Dr Bassim Dhaif
Dr Bassim Dhaif, FRCSI, FRCS (orth), aged 47, is a consultant orthopedic surgeon at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) in Bahrain.
Dr Dhaif is also:
- associate professor at the College of Medicine at the Arabian Gulf University;
- past chairman of the Department of Orthopedics;
- past president of the Bahrain Orthopedics Association;
- past president of the Bahrain Sports Medicine Association.
Dr Bassim has performed thousands of operations during his career, including operating on many players from various national sports teams, including football players, basketball players, volleyball players and more.
Dr Bassim Dhaif with his Brother Dr Ghassan Dhaif
Dr Bassim Dhaif is married with the four children. His brother is Dr Ghassan Dhaif who was also arrested.
Dr Dhaif was arrested on 19th March, and later sentenced to 15 years in prison as a result of the following charges:
- Occupying a governmental hospital by the use of force.
- Attempting to overthrow the ruling Royal Family.
- Performing fake or sham surgeries and broadcasting false information to international media so as to attempt to overthrow the government.
- Hiding information about the use weapons by some of the doctors.
“I was arrested on 19th March 2011, 2 days after the main crisis in Bahrain. My arrest was at home and in front of my whole family. It was violent and aggressive. I was beaten by several people, approximately 12. They entered all the rooms in my house and destroyed some items. They asked me to open the safe box. They stole cash money worth $20,000 US dollars that was never returned. They took all ownership documents of five properties that I own. In addition, they have took two of my cars. These were returned after 3 months.
I was back handcuffed, then pulled down the stairs and taken to unknown place. There I was subjected to violent physical torture of various kinds. I was kept in a solitary confinement for seven days. I was kept standing for the whole day for nearly 12 days. As a result, I developed massive swelling of both legs and feet that has resulted now in loss of sensation of both feet and permanent congestion and swelling.
I was subjected to verbal abuses of all kinds. I was deprived of sleep for nearly 26 days. I had aggressive verbal attacks on my religious beliefs. This seems to be a standard practice against all doctors who are from the Shiate sector.
The physical torture continued for 26 days. During that period I was subjected to lengthy interrogation that lasted 8 hours. This was violent and aggressive. No specific charges were read to me.
At the end I was forced to sign 20 pages without reading them. During those 26 days, I was blind folded continuously and back handcuffed. I came to know subsequently that I was in the CID, Criminal Investigation Directorate.
On the 23rd day, I was taken to a detention center and the torture continued even more violently. This continued for 3 days, following which, the blind folding and hand cuffing were stopped. In those 3 days, I have experienced the most terrifying moments of my life. This was the torture and the witnessing of the death of two jailed people.
The circumstances in the detention were very difficult and painful. This lasted nearly four months before things started to ease down. During that period, I was taken again to the CID with many doctors. We were forced to say confessions and stories that had never occurred in real life. For me, I was forced and threatened to say that I have performed fake surgeries to patients that have no injuries and reported that to international media so as I distort the image of Bahrain.
I was forced to confess that one of my colleague had weapons. I was forced to say that one of the surgeon opened the chest of a patient, not to take off a bullet, but to make his injury worse. This was a painful experience to all of us, however, the amount of torture and threat I was subjected to, forced me to say anything just to save my life.
It’s important to mention that I was sexually harassed during those 26 days. In the detention centre and while I was taken to a medical clinic blind folded and hand cuffed, I was punched on my face and kicked on my legs many time.
Going to the medical clinic was a terrifying experience the first two months in the detention centre. We were not allowed to see the doctor since we were blind folded. After three months the visit to the clinic was not with the blind fold. To my surprise, the doctor was one of my medical students back in 2005.
On 6/6/2011 and at 4.00am, I was taken to an unknown place. I discovered at 9.00am and for the first time that I am in a military court. Between 4-9 am, and on the way to that place I was also back handcuffed, blind folded and subjected to physical attacks and verbal abuses by the security personnel.
