DUBAI, Aug. 31 (Reuters) – Political prisoners on hunger strike in Bahrain have rejected government concessions and plan to expand their protests, amid recent tensions between rebels and the Saudi-backed ruling party. The stakes are high for the biggest showdown of the year.
The Sunni Muslim al-Khalifa dynasty has largely faced little opposition since Riyadh sent troops to help crush the Arab Spring uprisings by mostly Shiite rebels in 2011. However, the hunger strike is the largest organized protest movement in recent years.
Neighboring Sunni Saudi Arabia has reacted historically to the political turmoil in Bahrain, where the Al Khalifa alliance controls the Shiite majority and has long accused longtime Shiite rival Iran of stirring up unrest. Sensitive.
About 800 inmates are on hunger strike in the capital’s Jau prison over so-called harsh conditions, human rights groups and detainees’ families said on Thursday, as the prisoners rejected government concessions. Announced.
Saeed Alwadai, director of advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, said: “Based on conversations with prisoners after the Ministry of Interior’s statement, the hunger strike will not continue until the government seriously and sincerely addresses prisoners’ concerns. It’s clear.”
Al-Wadei said the prisoners are calling for an end to isolation for some prisoners, more daily outdoor time, permission for group prayers, amended visitation rules, and more access to health care and education. said.
Number of government disputes related to hunger strikes
The Interior Ministry announced on Monday plans to double the daily outdoor time to two hours, extend family visiting hours and review phone charges starting on August 7, when the hunger strike began.
Bahraini authorities deny targeting rebels and say they are protecting national security. They said they would prosecute those who committed crimes in accordance with international law and rejected criticism of the conduct of trials and conditions of detention.
The government disputes that 800 prisoners are on hunger strike, and the General Directorate for Reform and Rehabilitation (GDRR) said in an emailed statement to Reuters that the number of detainees reported to be on hunger strike is “There were 121 people, and they said they were not participating at any point,” he said. 124 inches or more.
Bahrain was the only Gulf monarchy to face serious unrest during the Arab Spring protests, which continued in reduced numbers into 2013.
Since then, Bahrain has disbanded its main opposition group, indicted thousands in mass trials, and stripped hundreds of their citizenship. Many people fled the country.
Bahrain human rights activist Maryam al-Khawaja said her father, Abdulhadi, had been taken to intensive care twice since he began his hunger strike and was refused access to a cardiologist to treat his heart condition.
Another prisoner, Ahmed Jaafar, was isolated after starting his hunger strike and was hospitalized on August 27, his family said in a statement.
The government’s GDRR said striking prisoners were given access and opportunity to undergo daily medical examinations.
“None of the detainees participating in the protests required serious medical treatment or hospitalization. Any claims to the contrary are false,” the report said.
The United Nations Human Rights Office said it was ready to assess conditions in Bahrain’s prisons and advise authorities in line with international standards.
Report by Aziz El Yaakobi.Editing: Angus McDowall and Mark Heinrich
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