Maryam Al Khawaja was on British soil for a visit to Bahrain, where she had vowed to pressure Bahraini authorities to release her detained father, Danish-Bahraini human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. Amnesty International Frontline Defenders and ActionAid Denmark have announced today that they have been banned from boarding Airways flights.
She was accompanied by a delegation of leading figures from three human rights organizations. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International; Olive Moore and Andrew Anderson, current and former directors of Frontline Defenders; and Timothy White, executive director of ActionAid Denmark, were all refused check-in to the plane.
Reacting to the news, Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard said:
“The decision to prevent Maryam Al Khawaja and the human rights delegation accompanying her from traveling to Bahrain is a shameless attempt by the Bahraini authorities to prevent people from speaking out about human rights violations in the country. This move clearly shows the authorities’ complete disregard for international human rights standards, contrary to the attitude exhibited by the Crown Prince of Bahrain during his visit to Washington DC yesterday.
said Olive Moore, Executive Director of Frontline Defenders.
“Maryam Al-Khawaja risked her freedom to champion the cause of her ailing father and other human rights defenders, only to once again face the Bahraini authorities’ contempt for human rights and the rule of law. It is completely unjust that they denied Maryam the fundamental right to freedom of movement, including the right to return to her home country.”
Agnès Callamard added: “For 12 long years, Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has been arbitrarily detained simply for peacefully exercising his human rights.” In the face of this, Bahraini authorities have repeatedly denied him the essential medical care he so desperately needs. He, along with 11 other Bahraini prisoners of conscience languishing in prison, is immediately and unconditionally released. This farce of justice must stop.”
For 12 years, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has been arbitrarily detained simply for peacefully exercising his human rights. In the face of his serious health concerns, Bahraini authorities have repeatedly denied him the essential medical care he desperately needs. He must be released immediately and unconditionally, along with 11 other Bahraini prisoners of conscience languishing in prison. This farcical justice must stop. ”
Agnès Callamard, Executive Director of Amnesty International
Tim White, Executive Director of ActionAid Denmark, said: “Today’s events must galvanize supporters of the Danish and Bahrain governments in the international community to take decisive action to protect human rights.” said. No effort should be spared to secure the immediate release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. The Danish government must use all diplomatic means to put pressure on the Bahraini authorities, including publicly condemning Abdulhadi’s detention and demanding his release. ”
background
Abdulhadi al-Khawaja has been a prisoner of conscience since 2011, when Bahrain detained him for spearheading political protests against the monarchy during the Arab Spring. His arrest was accompanied by torture and caused his health to deteriorate with chronic pain. For the past two years, he has also suffered from glaucoma and arrhythmia.
He was documented as torture case no. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, a watchdog set up by King Hamad al-Khalifa in the wake of mass protests in 2011, found that the authorities had failed to properly comply, including canceling hospital appointments and subjecting people to inhumane transport conditions. treatment is being refused.
In solidarity with other inmates at Joe Central Prison, Abdulhadi started a fasting protest on August 9, 2023, consuming only very small amounts of liquids, such as juice or milk, up to once a day. .
The protest was part of a month-long hunger strike by hundreds of prisoners demanding better conditions, including more visitor access and proper medical care. Fasting worsened his heart condition and he was hospitalized twice.
On September 11, 2023, prisoners called off a major hunger strike in response to an agreement by prison management to improve conditions in the coming weeks, but on September 13, 2023, prisoners called off a mass hunger strike that the prison had scheduled. After canceling his eye doctor’s appointment, Abdulhadi resumed his own fast.
Mariam Al-Khawaja, who holds both Bahraini and Danish nationality, announced her plans to travel to Bahrain on social media on September 7th. Bahraini authorities this week canceled a visit by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, scheduled to assess the situation in the country, the day before it was scheduled to arrive.
In solidarity with her trip, she was joined by members of three human rights organizations. Olive Moore and Andrew Anderson, current and former directors of Frontline Defenders; and Timothy White, executive director of ActionAid Denmark.