Bahrain: families of detainees subjected to degrading harassments during visits

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Liberties and Human Rights Department (LHRD) in Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society made an urgent appeal on the unprecedented harassments the detainees in the Dry Dock prison. Families of political detainees complained of the degrading manner in checkpoints they and their relative detainees are subjected to. They also complained of being made to wait long hours before they could see their detained relatives.The detainees were isolated during the family visits. The families were treated inhumanly, one child was crying for water, and was prevented from any for that. A number of women fell unconscious. Some women were also pushed and verbally abused.The new visit-rooms completely isolate the detainees from their families, they are not able to shake hands and have no privacy for conversation as two policemen stand in every family meeting.The LHRD in Al-Wefaq said this behavior reflects desire for revenge and retaliation and does not reflect a civilized manner of an official party. More than 15 families were subjected to this inhumane and degrading treatment on Monday 8th July 2013./129