The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) calls on international human rights organizations to urgently intervene to secure the release of human rights defender Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja (Previous President and acting director of the BCHR) who is to enter his 21st day of hungerstrike tomorrow. Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja had began the hungerstrike demanding “Freedom or Death” on the 8th of February which followed a 1 week hungerstrike just 2 days before which aimed at highlighting the continued human rights violations taking place in Bahrain.

According to Mr.Alkhawaja’s wife, the activist can no longer tolerate sitting for longer than 10-15 minutes in the sun due to fatigue and spends most of his day lying down. Mr.Alkhawaja’s wife also states that the activist needs a hot water bottle to keep his body warm.

The activists lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Aljishi had previously stated that the hospital clinic can no longer administer IV fluids as the activists veins are too weak.

Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s daughter, Human Rights Defender Ms.Maryam Alkhawaja, Head of Foreign Relations of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights(BCHR)as well as the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) , had previously stated that Mr.Alkhawaja was exhibiting symptoms of a person on his 60th day of hungerstrike as his Kidney had already started to get affected. He also shows signs of increasing fatigue and lack of concentration in addition to having difficulty in moving.

The activist, even in accordance to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) that was commissioned by the King , was subject to severe torture. Numerous international human rights organizations have called for Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s release such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First as well as Frontline Defenders and questioned the trial procedures through which he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The BYSHR once again calls for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defender Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and places full responsibility for his well being on the Bahraini authorities.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) will organize a competition in order to expose human rights violations using the video camera.

Three video cameras as prizes: You must shoot – Video – human rights violation is happening in your area or village and you send it to vid.prize@gmail.com .

“We want to expose human rights violations using the video camera in order to punish offenders and provide protection to the victims” Mohammed AL-Maskati, president of the BYSHR, said.

“Human rights violations should not be hidden or in the dark,” AL-Maskati said.

“This contest in honor Mr.Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who trained many of the activists on the documentation and monitoring to protect human rights” Yousif Abdulrasool, Coordinator of the contest, said.

“The BYSHR demanding the Bahraini authorities to immediately release of Mr.Al-Khawaja and Mr.Naji Fateel board member of the BYSHR,” Abdulrasool said.

Additional information about Mr.Fateel and Mr.Al-Khawaja: http://byshr.org/?p=964

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). 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.

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.

Mr.Hasan Al-Jaber: is a prominent human rights blogger who is regarded as a reliable source for Bahrain news. He used his account on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/HasanAljaber) for dissemination of human rights information. He used to report from protests, posting first-hand testimonies of human rights violations to the media and also contributed to support non-violence strategies in cooperation with the BYSHR.

ACT NOW:

1-Use the picture (on top) in Twitter and Facebook.

2-Use the Hashtaq (Twitter) : #FREEHRDBAH

3-Sit in front of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in your country (Search for Embassies:http://www.mofa.gov.bh/)

4-PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 30 MARCH 2012 TO:

His Majesty the King

Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa

Office of His Majesty the King P.O. Box 555 Rifa’a Palace, Manama, Bahrain

Fax: +973 176 64 587

Salutation: Your Majesty

Minister of Interior

Shaikh Rashid bin ‘Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa

Ministry of Interior

P.O. Box 13, Manama,

Bahrain

Fax: +973 172 32 661

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Human Rights and Social Development

Dr Fatima bint Mohammed Al Balooshi

Ministry of Human Rights and Social Development

P.O. Box 32868, Manama, Bahrain

Email: pr@social.gov.bh

Salutation: Your Excellency

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) expresses its deep concern for the arrest of prominent human rights defenders because of their participation in peaceful protests on the occasion of the first anniversary of the protests.

They were 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.

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.

Mr.Hasan Al-Jaber: is a prominent human rights blogger who is regarded as a reliable source for Bahrain news. He used his account on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/HasanAljaber) for dissemination of human rights information. He used to report from protests, posting first-hand testimonies of human rights violations to the media and also contributed to support non-violence strategies in cooperation with the BYSHR.

