Amnesty: Bahrain Toying with Activist Al-Khawaja’s Life
Local Editor
Amnesty International condemned the delaying tactics of a Bahrain court -- after the second postponement of an appeals hearing for 14 jailed activists -- in light of the critical condition of prominent activist Addulhadi al-Khawaja, who is on his 75th day of a hunger strike.
The human rights organization said Bahrain is "toying" with al-Khawaja's life and demanded his release, along with the other 13 activists.
The appeal hearing Monday lasted just a few minutes in the Court of Cassation in Manama before it was postponed until April 30, with no reason given. This is the second postponement since the court started considering the case on April 2.
"The Bahrain authorities' delaying tactics are toying with the life of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is on death's doorstep as he enters his 75th day on hunger strike," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Amnesty International.
"He and the 13 other defendants in this case are prisoners of conscience, held solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression amid anti-government protests last year."
The activist has said he intends to continue his hunger strike until he is released, yet there is virtually no hope he will be released before April 30, which severely heightens concerns for his survival. During Monday's hearing the court was fenced off and surrounded by security, and each defendant could only have their lawyers and one family member present.
Khawaja, who holds dual Danish and Bahraini citizenship, was given a life sentence in June 2011 after being convicted on charges of inciting protests against the Manama regime.
When his family last spoke to him on Sunday night he told them he is happy with his decision to remain on hunger strike and if it kills him, he "will at least be free".
The hunger-striker's daughter, Zainab al-Khawaja, was arrested on Saturday night during a demonstration over her father's imprisonment.
On Monday, Saudi-backed regime forces attacked mourners holding a funeral for anti-regime protester Salah Abbas Habib, who was found dead on a rooftop in the village of Shakhoura, southwest of Manama.
Habib was found dead on Saturday shortly after regime forces attacked an anti-government demonstration in the area the day before the Formula One Grand Prix.
Source: News Agencies, edited by moqawama.org
Amnesty International condemned the delaying tactics of a Bahrain court -- after the second postponement of an appeals hearing for 14 jailed activists -- in light of the critical condition of prominent activist Addulhadi al-Khawaja, who is on his 75th day of a hunger strike.
The human rights organization said Bahrain is "toying" with al-Khawaja's life and demanded his release, along with the other 13 activists.
The appeal hearing Monday lasted just a few minutes in the Court of Cassation in Manama before it was postponed until April 30, with no reason given. This is the second postponement since the court started considering the case on April 2.
"The Bahrain authorities' delaying tactics are toying with the life of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is on death's doorstep as he enters his 75th day on hunger strike," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Amnesty International."He and the 13 other defendants in this case are prisoners of conscience, held solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression amid anti-government protests last year."
The activist has said he intends to continue his hunger strike until he is released, yet there is virtually no hope he will be released before April 30, which severely heightens concerns for his survival. During Monday's hearing the court was fenced off and surrounded by security, and each defendant could only have their lawyers and one family member present.
Khawaja, who holds dual Danish and Bahraini citizenship, was given a life sentence in June 2011 after being convicted on charges of inciting protests against the Manama regime.
When his family last spoke to him on Sunday night he told them he is happy with his decision to remain on hunger strike and if it kills him, he "will at least be free".
The hunger-striker's daughter, Zainab al-Khawaja, was arrested on Saturday night during a demonstration over her father's imprisonment.
On Monday, Saudi-backed regime forces attacked mourners holding a funeral for anti-regime protester Salah Abbas Habib, who was found dead on a rooftop in the village of Shakhoura, southwest of Manama.
Habib was found dead on Saturday shortly after regime forces attacked an anti-government demonstration in the area the day before the Formula One Grand Prix.
Source: News Agencies, edited by moqawama.org
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