Urgent Call for Medical Care and Release of Sick Prisoners
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses deep concern over the deteriorating health of detainee Ali Mohammed Al-Majed, who faces critical health conditions inside prison amid the absence of proper medical care. BCHR calls on Bahraini authorities to urgently provide him with adequate medical treatment or grant his immediate release to prevent a potential humanitarian tragedy.
Health Condition of Ali Mohammed Al-Majed
Ali Mohammed Al-Majed, a resident of Isa Town Housing (Eskan A’ali), suffers from multiple chronic health issues that require continuous medical attention:
- Heart Condition: He underwent heart valve replacement surgery as a child, which necessitates ongoing medical follow-up and care.
- Spinal Disc Disease: This condition causes him severe back pain, forcing him to pray while seated on a chair.
- High Blood Pressure and Diabetes: Both of these chronic illnesses require close monitoring and regular medication to avoid life-threatening complications.
On December 14, 2024, Al-Majed experienced severe shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat, which prompted his transfer to the prison clinic. However, according to his family, he did not receive appropriate medical treatment, raising serious concerns about his health and survival.
Arrest and Detention Circumstances
Ali Mohammed Al-Majed was arrested in July 2024 at Bahrain International Airport upon his return from over eight years of exile abroad. He had been sentenced to three years in prison and was initially detained for two and a half months in the Dry Dock Detention Center before being released temporarily. However, on December 9, 2024, security forces raided his home and rearrested him, sending him back to prison, where his health began to decline.
Family Concerns and Warnings
Al-Majed’s family has voiced serious concerns about his health, warning that the lack of medical care could lead to fatal consequences. His family recalls the tragic fates of other prisoners who died due to medical negligence in Bahraini prisons, such as Hussein Barakat and Hussein Omar. The family is demanding that authorities either provide him with immediate medical attention or release him to avoid a repeat of past tragedies, where sick prisoners were released only in coffins.
Violation of Prisoners’ Health Rights
The ongoing denial of medical care to Ali Mohammed Al-Majed is a clear violation of the right to health for prisoners, as guaranteed by Bahraini law and international human rights standards. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) emphasize the right of detainees to receive appropriate medical care. Depriving detainees of medical treatment amounts to a violation of Bahrain’s obligations under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which require the state to protect the health, dignity, and well-being of detainees.
BCHR’s Demands and Recommendations
BCHR urges Bahraini authorities to act immediately to save the life of detainee Ali Mohammed Al-Majed. The organization calls for the following actions:
- Immediate release of Ali Mohammed Al-Majed on humanitarian and medical grounds, considering his urgent need for specialized healthcare.
- Provide adequate and timely medical treatment to all detainees in Bahraini prisons, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses.
- Conduct an independent investigation into cases of medical negligence and hold those responsible accountable.
- Comply with the Mandela Rules and other international human rights standards, ensuring that detainees receive the necessary healthcare and treatment in line with human dignity.
- Establish an independent monitoring mechanism to oversee the health conditions of prisoners and ensure transparency and accountability for any medical neglect.
Nedal Al-Salman, BCHR Director and FIDH Vice President says:
“The lives of detainees are not to be neglected, as medical negligence is a grave violation of human rights. We do not want to see more prisoners released in coffins. The life of Ali Mohammed Al-Majed and other detainees with critical health conditions is in the hands of the Bahraini authorities. Every day of delay increases the risk of losing another life.”
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) confirm that the deteriorating health of Ali Mohammed Al-Majed is a serious and urgent issue that requires immediate action.
The denial of medical treatment to detainees is a systematic issue in Bahraini prisons, and past cases have shown how neglecting medical needs can result in tragic deaths.
BCHR calls on the United Nations, the European Union, and the international community to pressure Bahraini authorities to ensure adequate medical treatment for detainees. Bahrain Centre for Human Rights urges Bahrain to uphold its obligations under international human rights law and protect the lives and well-being of prisoners. The failure to do so not only threaten the lives of detainees but also exposes the structural failings within Bahrain’s prison system.
The life of Ali Mohammed Al-Majed is hanging in the balance, and urgent intervention is needed before it is too late