Elaine Murtagh: The Irish Woman Fighting for Bahraini Rights
ELAINE MURTAGH: The Irish Woman Fighting for Bahraini Rights
Interview by Rachael Fulton – Safe World Correspondent – 4 March, 2012
On February 14 2012, four foreigners were arrested for taking part in a peaceful women’s rights demonstration in Bahrain.
They were tear-gassed and shot at with rubber bullets, before being deported from the country.
Amongst the deported foreigners was an Irish national, Elaine Murtagh, who was visiting to observe the human rights abuses inflicted on Bahraini citizens. She spent her time befriending ordinary civilians who had been beaten and abused – tending to their wounds and encouraging them to seek help.
The sights she encountered during her brief visit will haunt her forever.
About Bahrain
Bahrain is an archipelago of small islands situated West of the Persian Gulf and is governed by a constitutional monarchy, headed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
On 14 February 2011, inspired by the surge of revolutions spreading across the Middle East and led by a Facebook page entitled ‘Day of Rage in Bahrain’, the country erupted in protests.protest-6
The protesters stormed Bahrain’s Pearl Roundabout to campaign for equal rights and democracy. The government responded with tear gas and rubber bullets – leaving four dead and hundreds injured.
Since then, human rights violations have been widespread across the country and democracy activists are frequently arrested, tortured and detained. The death toll of civilians killed by the government since the revolution began stands at 55, and Bahraini citizens continue to protest peacefully every day in their ongoing campaign for democracy.
Safe World correspondent Rachael Fulton spoke to Elaine Murtagh about her quest for human rights in Bahrain.
INTERVIEW
Tell us a bit about yourself – what’s your job, where do you come from and what family do you have?
Elaine-Murtagh2Elaine MurtaghMy name is Elaine Murtagh. I am a 40 year-old woman who lives in the West of Ireland. I am married and I have one son who is nearly 19 now (God, saying that makes me feel old!).
I work with people who have mental disabilities. They teach me about love, respect and trust and I truly love my job.
When did you first become involved in campaigning for human rights?
I do not belong to any human rights organisation and have never worked for any either, but I have always had an interest in people and most of all, I have been gifted with compassion for all people.
I have also been gifted with speech and have always been very opinionated.
What was your initial involvement in the events in Bahrain, and how did you come to visit the country?
I lived in Bahrain in the 90’s, and my son was born there.
Last year, when the protests started, I was horrified at the killings and abuse that the people suffered, just because they had the strength to speak out for themselves. It was only on the TV every so often, so I joined Twitter and started tweeting these people.
I got to know them personally, and listened to many horrifying stories. I spoke with mothers, fathers, doctors, teachers, etc., all of whom have really suffered at the hands of the Al Khalifia family.
I suppose I was someone for them to talk to. In my own experience with life, it is very important for one in pain to be validated – it only takes one person to listen to make another feel a bit better.
This was, and still is, my aim. …more
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