NIHR continues to attend the trial sessions of the accused by killing an inmate at the correctional and rehabilitation center.
The National Institution for Human Rights, within its mandate to monitor human rights conditions, has attended seven trial sessions related to the case of the inmate (Y.A.K.) who was killed in the Correction and Rehabilitation Center (Jau) following a dispute among inmates. The purpose of this attendance is to ensure fair trial procedures, starting from the initial session held in the First Grand Criminal Court on November 28, 2023, with the objective of verifying that there is no suspicion of torture or mistreatment by law enforcement officers against the victim, and that the incident was handled professionally by the center’s officials.
NIHR confirms the presence of fair trial guarantees during the sessions it attended, where the four defendants (J.A.), (F.M.), (F.H.), and (A.M.) were present. To ensure the safety of testimony from some prosecution witnesses who are inmates, virtual hearings were conducted. These sessions were conducted publicly, with the presence of lawyers, the victim's family, security force witnesses, and clinic staff from the Correction and Rehabilitation Center. No violations of the litigants' rights were detected, and the next session is scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2024, to continue hearing prosecution witnesses.
The NIHR reiterates its commitment to safeguarding human rights in Bahrain and will continue attending trial sessions across all levels until the final verdict is reached in this case. Additionally, it emphasizes its ongoing cooperation with judicial authorities and the provision of feedback based on its monitoring activities within the bounds of fair trial standards.
