Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Calls on EU Member States To Stand To Their Obligation

Imprisoned Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Calls EU Member States To Stand To Their Obligation To Protect HRDs in Bahrain

Human rights defender and previous MENA Coordinator for Frontline Defenders, Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja (51 years old), has entered his 14th day on open hunger strike for freedom in his detention in Bahrain prison, which he started on February 8, 2012. His health is deteriorating as he has lost 9 kilos, and suffered an internal bleeding due to kidneys damage. He has been taken to hospital more than once in the past days due to a drop in his blood sugar, but he is continuing his hunger strike.

On a letter that he wrote to the Danish Forieng Minister, Danish-Bahrini human rights defender Alkhawaja called EU member states to take action as per the EU-Guidelines to protect human rights defender.

“As a human rights defender, regardless of being a Danish citizen, I am entitled for protection by EU member states in accordance with the EU Guidelines on the protection of human rights defenders around the world. Hence, I would suggest that the Danish authorities kindly put more efforts, in coordination with the other EU-State members, to take whatever possible action at the regional level as embassies, in Brussels institutions ad at the UN in Geneva, to address my case and the cases of other detained activists, calling for release, repartition and protection for human rights defenders in Bahrain. ”

Read AlKhawaja’s letter from prison HERE

khawajaAlKhawaj is detained since 9 April 2011. He has been sentenced to life by a military court in Jun 2011 along with another 20 activists and political leaders. His sentence was upheld in Sep 2011 by the military court of appeal. No date set yet for his case at the court of cassation. He is a victim of torture and a prisoner of conscience.

This is his second hunger strike with a gap of 2 days between the two (last strike began January 29 and ended February 5) and he was transferred to the hospital after a drop in his sugar level and blood pressure.

Family members have said that although Alkhawaja was in high spirits, he looked thin and weak and had obvious problems concentrating, during their visit to him on Feb 18, 2012.

Mr.Alkhawaja also confirmed that he had collapsed last Wednesday (Feb 15, 2012) and was transferred to the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital after a sharp drop in his sugar and blood pressure. He was first transferred to the Jaw Prison clinic but when medics saw his condition they quickly called for an ambulance. He was semi unconscious when he was transported via an ambulance to the hospital where he suffered from muscle spasms. He received treatment but refused to end his hungerstrike.
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