In the court and to my surprise, I saw my family for the first time. All throughout my arrest and detention I was denied any access to my lawyer and my family for more than 3 months. Even during the court sessions, I was allowed only 10 minutes to see my lawyer. I had only one formal meeting with my lawyer and that was in detention and it was at end of July 2011, more than four months after my arrest.
Only in mid June 2011 I came to know about my charges. this included:
- Occupying a governmental hospital by the use of force.
- Attempting to overthrow the ruling royal family.
- Performing fake or sham surgeries and broadcasting false information to international media so as to attempt to overthrow the government.
- Hiding information about the use weapons by some of the doctors.
- Many other charges.
I absolutely denied all these charges. All my confessions actually were never said by myself and not only that I was forced to sign papers that apparently contained those confessions. This was obtained under torture and threat and without the presence of my lawyer. I was forced to record these in front of the TV, which till date have not broadcasted. The usual trend in this country is to publish or broadcast them on a national TV without a permit.
We brought more than 40 witnesses in the trial. Many of them are senior consultant doctors, paramedics, nurses and others. All of those witnesses had testified that the hospital was never under occupation at any moment of the crisis in Bahrain from the period 17th Feb – 16th March.
We showed an official interview with H.E. the Minister of Health at Bahrain TV on 9th March 2011 stating clearly and strongly that the hospital services are running quite normal and patients are accessing the hospital without any difficulties.
We showed an official statement by the assistant under secretary for hospital services at the Ministery of Health, Dr. Amin Al-Saati saying that all the services at the hospital is carried out normally, except for scattered 5 days where there are injured protestor brought to accident and emergency.
I myself a practicing surgeon at the hospital used to run my clinic and do my surgery till the 13th March 2011. Yes on a few occasions when there is a flood of injured protestors, the hospital administration themselves will stop elective admissions to hospital. This occurred only occasionally. Obviously, the number of cases attending the hospital had dropped and the reasons for that is the country in crisis and there are days that more than 300,000 protestors gathered in Pearl Square.
I had never interfered with the work at the hospital. I was doing my clinic and my surgeries both at Salmaniya and in private hospital.
I worked at Salmaniya hospital since 1987. I am a senior consultant. I am involved in teaching medical students and training doctors since 1997.
I treated all sectors of Bahrain equally all over the years, Sunni and Shiate. I don’t need to prove that as the whole country know who is Dr. Bassim Dhaif.
I had performed thousands of operations during my career. I operated on many players from various national teams, football, basketball, volleyballs and many others.
I was involved in the treatment of many injured protestors that sustained serious injuries as a result of the use of bullets and live ammunition.
I reported that to the BBC on the 18th February 2011. Obviously such comments disturbed the government. On the 17th February 2011, the ambulance was not allowed to bring injured protestors from Pearl Square between 6-11.30am. The order of this act came from the security forces. We submitted the voice recording of such order to the ambulance services to the court but were never considered. In fact from the day of 17th February till 16th March, several doctors, nurses and paramedics were attacked by the security and military personnel. Some of those sustained serious injuries including head injuries, fractures and others. All this is documented by videos.
As a result of this, the health professionals were furious that this act is not acceptable and risk the provision of best medical care. The health professional have protested against that. I myself have protested against that twice.
As regards to the aggregation of hundreds of protestors in front of the car park of accident and emergency, I have absolutely nothing to do with such act. I was never involved in such act. On the contrary, I objected such act. I personally spoke with the chief of medical staff about this issue. Not only this, in a meeting with H.E. the Minister of Health, I opposed that such aggregation should take place in front of the car park.
Never in that time of the crisis did a protest actually take place in the vicinity of the hospital.
Regarding our trials, first it’s a military court and I am obviously a civilian. I was denied any of my basic and simple rights such as lawyer and access to my family, access to evidences —etc.
The torture that I sustained was documented by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. This committee itself was established by His Majesty the King of Bahrain. The interrogation, confessions were all under threat and torture and in absence of my lawyer.
