Apr 15, 2014
Baseless allegations of torture will be challenged by Bahrain law says Interior Minister
Manama, 14/04/2014 (BNA)-- Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa defied those alleging corroborated torture in Bahrain to provide evidence substantiating their claims.
He asserted today that torture is banned by the constitution and is punishable by the law in Bahrain. "There is tough punishment for those convicted of torture and the Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to abiding by related international conventions and agreements in this respect," he said, affirming that those who make false allegations about torture will be challenged by the law.
Speaking in an interview with Bahrain TV, he asserted that prisoners' rights are protected in Bahrain and there are many authorized bodies to visit prisons and detention centers like the judiciary, the Public Prosecution, the Ombudsman, the Commission of the Rights of Prisoners and Detainees and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Interior Minister said detention centers and prisons in Bahrain have been equipped with CCTV cameras as part of the Ministry’s efforts to ensure transparency in detention procedures. "There is a high degree of self-monitoring by the Interior Ministry and any allegation of torture cases should be based on concrete evidence," the minister stressed, pointing out that there must be no confusion between torture and cases of maltreatment which are being handled by the Ombudsman Secretariat General, and when proven legal procedures are taken
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/613790
