A HUNGER strike launched by inmates at Bahrain’s central prison five days ago is still ongoing, according to human rights activists.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has received information from inside Jaw Prison that the inmates are still vigilant about the strike, despite efforts by police to stop them.

They are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise time and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

However, the Interior Ministry earlier branded the items as illegal, saying they were impossible to attain.

“We have received credible inside information that the inmates are still on strike,” said society president Mohammed Al Maskati.

“It has been five days and nothing has been done about their situation.”

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FOUR unemployed Bahrainis have pledged to sleep rough for days in protest if authorities don’t meet their demands.

The university graduates are demanding jobs in governmental organisations, saying they are fully qualified to take up any position offered.

The men, who began their vigil at 7am and slept rough outside the Civil Service Bureau (CSB), Juffair, last night, have also vowed to continue protesting until their voices are heard.

Degree

Hassan Abdulkareem, 23, Hammed Ali Ebrahim, 28, and Hani Abdulla, 26 – who have all graduated with bachelor’s degree in physical education – told the GDN yesterday that CSB officials dismissed their complaints.

A fourth Bahraini, known only as Ali who had graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting, was not present when the GDN visited the men’s camp site yesterday but is understood he participated in the day-long protest and would sleep rough with the rest of the men.

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RIGHTS activists were outraged yesterday after a Bahraini MP allegedly urged the government to use live ammunition against rioters.

MP Jassim Al Saeedi made the comments to an Arabic newspaper, which quoted him demanding the death penalty for violent protesters.

However, both the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) and Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) said they were appalled by the suggestion.

“All I have to say is that thank God he is not in a position where he can order the country’s police to use such force against citizens,” said BHRS secretary general Dr Abdulla Al Derazi.

“It’s strange that an MP, who has an important role in creating Bahrain’s legislature, is for the use of violence.

“He should defend the dignity, integrity and humanity of people instead of calling for such an act.

“Human rights activists in Bahrain are calling for the reduction in using force against demonstrators and he is proudly demanding law enforcers to use live ammunition to stop demonstrators.

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RIGHTS groups yesterday demanded access to inmates who launched a hunger strike at Bahrain’s central prison on Sunday.

The inmates at Jaw Prison are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise periods and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

One rights group said prison visits had been cancelled as a result of the protest and accused guards of using heavy-handed tactics to bring inmates under control on Monday.

However, the Interior Ministry yesterday branded inmates’ demands as “illegal” and said police had no choice but to use force to prevent a riot.

“Some of the inmates went on a hunger strike and refused to listen to direct orders,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Police tried to use peaceful and modern methods to control the situation before it escalated and to restore order, but there was no positive response from the inmates.

“They refused to listen to reason and they started breaking chairs and tables in the dining area to use as sharp objects in order to fight the policemen.

“Their demands are illegal because they consisted of keeping the cell doors open until midnight, extending exercise hours until late at night and allowing them to possess dangerous tools such as shaving razors.”

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