Photo: Jaw prison (the central prison)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its grave concern for the Jaw prison administration – the central prison – preventing to urgently take the prominent activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja to hospital due to his health deterioration as a result of his hunger strike since Sunday 17 March 2013.

Photo: Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s wife received a telephone call today – 21 March 2013 – from Abdulhadi’s brother – Salah Al-Khawaja who also happens to be imprisoned and is spending a 5 year sentence in jail; he informed her that Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s health deteriorated, yet the prison administration refuse to transfer him because he refuses to wear the prison uniform.

Al-Khawaja began his hunger strike when the prison administration refused to allow him to meet his daughter Zainab Al-Khawaja – who is spending a 3 month sentence in the women’s prison. Zainab had also started a hunger strike since Sunday 17 March 2013 because the prison administration has been refusing to allow her to meet her family for more than two weeks, as Zainab refuses to wear the prison uniform.

Photo: Ms. Zainab Al-Khawaja

Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and his daughter Zainab emphasize that the “prison uniform” is for those convicted in criminal cases, and not for prisoners of conscience, and not wearing the uniform is considered as a form of protest for keeping them in prison.

Jaw prison administration refused to allow the prisoners of the “Bahrain 13” case – a group of prominent opposition activists – to go to hospital because they all refused to wear the prison uniform.

Photo: Major General Ibrahim al-Ghaith ( Inspector General) – Jaw prison administration

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the Bahraini Authorities to immediately take Al-Khawaja to hospital to receive the necessary treatment and to allow him to visit his daughter Zainab, and allow Zainab’s family to visit her in the women’s prison.

The Public Prosecution accused Mr. Nabeel Rajab “involvement in inciting illegal rallies and marches online on social networking websites” and “Police investigation has also revealed that the defendant’s cyber incitement proved detrimental as they fuelled rioting, road blocking, arsons, acts of sabotage targeting public and private properties, in addition to the use of Molotov cocktail incendiary bombs.The inquiry has also revealed compelling evidence on the defendant’s role in instigating, online, acts targeting policemen whilst on duty, leaving some of them injured” Senior Attorney said.

The Lower Criminal ordered Mr.Nabeel Rajab to be held in custody for seven days pending investigation, accusing him of defaming an official authority.

Mr.Rajab, director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, and president of the Bahrain Center for Human rights, was arrested upon arrival at the Bahrain airport ( 5 May, 2012). Mr.Rajab was returning from Lebanon where he met the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, according to activist Mr. Mohammad Al Maskati “President of the BYSHR”, who travelled with him.

In other cases of attacks on human rights defenders, independent activist Ms.Zainab Al-Khawaja remains detained with five cases in court. Al-Khawaja is due to have three hearings on the 6th of May, one hearing on the 9th and another on the 15th of May. The charges leveled against Al-Khawaja are ” More info” :

1-Illegal gathering.
2-Obstructing traffic.
3-Two charges of assaulting an officer.
4-Swearing at an officer.

Ms. Zaynab Alkhawaja – a 27 years old Cyber Activist, better known as Angryarabiya on twitter.

Mr.Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former president of the BCHR, main founder of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, and former regional director for the MENA region at Frontline Defenders, was arrested on the 9th of April 2011. He was beaten unconscious in front of his family, then subjected to severe torture during his detention as documented in case nr. 8 of the BICI report. Al-Khawaja was sentenced to life imprisonment in a military court, in a case that was fabricated and on trumped up charges. His appeal in a military court was rejected in September 2011. On the 30th of April 2012 the Court of Cassation issued a decision to subject the case to another appeal in a civilian court. Al-Khawaja is today on his 87th day of a hunger strike, after he was reportedly held in solitary confinement, drugged and force fed in a very painful process he told his wife when she was allowed to see him last Sunday, 29th February 2012. “More info“

Declaration of Tokyo (1975)”Where a prisoner refuses nourishment …he shall not be fed artificially”

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) learned today via family members, that Human Rights Defender Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja was drugged, tied to the hospital bed and forcibly fed through a nasoenteric tube this week.

After a brief visit to the activist, family members informed the BYSHR that according to the activist, last Monday after his final call to his wife, he was approached by a nurse who claimed that she wanted to “flush” his IV tube. She inserted a liquid into his IV tube that made him loose consciousness for over 5 hours. When the activist woke up, his room had been changed, his hands and legs were tied to the hospital bed , a tube was stuffed down his nose and he was wearing an oxygen mask. The tube was only removed on Friday when it was blocked resulting in the liquid spilling on Mr. Alkhawaja a number of times.

Mr. Alkhawaja repetitively told the Doctor in charge that he refused the force-feeding and considered it as torture and the doctor refused to end the abuse. The doctor informed Mr. Alkhawaja that if they had not used the force-feeding, the activist would be brain dead. Mr. Alkhawaja advised the doctor that even if they wished to justify the force-feeding, nothing could explain keeping him tied and incommunicado with no contact whatsoever with his family or lawyer. The combination of the force-feeding and the incommunicado detention was considered torture, and Alkhawaja informed the doctor that he will hold him, the hospital as well as the Ministry of Interior responsible.

