to torture while in Detention.

The man was arrested on 11th March 2011 at the King Fahad Causeway on his way from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, without a warrant from the public prosecutor, and was interrogated without a lawyer present.

He stated that during his detention a Lieutenant accompanied by two masked civilians came into his prison cell and ordered the detainees to curse some of the religious and political Shiite figures and then sexually molested them. He reported that he was severely beaten about the head and that he started to bleed from his left ear, which caused him intense pain.

A G.C.C. lawyer, from his own country, followed his case .

He was released two weeks after his arrest and reported that he went to his Embassy to request aid for his medical condition and to seek removal of the travel ban that had been imposed upon him. Unfortunately the embassy persistently procrastinated and neglected to assist the victim in gaining adequate medical care for an entire year. Having exhausted his options and with no significant result, the man approached Bravo in a final effort to seek professional medical treatment.

His travel ban is still in place, although he continues to follow-up with officials; however they are waiting for approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his own country.

Subsequently his medical condition worsened and he suffered from profound sensory- neural hearing loss in his left ear.

The victim takes antibiotics and still suffers severe pain, he has a constant drainage of stained discharge from his ear and requires additional medical follow-up.

Open letter on the continuous oppression of Human Right Defenders in Bahrain

To Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya,
Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

As the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders responsible for the cases of HRDs, it is imperative that you visit Bahrain to investigate the crisis on the harassment of HRDs there.

Navi Pillay (UN High Commissioner for HR), Laura Depuy Lasserre (President of the Human Rights Council ) and June Ray (Chief of Civil Society Section) have each been outspoken in defense of the HRDs who attended the UPR Process in Geneva, both in May and again in September, and who were targeted and attacked for their participation.

The attacks are ongoing. 31 Bahrainis have had their citizenship revoked and there is a ‘black list’ of HRDs, Pro-Democracy and Civil Representatives who are prevented from entering other GCC and Arab countries, such as Dr. Nada Dhaif who was deported from Kuwait last week, and both Maryam AlKhawaja and Nabeel Rajab who were deported from Egypt.

Dr. Nada frequently receives threats about her children, and since her participation at the ICC in The Hague in recent days, there are calls for the removal of her citizenship. We have word of further 2 nd and 3rd lists of people who will have their citizenship revoked in tranches yet to come. No one feels safe.

While Abdulhadi AlKhawaja remains wrongly jailed on a long list of terror related charges, the case of Nabeel Rajab is entirely different with all of his charges related to Freedom of Expression and Assembly, freedoms which are continuing to be breached by the Bahrain authorities.

We urge as many Special Rapporteurs as possible to visit Bahrain. Although we anticipate that their access will be delayed, such as with Juan Mendez, Special Rapporteur on Torture, and we are still waiting for his visit to materialize. Yet this will make a difference when we ask for the Special Session in the Human Rights Council on Bahrain.

We believe that the recent release of HRD Said Yousif AlMuhafdah was as a result of the UN High Commissioners Office intervention that we sought last week.

On this, the Anniversary of the BICI Report (Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry), we urge you to please visit Bahrain as a priority; it will make a great deal of difference to the HRD who are being persecuted, particularly and most critically in the case of Nabeel Rajab.

Tara O’Grady
Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organisation Limited

Related articles:

• UN team to travel to Bahrain to discuss accountability for human rights abuses
• Bahraini civil society leaders meet in The Hague and call for international support to stop repression and promote respect for human rights in Bahrain
• Bahrain: Supporting Capacity Building of human rights violations monitoring of Civil Society

The BICI Reforms: Promises of Progress, a Worsening Reality

19 November 2012

“The BICI Reforms: Promises of Progress, a Worsening Reality” report evaluates the progress that has been made by the Government of Bahrain towards reforming its record of human rights violations, and marks the one year anniversary of the recommendations presented by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).

The BICI report was a scathing critique of the authority’s behavior in the months following the start of the pro-democracy demonstrations in February 2011. It found that torture, extrajudicial killings, and warrantless arrests were common practice in Bahrain. Specifically in regards to the raids on homes and arbitrary arrests, the BICI report found that these operations involved “unnecessary excessive force, accompanied by terror-inspiring behaviour on the part of the security forces in addition to unnecessary damage to property” and that “the very fact that a systematic pattern of behaviour existed indicates that this is how these security forces were trained and how they were expected to act. This could not have happened without the knowledge of higher echelons of the command structure of the MoI and NSA.” It was never clearer that human rights abuses were a deeply rooted problem within the government.

The King’s promise that he would implement sweeping reforms to address these violations was initially met with a cautious degree of optimism by the authors of this report and many governments and NGOs around the world. Swift and earnest reforms could have represented a strong step forwards towards national reconciliation. One year later, the government has had ample time to act, but has, in general, only made superficial progress. Today, we look at Bahrain and see a government that puts its efforts into presenting the image of reforms, while continuing to commit the same human rights violations; in certain respects, the situation has grown worse.

This report is issued in conjunction with the Bahrain Rehabilitation & Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) and the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR).

