The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) welcomes the statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders reiterating the call for the immediate and unconditional release of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and expressing serious concern over his health and the deteriorating health of his elderly mother.
The statement follows a private consultation between BCHR and the UN Special Rapporteur, during which BCHR raised concerns regarding Al-Khawaja’s continued imprisonment, his deteriorating health, the denial of adequate medical care, and the urgent need for his release.
BCHR particularly welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s recognition that Al-Khawaja should be with his family rather than serving a life sentence for his human rights work. Her call comes as Al-Khawaja begins a hunger strike, placing his health at further risk after more than 15 years of imprisonment.
Al-Khawaja, a founding member of BCHR and one of Bahrain’s most prominent human rights defenders, has spent more than fifteen years behind bars following his arrest in 2011 and subsequent life sentence. BCHR has repeatedly called for his immediate and unconditional release and has documented the serious human rights concerns surrounding his detention, treatment, access to medical care, and contact with his family. (BCHR)
Nedal Al Salman, Director of BCHR, said:
“We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s clear and unequivocal call for Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s immediate and unconditional release. His continued imprisonment is not only an injustice against Abdulhadi; it is a powerful symbol of the continued criminalisation of peaceful human rights work in Bahrain.
“Abdulhadi should not have to risk his life through another hunger strike simply to demand the basic rights that should be guaranteed to every prisoner. After more than fifteen years in prison, it is time for the Bahraini authorities to end this injustice and allow him to return to his family.
“We also urge the authorities to immediately ensure that Abdulhadi has access to appropriate and independent medical care and regular communication with his family abroad. No prisoner should be deprived of contact with their loved ones, particularly when their health and the health of an elderly parent are at serious risk.”
BCHR further urges the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, along with all those imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
Until his release, Bahrain must ensure that Al-Khawaja has unrestricted access to adequate and independent medical care, regular communication with his family, and all safeguards required under international human rights law.
BCHR also calls on the international community, including governments, UN mechanisms and regional institutions, to maintain pressure on Bahrain to end the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience and to ensure accountability for violations committed against them.
BCHR’s previous calls for Al-Khawaja’s release are available here:
- “Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja: Bahrain’s Mandela and the Continuing Struggle for Freedom and Human Dignity”
- “Bahrain: Call to Release Political Prisoners and End Prison Abuses”