MANAMA — In a stark reminder of the ongoing crackdown on religious dissent, the Salam Organisation for Democracy and Human Rights has issued a severe condemnation regarding the treatment of detained Shiite scholars by Bahraini security forces. According to newly documented reports and testimonies, prominent religious figures arrested across the country are being subjected to a systematic pattern of abuse, humiliation, and blatant human rights violations.
A Pattern of Degrading Treatment
The human rights watchdog highlighted disturbing testimonies revealing that detained Shiite ulama (scholars) have faced physical and verbal assaults, alongside behaviour explicitly designed to demean them based on their religious affiliation. During interrogations, security officers have reportedly subjected these respected clerics to sectarian insults, mockery of their faith, and intense psychological pressure.
Most alarmingly, the report details that several scholars have been subjected to horrific intimidation tactics, including threats of sexual assault and explicit threats to revoke their Bahraini citizenship. Furthermore, detainees are facing intense coercion to sign interrogation minutes against their will, a tactic frequently used to manufacture false confessions.
Mockery of Justice and Legal Rights
The Salam Organisation emphasised that these egregious actions constitute a clear violation of both international human rights standards and domestic laws. The abuses directly contradict recent assertions made by the Bahraini Public Prosecution, which claimed that defendants are provided with full legal guarantees and rights during their detention.
Adding to the systemic injustice, the organisation noted that defence lawyers are being severely hindered in their duties. Attorneys are reportedly not being granted sufficient time to access case files or review necessary documents, effectively stripping the detainees of their right to a proper legal defence.
A Call for Independent Investigation
By encroaching on the independence of the judiciary and overstepping their legal authority, law enforcement bodies in Bahrain are undermining the constitutional rights of the accused. The Salam Organisation expressed deep concern regarding the integrity of the ongoing judicial process, warning that the current climate raises serious doubts about the guarantee of a fair trial.
Instead of delivering justice, the organisation fears these trials are being turned into mere formalities designed to legitimise the state’s illegal and oppressive actions against the defendants. The Salam Organisation is now urging for an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into these documented abuses to hold the perpetrators accountable and protect the fundamental rights of the detained scholars.
Reference: ABNA24