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US Stays Silent as Bahraini Human Rights Defenders are Targeted

4-21-2011

By Brian Dooley
Director, Human Rights Defenders

Photo of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja. Sign the petition now and demand to free illegally detained Bahrainis!

In Bahrain, the sudden excitement of democracy rallies have been replaced with the cold reality of repression as the government cracks down on pro-democracy protestors and activists. This week, I went to an event in Washington D.C. where the Bahraini Minister for Finance, Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, gave a speech about the great economic strides made by his country. I asked him why they were detaining and torturing people, and why there were four deaths in police custody this month alone.

Predictably (if both tragically and comically) he said no-one in Bahrain had been detained because of their peaceful opinions, that “the days of us trying to control the media are behind us,” and that “the silent majority” is with the government.

The U.S. Government appears happy to be part of that silence. The Bahraini minister was no doubt delighted by the State Department’s announcement on Monday that “the U.S. supports the Bahraini leadership’s own embrace of the principles of reform and the respect for rule of law and coexistence.” Nothing about widespread torture, nothing about the estimated 600 plus people in detention, nothing about medical and legal professionals being targeted for supporting the pro-democracy activists.

Earlier this month, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was dragged from his home in the middle of the night, beaten unconscious, and taken away. His family heard that he would be tried today but when they went to the courthouse they weren’t allowed in, not even Abdulhadi’s lawyers. No-one would confirm he was inside.

Sign the petition now! Demand to free illegally detained Bahrainis including Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, medical workers and athletes.

A few weeks ago, I called Abdulhadi just after he’d been shot for taking part in a pro-democracy protest. He wasn’t badly hurt and sounded upbeat, but concerned about those who were more seriously injured but were being denied medical treatment by the authorities. But when he called his family from detention a couple of days ago, they said his voice was very weak and that he sounded very tired. His family asked how he was doing and he answered, “the oppression is great.” They believe he’s been tortured.

This week, I met with one of Abdulhadi’s daughters, Maryam Al-Khawaja, who spoke about her father’s violent and illegal detention. We also spoke about her sister, Zeinab Al Khawaja, who had been engaged in a ten-day hunger strike in protest of her father’s treatment. In this video, Zeinab explains her decision.

Zeinab’s health had deteriorated since she started her hunger strike, and, in the past few days, she was not able to speak or move. Yesterday, after human rights activists in Bahrain and outside told her that her voice was needed in the struggle for human rights, she ended her hunger strike. Human Rights First is committed to bring justice to those illegally detained and abused and we will continue to work on Adbulhadi’s case and the others. We will keep you updated on this ongoing situation.


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Posted in Blog | 7 Comments »

  • jameela

    Thank You for supporting Bahrain, Please keep going.

  • abu ferass

    than you v.m. , we think you the source of light , please keep shine and help us

  • Abdulla

    You have to ask yourself why those people detained ??? because they did illegal action in Bahrain. Abduhadi Al khawaja was detained becuase of his speech in pearl roundabout which he used bad words against the king. Doctors like Dr. Nader Diwani (pediatrition) detained because he was going to emergenency section and his duty was in children section. In addition, he was not doing his job (treating children) but he joined demonstrations against the governement inside the hospital.

    • najmah

      you have to be kidding!! no one believes scuh nonsense as that anymore. i am a bahraini-american and if i stand on the step0s of the whit house and say bad things about the government, i will not be beaten and arrested!! open your eyes and dont try to continue the propaganda of the government. people are being detained, tortured and killed because they speak out about the oppression that they have been facing for years! this is not something new. bahrain likes to tell the world that this is a sectarian issue, but you and ı know it’s a lie. this is an issue of poverty, lack of human rights, disenfrancisment, unemployment and a lack of dignity given to the people of the country!!by the way, that doctor had every right to treat whoever he wanted. he has a sworn duty to treat anyone who is in need! the last time i checked, helping people was not a crime. oh, sorry, maybe it is in bahrain!!!!

      • Expat – spend 11 yrs in Bahrain

        I am an expatriate spent 11 years in Bahrain. I was holding a very senior position with a private business and had the opportunity of employing both Sunni and Shia. Now bear in mind, personally I was never concerned who it is as long as they are good in their work and more importantly they fit to the needs of the job description. I distinctly observed that Shias when you employ them, most of them don’t come to work regularly, do not respect the timing and worst do not have respect for others in the office.
        As to the government of the country, I have travelled extensively all over middle east and believe me, Bahrain is one of the most advanced countries when you talk about human rights and equal opportunity. The government supports all and is not discriminatory. All these are my personal opinion. The Shia’s fighting up a cause is not a major cause that should bring up losses to the state assets in the country.
        Remember what ever cause you are fighting for, the bottom line is IT’S your country and YOU DON’T destroy your home for peace within the house.

  • Mehrab Almoayer

    Would you please say about Kareem Fakhrawi whom arrested and turtured to death and his funeral was on Apr. 13th !!!!

  • http://none Comrade Akinloye Oyeniyi, Nigeria

    The Crown Prince should know that the way he was given birth to was the same way all Bahrainis were given birth to. Human rights are natural rights that shouldn’t be tampered with by anyone. Release thise Activist or face global condemnation that will be spearheaded by me.