Bahrain is currently experiencing its largest-ever hunger strike, which has been ongoing for 24 days. The hunger strike is being carried out by a group of political detainees who are demanding improved conditions and an end to human rights abuses in Bahrain’s prisons.
The detainees have called for an investigation into allegations of torture and mistreatment, as well as the release of political prisoners. The hunger strike has received international attention and calls for the Bahraini government to address the detainees’ demands.
The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), based in Britain, has reported that approximately 800 prisoners, mostly dissidents detained during the 2011 crackdown on Shiite-led protests, are currently participating in a hunger strike.
However, Bahraini authorities have countered this claim, stating that only 121 inmates are involved. Sayed Alwadaei, advocacy director of BIRD, expressed his dissatisfaction with the authorities’ response, stating that their offer to address the situation is inadequate and has come too late, given that the hunger strike has already lasted for 22 days, making it the longest in Bahrain’s prison history.
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) is deeply concerned about the ongoing hunger strike by several hundred prisoners in Jau prison in Bahrain, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson of OHCHR said in a statement. The strike, which is now in its 24th day, is in protest of the poor conditions in the prison.
The prisoners have demanded improvements to a number of areas, including:
- Increased time outside their cells
- The ability to pray in congregation at the prison mosque
- Changes to constraints on family visits
- Improvements to education facilities
- Access to proper medical care
Shamdasani stated that although the authorities have agreed to enhance medical care accessibility and extend visiting hours at the prison, the UN Human Rights Office acknowledges that the prisoners remain unsatisfied with these actions. Consequently, they are determined to continue their hunger strike until their fundamental demands are fulfilled.
Shamdasani revealed a positive development, stating that Bahrain has officially invited the UN Human Rights Office to make a visit to the country. As a result, the Office is now ready to undertake a thorough evaluation of the prison conditions in Bahrain and provide expert recommendations to the authorities based on global norms. Furthermore, the Office is also committed to extending technical aid in order to improve the overall situation of prisoners in Bahrain.
The hunger strike is the latest form of protest undertaken by prisoners in Bahrain, following a series of similar actions in recent years. One notable hunger strike was carried out by Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a human rights defender serving a life sentence for his political involvement.
The treatment of prisoners by the Bahraini government has drawn criticism from numerous human rights organizations, who accuse the government of engaging in torture, arbitrary detention, and other violations of human rights.
The UN Human Rights Office urgently calls upon the Bahraini authorities to promptly address the concerns raised by the prisoners and ensure the protection of their rights.
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