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Amnesty Secretary-General Agnès Callamard Announced Joining Maryam Al-Khawaja in Traveling to Bahrain

2023-09-13 - 12:26 p

Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Agnès Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, posted a tweet via "X" platform announcing that "on behalf of Amnesty International 10 million supporters, around the world, I will be joining Maryam Al-Khawaja in traveling to Bahrain this week to call for the release of her father, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, unjustly imprisoned for more than 12 years and for that of all prisoners of conscience."

Callamard introduced herself and announced that she is traveling with Maryam Al-Khawaja to Bahrain.

She said in the video that "Hundreds of prisoners are now entering their fifth week on hunger strike to protest poor prison conditions," noting that "Abdulhadi is locked along with ten others prisoners of conscience, many of whom face life in prison for their role in the mass protest of 2011. His life is at risk due to ongoing serious health concerns."

"Maryam's return to Bahrain is an act of deep love for her father. It is also an act which carries serious risk for her."

She stressed that "Amnesty International stands by her, by the love of a daughter for a father, and for her right to demand that he be safe and released."

Callamard urged the Bahraini authorities "to do all in their power now to respect Abdulhadi's rights, so that Maryam does not have to make this trip." She also urged "the US authorities meeting with the Bahrain Crown Prince this week to call to unconditionally release Abdulhadi and all other prisoners of conscience in Bahrain."

Maryam Al-Khawaja announced that she will be returning to Bahrain next week to demand the release of her father and other prisoners of conscience.

"I know that going back [to Bahrain] means that I might end up spending the rest of my life in prison, but I'm doing so because I feel I have no other options left," she stressed.

Arabic Version