Within the framework of constant communication between the Special Investigation Unit and all national mechanisms concerned with the protection of human rights, and in light of the Communication and Information Division’s follow-up to all social media sites to monitor the facts or allegations of torture or ill-treatment being circulated; Yesterday morning, the Special Investigation Unit received from the Ombudsman, and the Communication and Information Division monitored a complaint that two non-adult inmates were subjected to physical abuse, claiming that they violated the instructions and caused chaos, during their sentences at the Correction and Rehabilitation Center.

In light of the Unit’s commitment to the international principles of effective investigation and documentation of torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment stipulated in the Istanbul Protocol, and in light of the implementation of the Restorative Justice for Children and Protection from Abuse Law; and the ensuing special procedures during the investigation of the child victims, a member of the unit moved to the Correction and Rehabilitation Center, accompanied by a social expert, and listened to the statements of the two victims’ inmates in the presence of the social expert, and the forensic doctor of the unit was delegated to sign a medical examination on them and document the unit ordered that the two victims be presented to its psychiatrist to study their psychological condition and indicate the extent of their need for psychological treatment, while it ordered the inclusion of all the victims’ medical reports from the Health and Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Interior, and the security camera recordings at the Correction and Rehabilitation Center related to the incident, Assigning the Unit’s Judicial Police Division to investigate and investigate the incident and reveal its circumstances in order to reach its truth.

On the other hand, the Victims and Witnesses Affairs Division of the Special Investigation Unit immediately contacted the families of the inmates who were the subject of the complaint and informed them of all the legal measures that had been taken and the progress of the investigation, and informed them of their right of protection and access to health, social and legal assistance; This is pursuant to the Unit’s judicial instructions regarding handling complaints and the obligations to investigate them, which are in accordance with the United Nations Guidelines on Providing Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime. The unit also notified the Family and Child Prosecution to provide appropriate support and care for the inmates through the Office of Execution and Aftercare attached to it, and in coordination with the concerned authorities.

The Special Investigation Unit, as the only judicial authority competent to investigate and act in all allegations of torture and ill-treatment throughout the Kingdom, affirms its keenness on the principles of transparency with society in all the procedures it takes, and that it will announce what the investigations will lead to later. As it deems appropriate for the smooth conduct of the investigations and to ensure their integrity. It calls on everyone who has any information related to the unit’s competencies to take legal means and submit it to the unit by any means of communication with it, in order to preserve rights and reach the truth.