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 Public Prosecution accused Ms. Zainab Al-Khawaja “Assault on Police”. The decision made by the prosecutor to imprison Ms. Al-Khawaja for 7 days pending investigation.

Ms. Zaynab Alkhawaja – a 27 years old Cyber Activist, better known as Angryarabiya on twitter.She was arrested yesterday (April 21, 2012) after Sit in the middle of the road which leads to the Circuit Bahrain Formula One.

Ms. Alkhawaja, Was protesting against Formula One, human rights violations and demanding the release of her father, who on hunger strike since February 9, 2012.

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 and She reported being beaten during her arrest.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the immediate release of 14 prominent activists were arrested after protests February 14 and have been protests calling for democracy and human rights.

14 prominent activists Appeal today 23 April, 2012 before the Court of Cassation in ordinary court.

On the 22th of June 2011, Military Court judge issued a sentence on 21 defendants:

1-Abdulwahab Hussain Ali ( life sentence imprisonment)
2-Ibrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa ( 5 Years imprisonment)
3-Hassan Ali Mushaima.( life sentence imprisonment)
4-Abdulhadi Al Khawaja ( life sentence imprisonment)
5-Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace.( life sentence imprisonment)
6-Mohammed Habib Al Safaf. ( Mohammed Habib Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
7-Saeed Mirza Ahmed. ( Saeed AlNouri) ( life sentence imprisonment)
8-Abduljalil Mansoor Makk. (Abdul Jalil Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
9-Al Hurra Yousif Mohammed.( 2 Years imprisonment)
10-Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos.( 5 years imprisonment)
11-Salah Hubail Al Khawaj.( 5 years imprisonment)
12-Mohammed Hassan Jawad.( 15 years imprisonment)
13-Mohammed Ali Ismael. ( 15 years imprisonment))
14-Abdul Hadi Abdullah Mahdi Hassan ( Abdulhadi AlMukhodher) ( 15 years imprisonment)

Defendants ( in Absentia) :

15-Akeel Ahmed Al Mafoodh.( 15 years imprisonment)
16-Ali Hassan Abdullah.( Ali Abdulemam) ( 15 years imprisonment)
17-Abdulghani Ali Khanjar.( 15 years imprisonment)
18-Saeed Abdulnabi Shehab.( life sentence imprisonment)
19-Abdulraoof Al Shayeb.( 15 years imprisonment)
20-Abbas Al Omran.( 15 years imprisonment)
21-Ali Hassan Mushaima.( 15 years imprisonment)

Attached information about the Defendants – Click Here

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has issued list of charges and articles (click here) used by the military prosecutor to prosecute 21 opposition leaders and human rights defenders.

Ms. Zaynab Alkhawaja – a 27 years old Cyber Activist, better known as Angryarabiya on twitter.She was arrested yesterday (April 21, 2012) after Sit in the middle of the road which leads to the Circuit Bahrain Formula One.

Ms. Alkhawaja, Was protesting against Formula One, human rights violations and demanding the release of her father, who on hunger strike since February 9, 2012.

The Public Prosecution will interrogate Ms. Alkhawaja today (April 22).

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 and She reported being beaten during her arrest.

Mr.Salah Abbas Habib-36 years old- died today morning (April 21, 2012) in the village of Abusaiba.

Mr.Salah is the leader of protests in the areas of Abu Saiba.

As witnesses told Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) that Mr.Salah Was participating in a peaceful protest in the village of Abusaiba on April 20, 2012.He was leading the demonstrations in the village.At approximately 11:20PM Riot forces stormed the village and used the birdshot, tear gas and stun grenades.

Other witnesses told BYSHR that the Mr.Salah was with a group of demonstrators – approximately 13 protestors – and during the storming of the village by the riot police, the following event happaned:

1-Five of the protesters escaped to a farm.
2-Five of the protesters were detained by riot police and were tortured and then released.
3-Three people were injured because of the birdshot (two of them escaped to the farm) and Salah was injured and could not escape.

other witnesses told BYSHR that Mr.Salah was arrested by riot police.

The BYSHR can not confirm the cause of death, whether birdshot or torture after arrest.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands urgent and immediate investigation into the death of Mr.Salah Abbas.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the use of shotgun by riot police against protesters on yesterday (18 April).

Thousands of people demonstrated yesterday (18 April) in many areas (areas: Sitra, Ma’ameer, Tubli, A’ali, Hamad Town, Karzakan, Sar, Juffair, Karranah, Aboqowa, Sanabis, Bilad Alqadeem, Manama, Mahooz and AlDair)

The demonstrators demanded an end to Formula One in Bahrain and the release of a prominent human rights activist Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja.

Riot police used the shotgun extensively to suppress the demonstrators, and according to the BYSHR “at least 40 demonstrators were treated in different areas and has not been transferred to hospitals for fear of arrest and ill-treatment”

Video ( treatment the demonstrator in the village of Sitra):

Injured protesters in Sitra:

Injured protesters in Karzakan

Injured protesters in A’ali

Injured protesters in Sanabis

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the violations that have increased due to Formula One in Bahrain, as Bahraini authorities launched a bloody and violent crackdown to prevent protests during the race.

On April 14, the Bahraini authorities have arrested 18 protesters in the village of Bani Jamra, and detainees had been subjected to severe torture during arrest.

Witnesses confirmed that the detainees were screaming loudly after being severely beaten.Eyewitnesses confirmed that the blood was on the ground everywhere.

On April 13, security forces used live ammunition in the villages of Diraz and Sitra, and the BYSHR not received any information about casualties because of the use live ammunition against demonstrators.

Video proves the use of live ammunition (captured in the village of Sitra):

Since April 14, security forces are using birdshot against the demonstrators, and the BYSHR received information confirming wounding more than 10 people in the upper region of the body.

Video proves the use of birdshot (captured in the village of Salmabad):

Video confirms the injured demonstrator Mohamed Ahmed - 15 years – in peaceful demonstrations, and Mohammed has been transferred to the hospital between life and death, and the BYSHR has not received further information about his health condition.

Since April 15 until April 16 in the morning, security forces stormed the villages of Sitra and Ghuraifa and arrested more than 10 demonstrators from the two villages.

The BYSHR received information confirming the arrests took place in other villages also.

On 15 April, security forces arrested a member of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) Mr.Sayed Yousif Almuhafda and two employees in the Human Rights Watch.The Bahraini authorities have released them later.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) believes that the security crackdown to prevent any demonstrations against the Formula 1, and the BYSHR calling for the Bahraini authorities to stop oppression and calls for officials of Formula One to cancel the race in Bahrain to protect freedoms.

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.