Bahrain: After tear gas and jobs, medical care is weaponised

The health of one of the most prominent leaders of Bahrain’s Revolution had deteriorated because of ill-treatment and repression by Alkhalifa ruling family. Abdul Wahab Hussain, 59, is suffering from chronic paresthesia (tingling and numbness) affecting his nerves and has difficulty moving. He is sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in calling for fundamental political reforms. Two other senior figures also suffer from serious illnesses but receive no real medical treatment. Hassan Mushaima, 65, had been treated for Cancer but received no remission treatment since his arrest in March 2011. Dr Abdul Jalil Al Singace suffers from Polio since birth but has also developed heart problems and high blood pressure. They are all denied suitable medical treatment. When international pressure mounts on them they take them to the clinic but no further treatment is given afterwards unless more pressure is mounted. Today Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action [1] which said: “Prisoner of conscience ‘Abdelwahab Hussain, one of the 13 jailed prominent Bahraini opposition activists, needs urgent access to specialised medical treatment. His health condition has deteriorated and his family’s last scheduled visit to the prison was cancelled without explanation.” AI also called for the immediate and unconditional release of Bahrain 13; the jailed leaders of the Revolution.

Denying detainees the necessary medical care is being used as a weapon by the Alkhalifa against Bahrainis. On 5th November Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action [2] on the case of Hussain Hubail and Hassan Sudayf. Both are charged with, among other thins, using social media networks to incite hatred of the regime and calling on people to ignore the law. Hussain Hubail has a heart condition and he fears he is not receiving adequate medical treatment. His health has deteriorated since his detention and he suffers from shortness of breath and frequently loses consciousness. He has been given medication by the prison clinic and was taken at least once before to hospital. However he told his family that his medication is being given to him randomly and he does not know what the medication is. Amnesty called for their immediate release, grating them access to medical treatment and investing their torture ordeals.

Meanwhile the regime’s kangaroo courts have been in full swing, issuing lengthy jail sentences against activists and protesters, some of whom are children. Hussain Ali [3], 15, has been sentence to two years imprisonment charged with taking parts in illegal gathering and protesting against the ruling family.

Concern is mounting for the plight of Ahmad Jum’a [4], from Al Malikiya, who had been snatched by members of Death Squads two weeks ago. No news have been received about him and his family is seriously worried about his condition.

The STOP THE SHIPMENT [5] campaign against the supply by South Korea of more than 1.6 million chemical and tear gas canisters to Alkhalifa has continued unabated. South Korean activists have joined the campaign with protests and letter writing to demand an immediate halt to the shipments. In London, protesters stood for two hours [6] outside Downing Street yesterday to call for cancellation of the deal. South Korean Prime Minister had a two hours meeting with UK’s Prime Minister and was surprised to see protesters challenging her decision to export these lethal weapons to Bahrain where more than 60 people have been killed with those gases.
AS the first anniversary of the revocation of the Bahraini nationality of 31 Bahraini natives approached, a Press Conference was held at the House of Lords on Tuesday 5th November. Lord Avebury invited the Press cover the proceedings of the Conference which was addressed by human rights experts, victims and international law experts. Letters were sent to world leaders calling on them to take action against the rogue regime of the Alkhalifa who has weaponised every aspect of society, including nationality, jobs and medical care.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
8th November 2013

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1 http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/055/2013/en

2 http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/054/2013/en

3 https://twitter.com/byshr/status/397704419661611008

4 https://twitter.com/SAIDYOUSIF/status/397645608233992192

5 http://stoptheshipment.org

6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6SPK5AOkVY