Therefore, this trial is illegal and has no basis. I demand dropping all charges. If such a retrial should take place, I urge the international community to monitor and follow these trials.
I urge the King of Bahrain to intervene and stop such trial that have distorted the image of Bahrain and have clearly shown to the entire world the amount of human rights violations.”
Dr Bassim Dhaif with his Family
On 14th June, thanks to international pressure that came about from your support to this campaign, Dr Dhaif had his sentenced reduced at appeal to one month. Since he has already spent this amount of time in prison he is not expected to return to jail. However, this is still unacceptable for a doctor who did nothing wrong and who had his human rights seriously violated. He should have been acquitted of all charges, reinstated to his work, and fairly compensated for his ordeal. Other colleagues are still facing a return to jail, including his brother Dr Ghassan Dhaif.
You may wish to post a message of support here for Dr Bassim Dhaif using the form below. Note that all messages will be moderated and any that are abusive or damaging will not be published, as this family has suffered enough already.
You may also read Dr Fatima Haji’s testimony here.
14 comments
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Nabeel Tammam
October 13, 2011 at 5:47 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Dear Basim and Maha,
You both are so strong to face all that suffering.
I adore your strength, patience and faith.
My solidarity with you all.
Nabeel
Um Kawther
October 13, 2011 at 6:33 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
So proud of you my brother. We all support you. We are sure that you did your best as a professional surgeon and a good citizen. You will definitely be rewarded by God for what you had done to treat people. You are my HERO. May God protect. Love you.
Bahrainia
October 13, 2011 at 7:01 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
وَلاَ تَهِنُوا وَلاَ تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Um Lina
October 13, 2011 at 7:39 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I met you and several of your colleagues during the unrest. I salute you for your honesty and your tireless effort to reveal the truth. You have courage and endured so much suffering senslessly. My absolute respect to you, your courageous families and colleagues.
God is with you. We are with you and never for a second think that you are forgotten.
Peace…
maryam
October 14, 2011 at 3:59 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
A hero is someone who gets up, even when he can’t. You are going through hell, so keep going.
zara
October 14, 2011 at 6:32 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I’m sure u r innocent ….. u were doing ur job as a doctor…… but i believe that one day the fact will be shown to all over the world… god protect u (( by the way u were my doctor))
Um Ali
October 14, 2011 at 7:30 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
We are all with you and with all other doctors. All the doctors they are heros
God know what realy happend and never never he will forget you and others
Mojtaba Al Tattan
October 14, 2011 at 4:54 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
The abuse and torture that Dr. Bassim Dhaif and the other Bahraini doctors suffered from is a big crime against humanity.
We will not forget the doctor’s courageous stand with the people of Bahrain in the revolution against injustice, oppression and terrorism.
Bahraini doctors, prisoners, and martyrs are the bright candles of Bahrain uprising.
Just make sure that the truth will prevail at the end. Victory is for those who revolted against the dictatorship.
May God protect the Bahraini doctors and the political detainees.
With Sincere Regards.
Mojtaba Al Tattan
14- – 10 – 2011
AliaaAttiya
October 15, 2011 at 5:51 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Dear Dr Bassim,
Didn’t you feel sometimes in jail and being tortured that that was it. The end of a good life, but then u breated freedom & saw how we were fighting for ur release. It is a promise from us, we will not stop fighting for the justcie to be served, and u and all the people of my country who went through the same experience are safe among us. Allah is with you so don’t worry.
Dr Noor
October 15, 2011 at 10:26 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Dr Bassim how many times didnt you ask me at he hospital Why this what is this? you are Swedish have you ever seen something like this? and of course not i replyed this is what we se on TV and think OK this is middleeast..Im so sorry what happen to all of you and we all try the best to have you all free..
Dr Noor
Abeer
October 15, 2011 at 4:46 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Bassim & Maha,
You both have always been helpful.
Treating the injured who are unknown to you in your work place is not an exception.
God bless you & all the others.
This experience will soon be history that you & your family will be proud of.
