Husain Najeeb Eid was a 22-year-old university student when he was arbitrarily detained by the Bahraini authorities. During his interrogation, he was subjected to several human rights violations. He is currently detained in Jau Prison. Husain suffers from sickle cell anemia but is denied proper health care by the prison administration. Recently, Husain was a cause for concern when he started to display some symptoms of the coronavirus disease, which can be fatal for a sickle cell anemia sufferer.
In the early hours of 29 May 2014, Husain was arrested in his own bedroom. His house was raided by riot police and masked officers wearing black clothing. No warrant was presented during his arrest. On the same day, Husain called his mother to let her know he was fine. He was then forcibly disappeared for approximately five days. During this period, his family were unable to know anything about his whereabouts and his fate. Until now, Husain’s family knows very little about what happened to him during the interrogation, which lasted almost a month. During the day, he would be interrogated and tortured at the Criminal Investigation Building in Adliya, and then he would be returned to Al-Rifaa Police Station at night.
Husain Najeeb Eid was convicted of the following charges in the Bahraini Hezbollah case: 1) possession of arms, 2) joining a terrorist organization, 3) attempted murder, 4) illegal Assembly and rioting, and 5) acquiring arms and explosives in a public place. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and his citizenship was revoked in June 2016. No decisions were issued by the Court of Appeal nor the Court of Cassation because his parents could not afford the legal expenses.
Prior to his arrest in 2014, Husain suffered from major health complications, he also underwent operations and had consultations with specialist doctors. He suffers from sickle cell anemia disease and within prison, his condition has deteriorated. In prison, Husain has been denied adequate medical care by the prison administration. Since his arrest in 2014, he has been admitted into the hospital several times. Yet, prison officials only provide him with false promises to ensure he is provided with the necessary medical treatment, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Husain raised concerns that he had been infected by the virus after he started to show some symptoms. This was especially worrying given that in Husain’s health condition, the virus could be fatal.
Husain’s family has limited knowledge of his case, the charges that were brought against him and his time in detention.
Bahrain’s actions against Husain Eid are in direct violation of several International Treaties to which Bahrain is a signatory; such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), in relation to the torture and ill treatment he faced during interrogation and during his time in prison, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It also violates Bahrain’s own constitution on several notes.
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) urges the Bahraini Government to uphold their human rights obligations. We ask for Husain to be given a fair trial and that prisoners are provided with necessary medical care. More specifically, we are calling upon the Bahraini authorities to provide Husain Najeeb Eid with the urgent medical care he requires as a sickle cell anemia sufferer.
