Amnesty International expressed deep concerns over the torture of political prisoners by the Bahraini regime, urging Manama to ensure that the rights of all prisoners are fully respected.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the allegations of beatings of prisoners in Jaw Prison on March 10, as well as of the use of tear gas in confined spaces,” Amnesty International said in a statement on Wednesday.
The international body also urged the Bahraini authorities to make public the results of its investigations into the events on that day, the statement added.
The organization also said it is concerned about "the allegations of ill-treatment of prisoners in block six, and that children are being detained alongside adult prisoners," adding that the move is in violation of international human rights laws and standards.
Amnesty International further called on the Bahraini government to immediately and unconditionally release "13 leading opposition activists and other prisoners of conscience in Bahrain".
Bahrain's main opposition group al-Wefaq has raised the alarm over the plight of more than 1300 inmates being held in the Persian Gulf country's notorious Jaw prison.
The opposition group has reported that the prisoners are beaten by guards, and banned from family visits and even phone-calls. Al-Wefaq has called on the International Red Cross to take action to protect the inmates.
Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain. Protesters initially called for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy.
However, the demand later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.
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