By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain has detained approximately fifty doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel for aiding anti-government protesters, according to human rights officials. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights has reported that among those detained were twenty-four doctors, twenty-three nurses and paramedics. Further reports indicate that the detainees are possibly being held on a military base and that almost all of them were tortured.
One medical professional who had been detained claimed that she was humiliated by her captors, beat with a hose, and forced to dance for them.
The Center for Human Rights also reported that most people who need treatment are no longer going to hospitals but are staying at home because the military is now occupying the hospital. People are afraid that they will be arrested and tortured should they go to the hospital.
It is alleged that the military forces has tortured medical personnel because they have revealed to the international press the number of people who Sheik Hamed ibn Isa Khalifa, Bahrain’s king, has suppressed.
Bahrain’s Justice Ministry has charged forty-seven doctors and nurses with attempting to overthrow the monarchy and participating in illegal demonstrations and plans to try them in military court.
A senior party leader of the Al-Wefaq party, Khalil Al-Marzzoq, claimed that the government was targeting the opposition systematically “segment by segment”.
In addition to medical personnel, the government has also detained other groups of people who have supported the uprising, including teachers, politicians, and students. According to the Center for Human Rights, people have been fired from their jobs and had their money stolen.
President Barack Obama has spoken with King Hamed by phone, urging him to be lenient with four protesters, who were sentenced to death last week for their involvement in killing two police officers during the uprising.
Amnesty International has called upon the Bahraini government to end its repressive actions and to release any opposition protesters who have been detained for demonstrating peacefully. Bahrain’s parliament voted to extend the state of emergency today. Emergency law has been used to arrest without a warrant, detain protesters, and try civilians in military courts.
Reports have also indicated that the military has allegedly destroyed a few Shi’a mosques because they did not have building permits.
For more information please see:
Amnesty International – Bahrain Renews Emergency Law as Repression Persists – 04 May 2011
LA Times – Bahrain: Medical staff face prosecution, alleged torture after aiding anti-government protesters – 04 May 2011
Wall Street Journal – Bahrain to Put Medical Staff on Trial – 04 May 2011
