Nov 25, 2014
Ombudsman Office: Interior Minister issues a Ministerial Order to prevent any member of the public authority or law enforcement officers (non-prison or detention facility staff) to call or question any person in prison or detention except with the permission of the Public Prosecution
Manama, 19 November 2014, The Ombudsman Office stated that the efforts and investigations into the incident and the death of an inmate in the Directorate of Reform and Rehabilitation (Jau Prison) are still ongoing in cooperation with the concerned authorities in the Ministry of Interior and the Special Investigations Unit. It added that it is keeping a close eye on the criminal element of the investigation and that the Special Investigation Unit has referred the accused parties to the High Criminal Court. The first court hearing will be held on 25 November 2014.
Moreover, the Ombudsman Office's statement said that "its efforts are also ongoing with regard to administrative and procedural aspect of the case in line with the principle of ensuring accountab to find practical and preventative safeguards to ensure that the rights of prisoners and detainees are not violated or infringed upon, and that no one is subjected to any form of torture or inhuman treatment or degrading treatment".
The Office confirmed that it had made a recommendation to the Ministry of Interior which stipulated "to prevent any member of the public authority or law enforcement officers (non-prison or detention facility staff) to call or question any person in prison or detention except with the permission of the public prosecutor."
The Interior Ministry has accepted to this recommendation, with H.E the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, issuing Ministerial Order number (217) for the year 2014.
In conclusion, the Ombudsman Office expressed its appreciation for the decision of the Minister of Interior, adding that the acceptance of the recommendation mentioned and the issuance of a decision to do so, strengthens the safeguards and human rights of prisoners and detainees. The decision is also a preventive measure to prevent a recurrence of the circumstances that led to the death of the inmate at the Directorate of Reform and Rehabilitation in the future.
For more information please contact the Ombudman Office by email on inter@Ombudsman.bh or by phone on 13308888 – 00973.
