Introduction
The Washington Center for Human Rights stands in solidarity with Human Rights Watch in its recent call for Bahrain to urgently address the alarming situation of hundreds of prisoners currently engaged in a hunger strike. This pressing issue demands immediate global attention, as it raises critical concerns about the humane treatment of detainees in Bahrain’s prisons.
The Hunger Strike Crisis in Bahrain
In August 2023, a staggering number of over 400 inmates incarcerated in Bahrain’s Jau prison embarked on a hunger strike as a last resort. This act of desperation was born out of the deplorable conditions of their detention and the systematic denial of essential healthcare services. Shockingly, by the end of August, the hunger strike had grown exponentially to include more than 800 prisoners, underscoring the magnitude and urgency of the situation within Bahrain’s prison system.
Gross Violations of Rights
Many of these hunger strikers find themselves behind bars due to grossly unfair trials that have systematically violated their fundamental rights. Rather than seeking justice, these prisoners are faced with ongoing inhumane treatment and an appalling lack of access to adequate healthcare services. The conditions they endure in detention are a blatant affront to international human rights norms and principles.
Prolonged solitary confinement, a practice employed in some cases, forces prisoners to spend up to 23 hours a day confined to their cells. Such isolation is internationally recognized as a form of torture and contravenes established human rights standards. The hunger strikers demand an end to this cruel practice, more outdoor time, the right to pray together in congregation at the prison mosque, and the ability to receive family visits without intrusive barriers. Moreover, the prisoners are being systematically denied access to essential medical care, a fundamental right that is indispensable for their well-being and dignity.
Prominent Human Rights Defenders at Risk
Among the hunger strikers, two prominent figures stand out—Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Abduljalil al-Singace. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a co-founder of leading human rights organizations, has been unjustly serving a life sentence since 2011 following a grossly unfair trial. His only plea is for access to specialist medical care, an urgent necessity given his life-threatening cardiac problems. Tragically, his health has deteriorated significantly in recent months, and experts express grave concerns over the potential for a sudden, fatal cardiac arrest.
Abduljalil al-Singace, a respected academic and human rights defender, embarked on a hunger strike without solid food on July 8, 2021, in protest of the confiscation of his handwritten book notes by prison authorities. His physical condition has deteriorated significantly, marked by diminished eyesight, arthritis in his shoulder joints, tremors, and prostate problems. Even more disturbing is the fact that he is being held in solitary confinement and denied access to the adequate medical treatment that he desperately needs.
Bahrain’s Obligations Under International Law
Bahrain, like all nations, is unequivocally bound by international law to treat all detainees humanely. Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights imposes a clear obligation on authorities to treat prisoners with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity. Furthermore, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Mandela Rules, emphasize the importance of providing specialized treatment for prisoners who require it.
The International Community’s Responsibility
The Washington Center for Human Rights urgently calls upon the international community to exercise its diplomatic influence and leverage to press Bahraini authorities into ending their abusive treatment of prisoners. The world must not remain silent while over 800 prisoners in Bahrain, many of whom should never have been incarcerated in the first place, risk their lives to demand basic human rights. It is imperative that nations with close ties to Bahrain take a decisive stance in defense of human rights and justice.
Conclusion
The ongoing hunger strike within Bahrain’s Jau prison serves as a distressing testament to the flagrant violations of human rights that persist within the country’s prison system. Immediate and concerted action is indispensable to prevent further suffering and the potential loss of life. The Washington Center for Human Rights joins the call made by Human Rights Watch, urging Bahrain to address the prisoners’ legitimate grievances, provide them with the essential medical care they require, and release those who have been unjustly imprisoned.
Only through unwavering commitment and coordinated efforts can we hope to rectify this grave injustice and reaffirm the fundamental principles of human rights that Bahrain, like all nations, is duty-bound to uphold. The international community must unite to ensure that justice is served, and the dignity of these prisoners is respected, for their lives and well-being are at stake.