400 prisoners on hunger strike for second day in Bahrain

Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society in Bahrain said that 400 prisoners in Jo Prison in the south of the country continue their hunger strike for the second day protesting “excessive violations.”

Bahraini interior ministry denied Al-Wefaq’s accusations regarding the “excessive violations” and said the “claims have nothing to do with reality.”

The opposition society noted that a number of the hunger strikers had “passed out” after they were beaten and insulted. Heads of some prisoners were shaved, according to Al-Wefaq, as a sign of “humiliation,” and “religious figures were insulted before them.”

Writing on Twitter, Al-Wefaq reported that the families of the prisoners called upon the International Red Cross and human rights organisations to interfere and stop “the violations against their sons.” The families also expressed their concerns after they were prevented from visiting their sons.

The interior ministry, however, denied all accusations, stating: “The prison administration deals with detainees based on the systems and regulations applied in the country,” the ministry wrote on its Twitter page.

The central prison of Jo is the place where political and security prisoners are held. According to Al-Wefaq Society, approximately 1,500 prisoners were “mistreated.”

Security forces announced on Wednesday “recapturing” two prisoners. They escaped Jo Prison two days earlier. The government revealed their identities as “terrorist” Rada al-Gusra and “wanted activist” Hussein al-Banaa.

Bahrain has been rocked by revolt since 2011. Authorities blame Al- Wefaq Shiite opposition group, which calls for the establishment of a “constitutional regime” in Bahrain, for the unrest.

Al-Wefaq claims that it wants a “real and elected” government for the country. It argues that the absolute power of the king renders the current constitutional monarchy “fake.”