Bahrain Mirror: The Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society declared that it is necessary to take action to save prisoners of conscience in Bahrain, who are subjected to various forms of harassment, oppression and deprivation in prisons.

It said that prisoners of conscience in Bahrain are hostages used by the regime to put pressure on the great popular movement demanding democracy, social justice and freedom.

Al-Wefaq pointed out that the regime practices harassment, oppression and deprivation by continuing the degrading treatment, prohibiting medical treatment and detaining prisoners in the so-called isolation, which are places of punishment that are devoid of any human dimension.

Sources inside the prison reported that those who prayed in congregation or read a du'aa (invocation) were punished by solitary confinement even if they had a security permission to pray and invoke.

As for the deprivation of treatment, there are severe and serious cases. Some are exposed to conditions that forced some prisoners to pull their teeth by primitive ways with the help of inmates, without local anesthesia or appropriate health conditions.

Al-Wefaq said that the international community and the free world must act before it is too late to protect prisoners of conscience, who amount to more than 5,000 political prisoners, according to some sources.

The society pointed out that the prisons of the Bahraini regime are full of activists, academics, media professionals, political leaders and religious scholars, adding that there are women, children, sick people and elderly among the political prisoners.

It reminded the world that a number of political prisoners died due to poor conditions inside prisons, which could multiply if urgent action is not taken to rescue them.

Al-Wefaq called for the immediate release of political prisoners, stressing that they have the right to freedom and to life, rather than detention and torture because of their demands for freedom, democracy and justice.

"We call upon our free and proud people to continue to support prisoners and show solidarity with them by all available peaceful means and in various religious and national forums and events," Al-Wefaq said.

Arabic Version