162 Bahraini political prisoners demand provision of humane conditions in the regime’s prisons

162 political detainees - in Building No. 10 in Jaw Central Prison - have sent a letter to the Bahraini authorities, through the prison administration, demanding the provision of humanitarian conditions in light of the worsening of their poor & inhumane conditions.

In the said letter it has been stated:

We (162) prisoners in No. (10) whose names are attached, hope that our message will be seriously noticed; that integrated & sustainable solutions will be found for the exacerbating suffering; and that prisoners will be able to meet their rights.

These grievances were previously raised; however, we did not seek proper solutions, which consequently has widened the gap between the prison administration and the prisoners.

Among these demands:

 (1) Abolition of punitive security isolation, which does not comply with the right of prisoners to a decent life and harms them financially & psychologically.  Man is a social being by nature, and when he is isolated in an environment that is inappropriate for his social & cultural nature, he loses his rights, such as performing his religious rituals.
 
Accordingly, we demand a radical solution to these plights, which exacerbate as they are not addressed.

(2) We demand that we be allowed to perform congregational prayer in the designated place, since it is the greatest ritual for all Muslims.  Unfortunately, however, the administrative procedures followed in the prison prevent us from performing this ritual.

(3) We demand that the current sunbathing system be amended as it does not meet the health & humanitarian needs of the prisoners.  It is not possible for a prisoner to practice -  during less than 45 minutes - his activities such as sports, communication, shaving, etc.

(4) Amending the current visitation system by allowing the prisoner to meet with his family for 2 hours per month (instead of the current practice, i.e. half an hour);  Allowing him to meet his relatives - of the second degree - is a legal & constitutional right.  Increasing the permitted number to (6) relatives;  That it be done without a glass barrier.  Likewise, the current regime denies prisoners the exceptional exit to participate in the burial ceremonies of their relatives, in flagrant violation of the law, customs and traditions.

(5) Prisoners need proper & adequate health care and enable them to obtain the necessary medication;  Unfortunately, the health care crisis is one of the most critical plights that the - previous & current - administrations have failed to address, despite the death of many prisoners due to medical negligence.

(6) The prisoner has the right to communicate with his relatives and friends, which is the most right that would reduce the negative prison pressures.  Being the one who bears the high cost of communication, we demand a reduction in the cost; Increase call period to 90 minutes;  Increase the number of contacts to enable us to communicate with relatives & friends.  Preventing a prisoner from communicating with his relatives and friends is a clear interference in his privacy and isolating him from the outside world.

- This is what needs to be clarified.  We hope that these demands will be viewed realistically and fairly.