Download Report “The BICI Reforms: Promises of Progress, a Worsening Reality”

BRAVO Statement on Nada Dhaif deportation from Kuwait

BRAVO condemns the deportation today (November 15th 2012) of its Chairman Dr. Nada Dhaif from Kuwait. Dr. Dhaif was apprehended in front of her children, intimidated and taken for interrogation, while her children and husband were left in a distressed state with no indication of when or if she would be released.

In a statement earlier today Dr. Dhaif reported:

“I arrived to Kuwait with my family at 10 am and was informed at the passport check that my name is on ‘the list of Bahraini ‘s who are denied access to Kuwait’.

I was taken directly to the Passport Department were the officer asked me couple of questions about when it was that I last entered Kuwait. Then I was transferred immediately to State Security apparatus where I was interrogated for 2:30 hrs by Officers in civilian clothes who refused to reveal their identities, names or rank, despite that I asked for this information and to know upon what basis I was being questioned.

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BRAVO calls for immediate release of Yousif AlMuhafdah

BRAVO declares in the strongest terms that the arbitrary detention of Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah contravenes all international protocols on Human Rights and is an affront to modern mechanisms of civil liberties in every corner of the globe.

The persistent targeting and persecution of Human Rights Defenders in Bahrain is a retaliation against calls for social inclusion, an end to state sponsored brutality and the release of political prisoners. These people have been incarcerated based on their political opinions or out-spokeness against the regime aggressiveness that has been prolific since the return of the Bahraini Delegation to the UNHRC in Geneva in September.

This assertion is based on our conversation with Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah from prison last night when he stated that he believes that the Human Rights defenders have been targeted for having taken their case to Geneva and exposing the Regime openly at International level.

While he confirmed that in general the prison conditions are not bad, and that he is not being tortured or beaten himself, he voiced strong concerns regarding some inmates who have critical conditions and who should be in hospital, not prison. He asked BRAVO to intercede on their behalf, to seek solidarity with our NGO partners and contacts in the International Community, and to actively seek help for them in practical terms.

AlMuhafdah was interrogated for his participation in what is considered by the regime to be ‘illegal gatherings’, but which in fact are pro-democracy demonstrations and protected under the right to Freedom of Assembly.

During his questioning the Prosecutor asked him if he ‘went to Geneva’ and if he had given a speech or presentation? AlMuhafdah admitted that he had participated in the UPR.
He believes that this detention was in reprisal for partaking in the UPR Process in Geneva and that he and Mohammed AlMaskati (President of the Bahrain Youth Society, who was also interrogated and received death threats) were singled out specifically for their activities relating to the defence of Human Rights.

BRAVO calls upon all International NGO Partners and individuals of rational conscience to move urgently for the release of Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdah and to ensure that reprisals are ceased against all Human Rights Defenders and members of civil society who participate in NGO’s in Bahrain. The aggressive persecution of people based on their legitimate service to the safeguarding of their community is an insult to every free-thinking code of conduct and to the Rule of Law.

Related Articles:

• Three days after release of BCHR Report on Impunity, Arrest of Acting Vice President Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah
• Bahrain clamps down on NGOs

BRAVO Calls for Release of Detainee “Adnan Al-Mansi” and is Willing to Provide Him With The Necessary Medical Care

Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) has been following the news and reports concerning the detainee Adnan Al-Mansi (24), who was detained on 30/05/2012 from the General Directorate of Immigration and Passports while he went to renew his passport. The security authorities have accused him of being a member of a group of 13 that made “fake” bombs. Since his detention, Adnan has not been given a trial but instead his suspension has been renewed several times and he has so far spent more than 175 days (more than five months) in prison.

According to Adnan’s family, he suffers from serious sickle-cell disease and he was tortured (physically and psychologically) from the very moment that he was detained from the General Directorate of Immigration and Passports building and while he was being transferred in the police vehicle. Adnan was badly beaten on his head and back, which resulted in inflammation on the left side of the head and constant headaches in addition to a bend sustained in his spinal column.

Moreover, reports and statements from several parties including Adnan’s family and lawyer revealed that Adnan has undergone extremely humiliating treatments that violate all heavenly religions, constitutions and ordinances as he was raped by inserting an object in his anus that resulted in severe hemorrhaging and conglomerated blood in that area. A surgery was necessary to remove the tumor.

Medical reports and statements affirm that Adnan is still suffering from severe pain and his health condition worsens every day. He is unable neither to sit nor to use the toilet for normal bodily functions, and he requires specialized treatment, both physically and psychologically, which is unavailable in prison.

Therefore, BRAVO calls on the authorities in Bahrain to immediately release Adnan and allow us provide the necessary physical and psychological treatment to him even if this requires him to travel, and in such case, BRAVO is ready to take care of all expenses.

In addition, BRAVO calls on all parties and Human Rights defenders to pressure the security authorities to release Al-Mansi so that he can be treated, as receiving medical care is a basic human right for all.

