Protests in Bahrain demanding the release of political prisoners, who are on hunger strike at Jau Prison.
Fri 18 August 2023:
Hundreds of prisoners locked up in Bahrain have initiated a hunger strike citing alleged human rights violations, a UK-based rights group has revealed.
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said Friday (August 18), “At least 500 prisoners were taking part in the hunger strike against what they call inhumane prison conditions.”
As per the group, prison inmates are confined to their cells 23 hours a day and are even restricted from practising their religion.
At the centre of the controversy is the Jau prison, where those dissidents are held who were detained following the pro-democracy protests in 2011.
BAHRAIN PRISONERS ON HUNGER STRIKE DEMANDING BETTER CONDITIONS
The hunger strike began on August 9 and has escalated as more inmates join the movement.
A statement released by the outlawed Bahraini opposition party Al-Wefaq quoted the prisoners as saying that they needed increased time outside the cells.
Other demands include permission to hold prayers in congregation at the prison mosque, changes to constraints on family visits and improvements in education facilities.
“These are not frivolous demands, but necessary ones required for basic human life,” the prisoners said.
Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US State Department said, “We are aware of and concerned on the reports of this hunger strike … We urge Bahrain to continue to make progress on criminal justice reforms and ensure human rights standards are upheld.”
Observers argue that the ruling monarchy in Bahrain heavily relies on their Western allies, particularly the US, and successive US administrations have contributed to the Bahraini regime’s unchecked human rights violations by not exerting pressure on the government.
During the initial suppression of the 2011 uprising, Bahrain faced criticism from the US, leading former President Barack Obama to enforce a four-year arms embargo.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
______________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