Mr. Alkhawaja has informed his family that he has agreed to voluntarily take liquids and IV fluids when necessary until his cassation court tomorrow Monday the 30th of April, 2012, but is adamant that he is to continue on his hungerstrike until freedom or death.

The BYSHR considers force-feeding a type of torture in accordance to international human rights norm and is very disturbed that Mr. Alkhawaja was drugged and tied in order to force feed him. It also finds it disturbing that Mr. Alkhawaja’s family were kept in the dark regarding his fate for over 5 days. There was no reason to severe contact with Mr.Alkhawaja’s family or lawyer.

The BYSHR is also very concerned that the Bahraini authorities would find it appropriate to tell the international community that he was in good health while they were force-feeding him and his life was in danger according to their own physicians.

The BYSHR considers Mr. Alkhawaja a prisoner of conscience, a torture victim (BICI report case number 8 ) and a prominent human rights defender who is in jail solely for exercising his right to free speech and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

The BYSHR also calls on the Bahrain authorities to be transparent when it comes to Mr. Alkhawaja’s health condition and to refrain from making inaccurate and incorrect statements that are meant to misguide international observers and NGO’s.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the disappearance of a prominent activist Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who on hunger strike since February 9, 2012.

Khawaja’s family confirmed to the BYSHR “last telephone conversation with him was Monday (April 23) and he was not able to talk because of tiredness and fatigue”

Khawaja’s family since Monday (23 April) until now have not received information on his health condition.

Khawaja’s family confirmed to the BYSHR ” Since yesterday (24 April) Ministry of Interior and the Military hospital both refusing to give his wife any information”

Khawaja’s wife called to the military hospital today (25 April) The nurse told her, “There is no one in the room.”

Khawaja’s lawyer asked to visit Mr.Khawaja, but the Interior Ministry refused to allow him.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) calling for the Bahraini authorities to disclose the fate of Mr.Khawaja and the authorities must inform the family about his whereabouts immediately.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern on the health of a prominent human rights activist Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, which was transferred to the hospital, “the Ministry of the Interior” after the deterioration of his health.

Ms. Zaynab Alkhawaja – a 27 years old Cyber Activist, better known as Angryarabiya on twitter.She was arrested yesterday (April 5, 2012) after Sit in front of the Interior Ministry to demand the release of her father, Mr.Al-Khawaja.

Ms. AlKhawaja, inspired the recent mass hunger strike in Bahrain after going on hunger strike in support of her detained father and prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja (former MENA Coordinator with Frontline Defenders, former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and The founder of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights). Ms. Alkhawaja continued her strike for a period of 8 days until she was pressured to end the strike by international human rights organization.Ms.Al-Khawaja was previously arrested for participating in a public protest on 15 December 2011.She reported being beaten during her December arrest.

Mr.Naji Fateel : is a board member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and blogger who has been active in reporting human rights violations in Bahrain.He used his account on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/najialifateel) for dissemination of human rights information. He was previously detained between Dec 2007 and April 2009, and has been reportedly tortured. His house was stormed in search for him several times last year following the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. He was suffering from damage to his spine and was supposed to travel abroad to get medical treatment.

On February 14, 2012, the security forces in Bahrain arrested Mr.Naji Fateel, as he was participating in a march towards the Pearl Roundabout in Manama city, exercising their right to peaceful assembly to this symbolic Roundabout, which was the centre of last year protests.

On April 4, 2012, Public prosecutor issued a decision for the release of Mr.Naji Fateel on bail, but Mr.Fateel refused to get out of jail in solidarity with Al-Khawaja and demanded his release.

Mr.Ahmed Abbas: An active member in BYSHR.On January 1, 2012, Bahraini authorities arrested Mr.Abbas and he has been subjected to ill-treatment.

Mr. Ahmed is currently suffering from the disease.

Ms.Zainab, Mr.Ahmed and Mr.Naji, announced a hunger strike in solidarity with Al-Khawaja and demanding his release immediately.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has learnt that Human Rights Defender Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja (51 years) is determined to continue in his hungerstrike until he secures his release. Family members have informed the BYSHR that although Mr. Alkhawaja was in high spirits, he looked thin and weak and had obvious problems concentrating.

Mr.Alkhawaja also confirmed that he had collapsed last Wednesday and was transferred to the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital after a sharp drop in his sugar and blood pressure. He was first transferred to the Jaw Prison clinic but when medics saw his condition they quickly called for an ambulance. He was semi unconscious when he was transported via an ambulance to the hospital where he suffered from muscle spasms. He received treatment but refused to end his hungerstrike.

It is important to note that this is the second hungerstrike the activists engages in with only 2 days in between, the first which was with the other 13 detained activists in protest to the ongoing human rights violations and which lasted for 1 week. The activist is currently in his 10th day of his second hungerstrike. This has contributed to the deterioration in is health condition.