Ms.Zainab Al-Khawaja: is a prominent human rights defender and blogger.She used his account on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/angryarabiya) for dissemination of human rights information.Ms.Al-Khawaja was previously arrested for participating in a public protest on 15 December 2011.She reported being beaten during her December arrest.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the immediate release of human rights activists and Bahrain is considered the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders, journalists and bloggers.

The Bahraini authorities yesterday (February 14, 2012) violated the principles of human rights:

1-Arrested several protesters who took part in peaceful protests (According to information of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR): 76 protesters were arrested “including 10 women but later released” )

@AP

2-Many of the demonstrators were injured by the use of security forces to rubber bullets, shotgun, tear gas and stun grenades.The security forces threw the demonstrators from the second floor in the village of Sanabis ( and ran over the demonstrator in the village of Daih ( Mr. Issa Jaber Ahmed Hassan).

@Throwing demonstrators

3-The armored security forces stormed the villages to suppress the protests.

@AP

4-Arrested human rights activists : Mr. Naji Fateel ” Board Member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR)” , Mr.Nabeel Rajab “President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)” – Mr.Rajab Was released later- and Mr.Hassan Jaber ” Blogger ” .

@Naji Fateel with Margaret Sekaggya

5-Checkpoints and closing the main roads to deny access to the Pearl roundabout.

6-Six US Citizens were arrested by Bahraini security forces( international observers) and deported : 1-Kate Rafael works at a San Francisco law firm and is a radio journalist, blogger and political activist from Oakland, California. 2- Flo Razowsky is photographer and community organizer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a Jewish anti-Zionist activist with Witness Bahrain and several Palestine solidarity organizations. 3-Linda Sartor teaches graduate school, and is a community activists based out of Northern California. She has been a human rights activist in Palestine, Sri Lanka, Iran, Afghanistan and Bahrain. 4-Paki Wieland is a retired social worker/family therapist educator in the Department of Applied Psychology, Antioch University, Keene, New Hampshire. Since the 1960s, she’s also been a dedicated anti-war and civil rights activist. 5-Mike Lopercio is a restaurant owner from Arizona and has visited Iraq with a Military Families delegation. 6-Brian Terrell lives and works at Strangers and Guests Farm in Maloy, Iowa. He is a long time peace activist and a co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence.

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.

@Naji Fateel with Margaret Sekaggya

The Bahraini authorities today ( February 14, 2012) arrested two prominent human rights activists after their participation in a peaceful march to the Pearl Roundabout.

Mr. Naji Fateel – Board Member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) – and Mr.Nabeel Rajab – President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) – were arrested after participating in protests in support of democracy and human rights.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the immediate release of Mr. Fateel and Mr. Rajab, and provide protection to human rights activists in Bahrain.

The Bahraini authorities today (February 14) suppress the protesters near the Pearl roundabout and other areas.

The Bahraini authorities have the following:

1-Many of protesters arrested since the early morning.

2-The Security forces used tears gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to suppress the protesters.

3- Checkpoints and closing the main roads to deny access to the Pearl roundabout.

4-Storm the houses and villages near the Pearl roundabout

Note: Updates on the situation will be sent in the coming hours

Bahraini Authorities arrested two members of a human rights group called Witness Bahrain, which sent observers to monitor what is expected to be a series of protests ahead of February 14, the date of the one-year anniversary.

Security forces used force to break up an anti-government march in Manama Today (February 11, 2012) , using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of peaceful protesters.

A witness confirmed to the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) that the activists were arrested brutally.The two observers, Huwaida Arraf and Radhika Sainath, both US citizens.

An official for the General Directorate of Immigration confirmed that two activists have been deported for applying for tourist visas under false pretenses. (More: http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/493606)

According to information of the BYSHR that the workers and foreign tourists in the market were subjected to suffocation and panic because of the use of stun grenades and tear gas.

Japanese TV crew has informed the BYSHR that they been stopped for hours today (February 11, 2012) at Bahrain airport and to be deported back though they have a permit from Information Affairs Authority (IAA).

A witness confirmed to the BYSHR that an Australian reporter being deported today (February 11, 2012) at Bahrain airport.

The BYSHR expresses its deep concern as to the implications of these deportations and the governments insistence on the absence of international observers and press. This may serve as an indicator of an escalation of violence and arrests on the part of the authorities in the upcoming period.