The imprisoned Bahraini rebel figure is said to have “severe damage” to his kidneys, according to his family and 16 human rights groups, but authorities have also given him further details as appropriate. They also do not provide treatment.
In a letter released on Monday, the organizations warned Bahrain’s King Hamad Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of the “grave threat” to Hassan Mushaima’s health. He asked for his immediate release.
“We respectfully urge you to secure his immediate and unconditional release, and in the meantime ensure that he receives appropriate medical care and has access to his medical records,” they wrote.
Mushaima, 75, a founding member of the now-defunct opposition party Al Wifaq, was convicted in a mass trial of leading anti-government protests and has been in prison since 2011, serving a life sentence.
During his years in prison, rights groups say Mushaima was repeatedly prevented from receiving the care he needed, even though he has several chronic illnesses and has been detained at a medical center since July 2021. He said that he has been affected by this.
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He had been waiting to see a specialist since March due to kidney problems. According to the family, doctors conducted tests on November 30 and found that Mushaima’s kidneys were so damaged that he may soon need dialysis.
But when Mushaima asked for more information, a doctor working for the Ministry of Health told Mushaima that his information could not be shared without permission from the Interior Ministry, the family said.
“We have been kept in the dark about my father’s condition and are forced to fear the worst,” said Mushaima’s son, Ali Mushaima, a UK-based Bahraini activist.
“The thought of being in your 70s and having to spend the rest of your life on dialysis while incarcerated is a nightmare.”
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Mushaima was admitted to a medical center because she has multiple medical conditions, including diabetes and fluctuating blood pressure.
Saeed Ahmed Alwaday, director of advocacy at the UK-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), said an alternative sentence for Mushaima, in which he would serve his sentence under house arrest, was announced in September 2021. It was proposed.
“He declined the offer,” Alwadai told Middle East Eye. “He thought this meant pleading guilty, but he refused.”
Mushaima said her days at the medical center were worse than solitary confinement, where she was kept in complete isolation except for family visits and was reportedly denied daylight.
“We have been kept in the dark about my father’s condition and are forced to fear the worst.”
– Ali Mushaima, Bahraini activist
Alwadai said not being able to access his medical information and not knowing whether he needs dialysis is a form of torture.
“I hope this is all wrong, but this is the torture that his family and he himself have to go through not knowing his fate,” Alwadai said.
Mr Alwadai also called on the UK government, which is funding the training of the institutions he claims are responsible for Mr Mushaima’s imprisonment, to “use its influence to demand his immediate and unconditional release”. Ta.
Nik Jafarnia, Bahrain and Yemen researcher at Human Rights Watch, said authorities have already “unjustly robbed Mushaima and his family of 12 years of their lives.”
“This 75-year-old man should be released immediately so that his deteriorating health condition can be managed in the comfort of his home,” she said.
MEE has contacted the Bahraini government for comment.