Abdulla
November 10, 2011 at 3:43 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
مهما قلناومهما فعلنا لن نستطيع ان نوفي لكم فلقد اثبتم بالفعل قبل القول انكم انتم الوطنيين ولن يكون الجزاء الذي تستحقون الا الذي يكون من عند الله فانا عن نفسي سوف اقول لابنائي بان هناك اخوان باسم وغسان ضيف قد سكنوا الاف القلوب بما قدموه لهذا الشعب المظلوم فتحية لكم كل صباح ومساء ومن الان لاتتعجبوا اذا رأيتم الناس تبتسم في وجوهكم انتم لا تعرفونهم لكنهم يحفظونكم ويعرفونكم
الستراوي الذي احبكم
nurse ameena
December 4, 2011 at 1:37 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
كبير يا ايها الطبيب ،، لقد كسرتم السلطة بقوتكم و صبركم على البلاء و نشرتم فضيحتهم في كل لعالم فهم لا يوجد اكثر منهم في انتهاك حقوق الانسان فليس هنالك احد يجعل ملائكة الرحمة قابعين في السجون تحت الظلم و التعذيب لا احد يسجن بسبب انقاذه لأرواح الناس فشكرااااا لكم
Haitham
December 7, 2011 at 5:05 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Dear Bassim and Maha,
Stay strong
Keep your faith and your smile.
Haitham
Dr Bassim Dhaif | DoctorsInChains.org | The War on Humanity | Scoop.it
October 14, 2011 at 12:01 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] Dr Bassim Dhaif | DoctorsInChains.org RT @Freedom4BahDrs: RT @doctorsinchains: Dr Bassim Dhaif's testimony of his torture in #Bahrain http://t.co/xjYUtvrm #FreeDoctors… Source: http://www.doctorsinchains.org [...]
From DoctorsinChains.org
November 8, 2011 at 7:30 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] Dr Bassim Dhaif [...]
Remind Me to Never Become a Doctor in Bahrain « charlottespr2012
February 26, 2012 at 8:54 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] could only watch. Although he was never shown an arrest warrant, among his charges was “attempting to overthrow the ruling Royal Family“. While in custody, Dr. Dhaif was placed in solidarity confinement for 8 days; every half [...]
Dr. Bassim Dhaif (Post #4) « Revolutions and Modernity
February 26, 2012 at 9:21 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] He is also an associate professor at the College of Medicine at Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain. In addition to this, Dr. Dhaif has served as the president of the Bahrain Orthopedics Association and the [...]
Uncertain Fate « Know a little more..
February 27, 2012 at 8:28 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] (To read the full testimony, click here) [...]
Dr. Bassim Dhaif « Erinn's Blog
February 27, 2012 at 6:19 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] was the first time he was allowed to see his family and his lawyer since his arrest. According to a written testimony, Dhaif was charged with many different charges and he denied all of them because they were all made [...]
Dr. Bassim Dhaif: Arrested For His Medical Aid to Protestors | Bonnet Rouge
February 27, 2012 at 7:01 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] The four main charges against Bassim Dhaif are (doctorsinchains.org): [...]
Dr. Bassim Dhaif « M Cubed's New Groove
February 27, 2012 at 10:35 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] Since his detainment, he wrote a testimony and it was luckily received by an organization called Doctors in Chains, a group of medical professionals from across different countries who’s main purpose is [...]
Rioters Block
February 27, 2012 at 11:19 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] Dhaif has the following charges against [...]
Bahrain arrests five medics after losing appeal bid | EBOHR
October 3, 2012 at 3:57 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] asked them about reason for detention and they replied, ‘You will know when you die,’ ” he wrote. “I was screaming from pain and I kept shouting ‘I will die,’ but they showed no [...]
Bahrain arrests five medics after losing appeal bid | Caribbean Medical News
October 4, 2012 at 4:31 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] asked them about reason for detention and they replied, ‘You will know when you die,’ ” he wrote. “I was screaming from pain and I kept shouting ‘I will die,’ but they showed no [...]