Bahraini Protesters Demand Immediate End to Torture of Prisoners

During the massive anti-regime demonstrations held on Sunday on occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the protesters called on international bodies to help end the Manama regime's torture of political prisoners.

The protests were peacefully held in different regions of the Arab country, including Bilad al-Qadim, the hometown of opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, Sanabis in the suburbs of the capital city of Manama, and the northeastern island of Sitra.

Bahrain's main opposition group al-Wefaq has raised the alarm over the plight of more than 1300 inmates being held in the Persian Gulf country's notorious Jaw prison.

The opposition group has reported that the prisoners are beaten by guards and are banned from family visits and even phone-calls. Al-Wefaq has called on the International Red Cross to take action to protect the Bahraini inmates.

The Western-allied kingdom, which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.