and the Ministry of Interior Prevents the Families from Knowing the Fate of their Injured Sons

The Prison Manager Colonel Ibrahim Saif Al-Najran and to the right The Central Prison of Jaw

12 August 2010

Bahrain Center for Human Rights received new information that a group of detainees in the Central Prison of "Jaw" – convicted in security and political issues - are being subjected once again to assaults at the hands of the Special Forces in an attempt to break the hunger strike which the detainees had initiated in protest against the abuse they faced inside the abovementioned prison and the cruel prison circumstances.

VISITS to Bahrain's central prison could start being rescheduled from next week, according to families who showed up there yesterday demanding access to their relatives.

It follows the cancellation of visits to inmates after clashes with security at Jaw Prison.

Six families showed up at the prison yesterday seeking access to their loved ones, but left three hours later after being denied permission.

However, rights activists say they are still waiting for a response from authorities after demanding access to the prison more than a week ago.

RELATIVES of inmates at Bahrain's central prison were turned away yesterday after showing up to demand access.

Visits to Jaw Prison have been suspended following the launch of a hunger strike just over a week ago.

Families are demanding information about the inmates' health, but authorities have remained tight-lipped on the situation - saying only that police had to use force to bring unruly prisoners under control last week.

FAMILIES of inmates at Bahrain's central prison protested in Naim village yesterday demanding access to their relatives who launched a hunger strike six days ago.

They claim Jaw Prison cancelled their visits and won't allow them to speak to their relatives.

Inmates are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise time and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

However, the Interior Ministry earlier branded the demands "illegal".

A HUNGER strike launched by inmates at Bahrain's central prison five days ago is still ongoing, according to human rights activists.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has received information from inside Jaw Prison that the inmates are still vigilant about the strike, despite efforts by police to stop them.

They are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise time and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

However, the Interior Ministry earlier branded the items as illegal, saying they were impossible to attain.

RIGHTS groups yesterday demanded access to inmates who launched a hunger strike at Bahrain's central prison on Sunday.

The inmates at Jaw Prison are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise periods and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

One rights group said prison visits had been cancelled as a result of the protest and accused guards of using heavy-handed tactics to bring inmates under control on Monday.

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), a nongovernmental organization in special consultative status with the Human Rights Council; and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) would like to express grave concern over the deteriorating state of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the failure of the government to Implement the voluntary pledges and recommendations received in the country’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The BCHR commends the role played by the Organization in the Arab Gulf Region

30 July 2010

The Frontline organization held a reception celebration in honor of the president of the BCHR, Mr. Nabeel Rajab during his visit to the Irish Republic in the period 1 to 20 April, at the invitation of the organization.