A daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain says she will return to the island nation to press for his release
FILE - Human rights activist Maryam al-Khawaja flashes the victory sign outside a police station in Muharraq, Bahrain, on Sept. 18, 2014. Al-Khawaja, a daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain, said Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, that she would return to the island nation to press for his release amid a major hunger strike by him and hundreds of other inmates there, even though she could be imprisoned as well.
Bahrain's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Maryam al-Khawaja's planned trip. It earlier sought to minimize the impact of the hunger strike in statements sent to the AP. The hunger strike began Aug. 7 at the Jaw Rehabilitation and Reform Center, a facility holding many of the prisoners identified by human rights activists as dissidents who oppose the rule of the Al Khalifa family.
The prisoners' demands include their right to worship, ending 23-hour lockdowns daily and arbitrary isolation by guards, securing family visits and being provided adequate health care. Maryam al-Khawaja said she planned to travel to Bahrain next week around the same time of the crown prince's visit to Washington. Plans include her being accompanied by other human rights activists to ensure her safety. However, she faces a variety of charges still on the island, including what she described as unclear terrorism charges that could carry a life sentence.
The Jaw Rehabilitation and Reform Center is toward the southern end of Bahrain, an island off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf that’s about the size of New York City with a population of around 1.5 million people. Concerns over medical care at the prison have been raised before by activists.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Daughter of long-imprisoned activist in Bahrain to return to island in bid to push for his releaseA daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain says she will return to the island nation to press for his release.
Read more »
Daughter of long-imprisoned activist in Bahrain to return to island in bid to push for his releaseA daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain says she will return to the island nation to press for his release.
Read more »
Daughter of long-imprisoned activist in Bahrain to return to island in bid to push for his releaseA daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain says she will return to the island nation to press for his release.
Read more »
Book Review: 'Reading Jane: A Daughter's Memoir,' by Susannah KennedySusannah Kennedy is left reeling when her mother Jane shockingly decides to take her own life, despite being a healthy 75 years.
Read more »
Breaking the Stigma: Mother talks about losing daughter to suicideSeptember is National Suicide Prevention Month, and today we're focusing on those left behind when someone takes their own life.
Read more »