Wefaq urges rights groups to take action on Bahrain prison

Bahrain’s main opposition party has called on human rights organizations to take immediate action on Bahraini political prisoners who are on hunger strike.

Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as the Red Cross to look into the situation in the Dry Dock prison, located on the island of Muharraq.

Around 500 prisoners are on hunger strike in the notorious prison in protest against the mistreatment of inmates.

The prisoners say they are subjected to torture during interrogation.

At least 3,000 detainees including women and children are being reportedly held in the Dry Dock prison.

Bahrain’s human rights record has come under scrutiny over its handling of anti-regime protests that erupted across the country in early 2011.

Bahraini people initially called for political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Scores of people have been killed during the regime crackdown on protests.