(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - During its stay in Bahrain, from April 15 to 19, the HRW delegation interviewed 14 young men, including 7 children, who asserted that the police attacked them severely after arresting them for taking part in non-violent protests.
Also, HRW asserted in its report that these beatings occurred after the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) issued a report in November pledging an end to the torture of civilians by regime forces.
On this level, deputy Middle East director at HRW, Nadim Houry, stated, "Bahrain has displaced the problem of torture and police brutality from inside police stations to the point of arrest and transfer to police stations."
"This abuse contradicts one of the most important recommendations of the independent commission and shows why investigations and prosecutions of abusers to the highest level are essential to stopping these practices," Houry added.
Talking to victims of the Bahraini police abuse, HRW sensed their distrust in the police of the public prosecutor, as they would not take any step against police personnel directly abusing civilians, even if the latter file complaints.
"Bahrain's public prosecutor, as well as the commanders of security forces, need to prove they are willing to hold officers at all levels accountable for beating and humiliating protesters," Houry said.
Following direct "watch" by human rights organizations, the HRW report indicated some "rapid progress" done by the authorities only while being watched.
"Bahrain's leaders need to make clear that they will investigate and punish those responsible for abuses when the cameras are off," the report further added, with reference to the video cameras that were installed in police investigation rooms at the recommendations of the BICI.
On another hand, HRW stated it had witnessed clashes between police forces and peaceful protesters. In one case observed by HRW in the village of Diraz on April 15, the regime forces exploited teargas and pepper spray to disperse and detain protesters taking part in an anti-government protest, which did not demonstrate any sign of violent acts.
"Instead of using force reflexively, Bahraini police should work with community leaders to establish ground rules that would allow opposition supporters to protest peacefully and visibly, even if protests are technically unauthorized, so long as they are non-violent," Houry added in his report.
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