Bahraini citizen beaten severely, used as human shield, then placed in hospital arrest
Victim's family has been denied rights to visit or information
Urgent Appeal Ref. 24/05/07
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) is highly concerned about the health and well being of a Bahraini citizen by the name of Ali Saeed Al-Khabbaz, 22 years, from Al-Qufool. An eyewitness told BCHR that he saw Al-Khabbaz being beaten severely by more than ten of the Special Security Police, most of them were non-Bahrainis.
"They were beating him continuously all over his body, they hit his head against the wall until he started bleeding. After that one of the police held him up from his hair, putting a rubber bullet gun on his shoulder, and pushing him forward using him as human shield against protesters stones while advancing in the narrow streets"
Mr. Al-Khabbaz was arrested on the 21st of this month when security forces attacked a peaceful gathering by the house of the political activist Hassan Mushaima in relation to solidarity with the latter.
The family of the victim have heard about the brutal way their son was beaten and that he was transferred to the Military hospital suffering of severe injuries. They have written a letter of urgent appeal, asking human rights organization for an intervention in their sons case. On the 23rd of May, the family gathered at the Al-Nuaim police station demanding to see their son. After about four hours the family, including ten women and their children, refused to leave, the special police were brought and the family were physically thrown out. Now, after four days from the arrest, Al-Khabbaz's family still do not know about his condition, and they have been denied any visitation or information.
The BCHR urges the authorities to release Mr. Al-Khabbaz. If there are any sound charges against him, his rights must be insured in accordance with international standards, including the prompt visit by his family and access to a lawyer and in biased medical care.
The BCHR calls for urgent and impartial investigation in the use of excessive force by the Special Security Police, especially in Mr. Al-Khabbaz case, and to bring violators to Justice.