Bahrain Mirror: The Americans for Democracy and Human Rights stressed that "The escalating trend of medical negligence in Bahraini prisons has been observed recently, with a notable absence of effective external pressure to promote human rights in Bahrain from the allies of the ruling authorities, including both the American and European sides, who have historically been supportive of oppressive governments." The organization called on Bahrain allies to urge Bahrain to unconditionally release political prisoners.  

It confirmed that "American officials have failed to raise concerns about the dire human rights situation in prisons and the continued detention of political prisoners, including those suffering from chronic illnesses and opposition leaders."

ADHRB reminded that "In his election campaign, President Joe Biden promised to prioritize human rights in foreign policy, but he has continued to provide military and security support to repressive governments in the Middle East, including the Bahraini government."

In the same context, the organization stated that "The British government continues to prioritize arms sales to Bahrain at the expense of human rights. The UK has designated Bahrain as a key client for arms exports, having sold weapons worth £105 million to Bahrain."

Many political prisoners in Jaw Prison complain about the policy of slow death, as they continue to be deprived of proper healthcare and subjected to retaliation and mistreatment. Their condition necessitates their immediate release so that they can receive appropriate medical care. Among these detainees are: Abdulwahab Hussein Ismail, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, Hasan Mushaima, Sheikh Mirza Al-Mahrous, Mohammad Hasan Abdullah (Al-Raml), Abduljabbar Isa Mohammad and Habib Ali Al-Fardan.

It noted that "Since the beginning of 2023, the pace of protests among political prisoners has escalated in response to the policy of medical negligence and human rights violations they have faced. Political prisoners have often resorted to this sole weapon available to them which is hunger strike." ADHRB mentioned number of prisoners who are on hunger strike, Moqdad Al-Jaziri, Sheikh Abdulhadi Al-Mokhawder and Sheikh Hasan Isa.

It indicated   "the ongoing policy of medical negligence in Jaw Prison and the inhumane conditions violate international detention standards and Nelson Mandela Rules for the Protection of Prisoners, alongside the physical and psychological mistreatment and poor healthcare that violate the human rights of prisoners."

It showed that "the Bahraini government's negligence in providing medical care has resulted in the deterioration of prisoners' health and exposed them to further risks when they declared hunger strikes," highlighting that "serious diseases such as tuberculosis have spread among political prisoners, causing harm to their health in 2022." It also reminded that "this situation has raised concerns from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, who called on the Bahraini government to provide necessary healthcare to Hassan Abdullah Habib, Ali Husain Barakat, and Murtadha Abdulredha Mohamed."

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain called on allied countries, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states, to "Demand the unconditional release of political prisoners, particularly the elderly and those afflicted with tuberculosis and other chronic diseases, who are facing health complications that may worsen due to the spread of diseases and urge authorities to provide necessary and appropriate medical care for all prisoners and ensure that prisons meet minimum standards for providing healthcare."

It also called them to demand Bahrain to "Verify the transparency of officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, and official human rights institutions regarding information related to the medical conditions inside prisons."

ADHRB called on Bahrain allies to "Request visits, especially by ambassadors of countries, to Bahraini prisons to observe the prison conditions and express solidarity with political prisoners and exert pressure on Bahrain to allow visits by Special Procedures Offices to Bahraini prisons."

Arabic Version