A coalition of thirty-one organisations, including ARTICLE 19, has reached out to the European Union, calling for immediate action towards the release of two EU nationals, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a Danish-Bahraini citizen, and Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad, a Swedish-Bahraini. Their detention, deemed arbitrary, is linked to the aftermath of the 2011 uprising in Bahrain, where authorities responded with violence against protesters and opposition figures, leading to widespread human rights violations that continue to this day.
Despite the EU engaging in diplomatic dialogues and advocating for the rights of Mr Al-Khawaja and Mr Al-Muqdad, their situation remains unchanged after nearly 14 years of imprisonment. Recent reports on human rights in Bahrain have painted a misleading picture, highlighting supposed improvements while ignoring systemic torture, lack of medical care for prisoners, and political unfairness within the judicial system.
Bahrain’s government unjustly detains many, including prominent human rights advocates, while reported instances of torture and deprivation of basic rights continue to transpire. The EU’s recent cooperation agreements with Bahrain contrast strikingly with the ongoing violations against detainees, including Mr Al-Khawaja and Mr Al-Muqdad, who have suffered torture and malpractice within the judicial system.
Amid these troubling circumstances, there’s been some movement, with a reported release of political prisoners through royal pardons in 2024. However, deplorable conditions in prisons remain alarming, exemplified by the deaths of political prisoners and instances of significant neglect regarding medical care and humane treatment.
In light of the imperative for human rights accountability, the coalition urges the EU to take decisive action. They advocate for a high-level outreach to Bahrain’s King, emphasising the need for dialogue with the families of the detained men, a balanced assessment of the human rights situation in their reports, and immediate actions against the death penalty practices. By ensuring the respect for human rights in diplomatic relations, the EU can foster genuine progress and hope for the release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad.
Thirty-one organisations, including ARTICLE 19, have urged the EU to intervene for the release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad, arbitrarily detained in Bahrain since 2011. Despite past diplomatic efforts, the situation remains dire, reflecting broader human rights violations. The groups call for high-level outreach to Bahrain’s King and improved reporting on human rights conditions in the country.
The urgent appeal from human rights groups highlights the protracted struggle of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad in Bahrain, reflecting broader issues of human rights violations within the country. Despite the EU’s diplomatic efforts, the calls for immediate and robust action, including high-level meetings and more accurate reporting, remain critical for fostering accountability and rehabilitation in Bahrain. The plight of these prisoners underscores the ongoing need for vigilance in human rights advocacy, especially as diplomatic ties develop.
Original Source: www.article19.org
