Human rights defender Al-Khawaja was subject to gross violations of his civil
and human rights as a peaceful citizen, starting with the brutal way in which he
was arrested, and the torture that followed which resulted in broken jaws, and
the unfair trials that sentenced him, the known and distinguished international
activist he is, to life in prison where he suffers a lot of ill-treatment. He
has gone through several hunger strikes along with his colleagues again and
again demanding their release and a better treatment, and on February 8, 2012 he
began his current hunger strike to get freedom for himself and hundreds other
detainees, that led him to a serious medical condition that requires your
immediate intervention for his release which is the demand of the international
human rights movement.
We hope that you will respond to our sincere call immediately in order to
make it possible for human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja to travel to any
country in which he will be able to receive the required treatment as soon as
possible.
The director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab said:
"Al-Khawaja is a noble fighter and an advocate of justice, freedom and human
rights in the Arab world. He has taught hundreds of human rights defenders,
especially here in Bahrain, where he has struggled to promote the culture of
human rights and the empowerment of victims of injustice and tyranny to defend
their usurped rights."
He added: "A state that respects itself is one that values, appreciates and
honors the great human rights defenders such as Al-Khawaja and the rest of his
fellow activists who are languishing in prison with him today. To keep
Al-Khawaja in prison, while he is in this poor health conditions is a clear
injustice that reminds us of the security forces’ obsession in their quest to
imprison, torture and target human rights activists.
The deputy director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights Khalid Ibrahim said:"
I appeal to the King of Bahrain and the Bahraini Government to respond rapidly
to the desire of the human rights defenders around the world and to release the
courageous fighter and the activist teacher Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja immediately and
to allow him to travel to get the treatment of injuries he sustained as a result
of torture he suffered during his arrest."
In the case of failure to respond to this humanitarian initiative, the Gulf
Centre for Human Rights holds the King of Bahrain and the Bahraini government
fully responsible for the safety and health of Mr. Abdulhadi A-Khawaja.
