Bahrain Mirror: Over a dozen human rights organizations penned a letter to United States President Joe Biden, calling on the US government to press the Bahraini authorities to immediately release Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja.

"Respect for human rights is inextricably linked to US national security interests, and the ongoing detention and possible death of a prominent Bahraini human rights defender in state custody threaten those interests. Al-Khawaja's precarious situation demands an urgent response," the letter stated.

"We respectfully request that the United States leverage its close security partnership and urge Bahraini authorities to release Al-Khawaja immediately and unconditionally, and in the meantime, ensure he is provided with life-saving medical care to prevent an imminent tragedy."

The signatories include organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Service for Human Rights. 

 Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, expressed in a Tweet her concern after the recent reports on Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja's health, as he spends his 12th year in prison for his peaceful defence of human rights, and demanded his immediate release.

Al-Khawaja announced on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, launching a hunger strike in solidarity with the political detainees who are on hunger strike in Jaw Central Prison. 

Hundreds of political detainees in Jaw Central Prison began an open hunger strike on Monday, August 7, 2023, to demand their rights after the authorities ignored their demands and continued to violate their rights with unfair decisions such as isolation, denying them of the right to education and neglecting their health care, as well as the system of visits and congregational prayer.

Arabic Version