Amnesty International accused the regime in Bahrain of Toying with the life of the rominent human rights activist, Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 75 days.
Amnesty International accused the regime in Bahrain of Toying with the life of the rominent human rights activist, Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 75 days.
“The Bahrain authorities' delay 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 organization posted on its official website.
In a hearing on Monday lasting just a few minutes, the Court of Cassation in Manama, Bahrain postponed the appeal until 30 April, apparently without giving any reason for the decision. This is the second postponement si
nce the court started considering the case on 2 April.
Khawaja, who holds dual Danish and Bahraini citizenship, was given a life sentence along with 13 other activists in June 2011 after being convicted on charges of inciting protests against the Manama regime.
“The Grand Prix has come and gone but for the people of Bahrain, the media spotlight has moved on while Bahrain's authorities have yet to turn the corner on the human rights situation in the country,” added Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
The Formula One race was held in the Gulf Kingdom on Sunday. The country witnessed last week several protests against the race and the regime’s repression.
MASSIVE PROTESTS
On Tuesday, a massive protest took place as the demonstrators attempted to march place as the demonstrators attempted to march toward the heavily guarded and razor wired Pearl Square – the “Bahraini Tahrir” – in the capital, Manama. They were calling for al-Khawaja to be released.
Regime forces brutally dispersed crowds of protesters; with witnesses said security forces used tear gas and water cannons.
On the other hand, al-Khawaja’s daughter, Zainab, was again arrested on Saturday night during a protest at her father's ongoing imprisonment. She has been charged with “disrupting traffic” and “insulting” an officer and remains in detention.
