Bahrain police have ordered 60 CCTV cameras as part of a nationwide scheme to improve human rights for detainees besides key steps like redesigning of the interrogation rooms.

These cameras will be installed in interrogation rooms in police stations in all five governorates by August to prevent alleged cases of mistreatment in custody.

The Interior Ministry has outlined detailed plans to carry out the project, including a redesign of the interrogation rooms.

Work is underway at Hoora Police Station and officials hope to complete five rooms every six weeks, stated the National Commission report, which was tasked to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).

"Sixty cameras have been ordered from Germany, 20 of which have now been delivered," said the report.

"Audio-visual equipment will be fitted in 33 interrogation rooms within two months."

The scheme also covers the Public Prosecution, where the high-tech equipment is being installed in 60 interrogation rooms.

Prosecutors hope to complete the job within two months, said Attorney-General Dr Ali Fadhel Al Buainain in a letter addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.

"The Public Prosecution agreed with Spectra Information Technology to provide 60 interrogation rooms in the headquarters of the Public Prosecution with the necessary technical equipment for audio and visual recording," said Dr Al Buainain in the letter, which was published in the 531-page report.

The report includes photographs of the proposed layout of the rooms, which features the monitoring room, foam black leather padded panel, black porcelain tiles and a one-way mirror panel for viewing.

A light indicator will also be installed on the outside of the doors to inform people the rooms are occupied. The report also documents details of the new Code of Conduct for police force as part of the reforms process.

The code includes duties of police officers, use of force, policing principles and rights of policemen, among other principles. It has a zero tolerance policy on torture and any other type of mistreatment, including safeguarding health of detainees.

"Force shall not be used except when absolutely necessary or where it is used in self-defence in accordance with the law," states the code.

"The use of firearms is considered an extreme measure. Every effort should be made to exclude the use of firearms."

A similar Code of Conduct is also being adopted by the Bahrain Defence Force, revealed the report.

The commission has created a procedural form that has to be filled in by the responsible officer when receiving detainees or temporary prisoners.

The form details information about the suspect, rights and guarantees, health situation and if the detained person is an expatriate then the respective embassy or consulate should be informed immediately.

Shura Council and commission chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh submitted the draft report to His Majesty King Hamad on Tuesday at a ceremony held at Sakhir Palace. Bahrain has announced it would soon announce an Implementation Minister tasked to follow up on the steps taken by the commission in its report.-TradeArabia News Service