On 12th September 2024, ADHRB delivered an intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 57 under item 2 during the General debate. ADHRB held Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman, and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, responsible for the growing culture of impunity.
We draw the council’s attention to the ongoing impunity of Bahraini officials responsible for torture and other human rights violations in Bahraini prisons. Despite three recent royal pardons, these measures fall short, as no perpetrators have been held accountable, and the same violations persist.
One example is political prisoner Ayoob Adel Ahmed, serving a life sentence since 2015. Once a healthy young man, he developed a permanent disability after his arrest due to torture and medical neglect. He continues to be denied treatment, and perpetrators are still not held accountable.
Between July and August 2024, as temperatures rose to 50°C, the Jau Prison administration retaliated against prisoners’ by cutting off water, electricity, food supplies, and phone access. Despite calls from UN experts, many buildings still face restricted services, and no one has been held accountable.
We hold Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman, and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, responsible for the growing culture of impunity. We urge the Council to pressure Bahrain to end this culture of impunity.