Mr.Alkhawaja stated that he was on hungerstrike because as a human rights activist he needs to play a role in exposing human rights violations, whether he be on the inside or the outside of a prison cell. The hungerstrike aims to secure his release, but more importantly allow him the opportunity to do something inside prison to shed light on the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. He said that those who claim to defend human rights need to be prepared to make sacrifices, and that he was prepared for all possible consequences of this hungerstrike. He also wanted to highlight the plight of those prisoners of conscience still detained and shed light on their cause.

The BYSHR supports and respects Human Rights Defender Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s decision to continue his hungerstrike and calls on the international community to stand behind him in order to secure his release and support his plight in highlighting the human rights violations happening in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has learned from Human Rights Defender Mr.Abdulhadi alkhawaja’s family that his health has deteriorated today as he enters his seventh day of hungerstrike. Mr.Alkhawaja began the hungerstrike on Wednesday the 8th of February, and demanded “Freedom or death” as a condition for ending his hungerstrike. He has been taken to hospital more than once in the past days due to a drop in his blood sugar.

In a phone call to the family, Mr.Alkhawaja’s brother, Mr.Salah Alkhawaja (also sentenced in the same case as Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and serving 5 years) informed them about the health condition of Mr.Abdulhadi and his intention of starting a hungerstike tonight in solidarity.

Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja is the former MENA Coordinator for frontline Defenders, the Previous President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and the sitting President of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights. He is known as one of most prominent human rights defenders in the regions and a trainer of human right activists. Last April, Mr.Alkhawaja was arrested for his role in the pro-democracy protests and sentenced to life in prison. The activist was subjected to severe torture that was documented by the BICI (Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry).

The BYSHR calls on the international community and human rights organisation to pressure the Bahraini government for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr.Abdulhadi alkhawaja.

​The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has just learned that human rights defender and previous MENA Coordinator for Frontline Defenders, Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, was transferred to the hospital after a drop in his sugar level and blood pressure.

Mr. Alkhawaja, along with other detained activists and political leaders, are on their second day of hunger strike in protest to the deteriorating human rights situation in the country and the continued detention of Bahrain prisoners of conscience in complete disregard to calls for their release by the United Nations and international Human Rights Organizations.

The BYSHR has also learned that other prisoners of conscience have also joined the hunger strike at the Dry Dock Prison and the Central Prison (Jaw). There are reports that prison authorities have been pressuring prisoners to end their hunger strike, through threats, solitary confinement and suspension of privileges.

‎​In solidarity with the hunger strike of the prisoners of conscience, 5 BYSHR members are currently on a 3 day hunger strike. Activists and family members have also shown support by observing a 3 day hunger strike set to end on Thursday morning.

The BYSHR calls on the international community to show their solidarity with the Bahrain prisoners of conscience by calling for their immediate release.

The BYSHR also calls for urgent intervention in the case of human rights defender Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja.

Members of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) will be on hunger strike on Monday, January 30, 2012 in solidarity with prisoners of conscience in Bahrain.

Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati – President of the BYSHR – and members of the Board of Directors will participate in the hunger strike.

In solidarity with the Pro-democracy Protests and protesting against the brutal crackdown, 14 Prominent Human Rights activists and Opposition Leaders announced an open hunger-strike from their prison in Jaw Prison.

Prisoners of conscience announced their hunger strike on Sunday, January 29, 2012 Protesting against human rights violations and unfair trials.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the deteriorating health condition due to hunger strike of Prominent Rights Activists and Opposition Leaders protesting the recent arrest and mistreatment of women during pro-democracy protest.

In a phone call to his daughter (Yesterday-October 1st 2011) , Human Rights Defender Mr.Abdulhadi AlKhawaja informed her that :

1-The health condition of Mr.Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace and Mr.Abdulwahab Hussain Ali has deteriorated.

2-The present prison administration have stopped the medical checkups of the 14 activist and political leaders and refused them access to doctors. They were informed by the administration, that this was in punishment of their hunger strike.

14 Prominent Rights Activists and Opposition Leaders demanding the release of women who were arrested for pro-democracy protests.

Background:

On September 24th 2011, they announced a hunger strike. (Ref: http://byshr.org/?p=787)

Mr.Abdulwahab and Mr.Abduljalil are currently serving life sentence along with prominent Rights Activists and Opposition Leaders including Mr.Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, Mr.Mohammed Habib Miqdad ( Swedish citizen), Mr.Saeed Mirza Ahmed, Mr.Abdul Jalil Miqdad and Mr.Hassan Ali Mushaima.

Mr.Mohammed Hassan Jawad, Mr.Mohammed Ali Ismael and Mr.Abdulhadi AlMukhodher are currently serving 15 years imprisonment

Mr.Ibrahim Sharif, Mr.Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos and Mr.Salah Hubail Al Khawaja are currently serving 5 years imprisonment.

Mr.Al Hurra Yousif Mohammed is currently serving 2 years imprisonment.

More information about the hunger strikers ( Click Here)