Statement on doctors verdicts today October 1, 2012

Bahrain’s highest court upholds the previous ruling to convict 9 doctors & nurses by sentencing them to jail from between one month and 5 years.

These medics participated in treating protesters during the uprising in Bahrain during March 2011.

After the crackdown by the security forces on the protesters, these medics were targeted, they were detained, tortured (as proved by the BICI report & forensic doctors’ report) and convicted in military court to jail sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years.

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Lawyers to investigate RCSI stance on Bahraini conflict

A legal team is to examine the RCSI’s involvement with the Bahraini government during the 2011 uprising, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.

Prof Damian McCormack, Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Mater Hospital and campaigner for the Irish-trained Bahraini doctors arrested during the unrest, said that Irish human rights lawyers, Ceartas, will be looking into the RCSI’s dealings with Bahrain “forensically”.

“The RCSI Bahrain interrogated their students and asked some to sign a pledge of allegiance to the regime. One senior administrator at the facility in Manama was let go after his nephews, Drs Bassim Dhaif and Gassan Dhaif, were arrested. I think the lawyers will be looking at all these issues,” he said. He added that “if there is a potential charge against the RCSI, it will happen”.

He said that the College has remained silent on the arrest of Dr Fatima Haji, who was a lecturer at the RCSI campus in Bahrain and who was allegedly tortured in detention.

“The RCSI continues to do business as if essentially nothing has happened,” said Prof McCormack. “Unfortunately it is not going to be allowed do that. Someone will have to pay for its behaviour, either voluntarily or not. It may decide, however, that it didn’t do as good a job as it should have and maybe someone should lose their job over it.”

The RCSI was contacted by MI but declined to comment. However, in June of this year, the RCSI said that it was deeply concerned at the jailing of doctors. Prof McCormack also said that Ceartas will also be looking at a number of other “companies and organisations”.

Ceartas’s initial focus will be on the public system, the legal system and the public prosecutor in Bahrain, Prof McCormack explained. He added that Ceartas will also try to get accreditation removed for some Bahraini military hospitals.

He added that he and the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organisation General Secretary Tara O’Grady will travel to the UN’s Human Rights Council meeting in September to highlight alleged human rights abuses in Bahrain.

Source Medical Independent

Bravo Statement on the recent update of the Bahraini Medics Trial

The 20 Medics ‘felony group’, who were harshly sentenced and convicted in Military Court last year appealed in the Civil Court, and 9 were acquitted, 9 had their sentences reduced, (to between 1 month and 5 years), while two of the convicted are outside Bahrain and had their verdicts upheld.

None of those acquitted were returned to their jobs at the Ministry of Health. Those who were convicted appealed the sentences at the highest Court of Cassation, which postponed its decision until the 1st of October.

The Court, instead of ordering investigation into the allegations made by the Medics of their torture, agreed with the General Prosecutor that they would not take confessions into consideration. This should not be the case if this is to be considered a fair trial, moreover the allegations of torture should be investigated before the verdict.

The General Prosecutor issued a statement saying that they are investigating the allegations of torture of Medics; they say that they found 15 perpetrators who were involved, but still none of those accused of abuse have been taken to court and there are no details of the charges brought against them or who they are. Nor has there been any call for witnesses from the group of Medics who were tortured.

The ‘misdemeanor group’ consists of 28 Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics, their case is still ongoing through the Court. The verdict was supposed to have been issued on the 4th of September but the judiciary postponed it claiming that they are investigating allegations of torture. The hearing today was adjourned until the 2nd of October.

Although the entire ‘misdemeanor group’ was returned to work, they are not in the same locations or positions they originally held, and their salaries have not been given to them in full.

One of the Doctors commented:

“We are not expecting a fair trial for the remaining Medics, despite International pressure and NGO’s stating that these Medics, if jailed, would be considered Prisoners of Conscience.”

Statement on Ahmed Oun: A participant in the Pro-Democracy Movement

BRAVO stated on 8th August 2012, that the 17 year old youth Ahmed Oun, who was recently released from prison, having been arrested after he was shot by police with lead pellets during a democratic protest last May, has been moved to receive urgent medical care for his eye injury.

Protestors are almost guaranteed to be arrested at public hospitals if they present themselves with injuries related to the democratic movement. Ahmed sought care at a private hospital, from where he was harvested by plain-clothes police officers on 13th May, before surgery could take place to remove the pellet that was lodged in his eye. Arresting him in this manner, and in the diminished physical condition that he was in, was condemned by the medical practitioner in attendance, but to no avail.

In June, Ahmed contacted his family and complained of loss of sight from his eye, however in spite of the pleas of the international community for humane treatment, the prison authorities and relevant Ministers refused to provide surgical care for him. In response to this dozens of his fellow prisoners launched a hunger strike in protest for him not having access to humanitarian medical care.

Since his release, he and his brother Hassan, who has also been shot in the face and requires surgery to his eye and head , both were made aware of the BRAVO initiative and are now receiving the appropriate professional medical care through BRAVO facilitation.