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hunger strike

Bahrain: UPDATE - Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and 13 other prisoners start hunger strikeposted on: 2012/01/30

On 29 January 2012 human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and 13 other prisoners, including prisoners of conscience and human rights defender Abduljalil Al Singace, started an open-ended hunger strike to protest against the arbitrary arrest of peaceful protesters and continued human rights violations in Bahrain.

Cuba: Human rights defender Mr Wilman Villar Mendoza dies following 50-day hunger strikeposted on: 2012/01/23

Front Line Defenders is deeply saddened by news received of the death of human rights defender Mr Wilman Villar Mendoza who died on 18 January 2012 in hospital in Santiago de Cuba following 50 days on hunger strike.

Cuba: Update – Human rights defenders Ms Ivonne Malleza Galano and Mr Ignacio Martínez Montejo resume hunger strikeposted on: 2011/12/13

On 12 December 2011, human rights defenders, and husband and wife, Ms Ivonne Malleza Galano and Mr Ignacio Martínez Montejo resumed their hunger strikes in protest at their continued detention.

UAE: Update - Five detained human rights defenders plan hunger strikeposted on: 2011/11/11

Five human rights defenders who have been in detention in the United Arab Emirates since April 2011 have announced their intention to commence a hunger strike on 13 November 2011.

Sudan: Update – Human rights defender Bushra Gamar Hussein Rahma resumes hunger strike as authorities delay his releaseposted on: 2011/10/17

Mr Bushra Gamar Hussein Rahma has resumed his hunger strike due to the failure of the Sudanese authorities to fulfil their agreement to release him or bring him to trial by 10 October 2011.

Sudan: Update – Human rights defender Bushra Gamar Hussein Rahma ends hunger strike, receives family visitposted on: 2011/10/11

Mr Bushra Gamar Hussein Rahma agreed to lift his hunger strike on 29 September 2011 in exchange for the pledge given by the authorities that he would be released or brought to trial by 10 October. Mr Rahma, who had been held in incommunicado detention since his arrest on 25 June 2011, was visited by his family on 7 October 2011 at the National Security Intelligence Service Section in Kober Prison in Khartoum North.

Bahrain: Concern mounts for welfare of prisoners denied medical treatment as punishment for their hunger strikeposted on: 2011/10/10

Front Line Defenders is outraged at the refusal of the prison authorities in Bahrain to provide medical treatment for human rights defenders and political activists currently on the 12th day of their hunger strike. The prisoners include former Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and are demanding the release of all women political prisoners in Bahrain.

Bahrain: Concern mounts for welfare of prisoners denied medical treatment as punishment for their hunger strikeposted on: 2011/10/06

Front Line Defenders is outraged at the refusal of the prison authorities in Bahrain to provide medical treatment for human rights defenders and political activists currently on the 12th day of their hunger strike. The prisoners include former Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and are demanding the release of all women political prisoners in Bahrain.

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As the hunger strike enters its 12th day Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned at the deteriorating health of some of the prisoners. One prisoner was told by the prison guards that the denial of medical treatment was punishment for them going on hunger strike.

The 13 prisoners are taking tea and water only and are demanding the release of all women political prisoners in Bahrain.

The failure to provide medical care for the prisoners on hunger strike is in breach of all international standards for the fair treatment of prisoners.

Front Line Defenders is calling on Professor Cherif Bassiouni and the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry to intervene directly with the Bahraini authorities to ensure compliance with international law.

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Front Line Defenders welcomes news that the 12 health professionals who have been on hunger strike in Bahrain for almost two weeks will be released tonight.posted on: 2011/09/07

Front Line Defenders welcomes news that the 12 health professionals who have been on hunger strike in Bahrain for almost two weeks will be released tonight. "Not before Time" says Front Line Executive Director Mary Lawlor.

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NEWS FLASH FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DUBLIN -O7- 09- 2011

Welcoming the release of the doctors Front Line Executive Director Mary Lawlor said “ Not before time - It is a travesty of justice that health professionals who had simply honoured their hippocratic oath by providing emergency medical treatment to injured demonstrators should be arrested, tortured and tried before a military court.

Bahrain: Jalila Al Salman and Rula Al Saffar go on hunger strike in protest at ongoing torture and ill treatment in custodyposted on: 2011/08/03

Front Line is deeply concerned for the safety and well being of Mrs Jalila Al Salman, vice president of the Bahrain Teachers's Society and Mrs. Rula Al Saffar Assistant Professor at the College of Health Sciences and the Head of Bahrain Nursing Society, following reports received to day that they have gone on hunger strike in protest at their continuing torture and ill treatment while in custody.

Further Information

There had been hopes that they would at least be released on trial pending the transfer of their trial to civilian courts to mark the start of Ramadan but so far there has been no improvement in their situation.

Jalila al-Salman Vice President of the Bahrain Teachers Association (BTA) is among several board members of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) arrested in Manama after the group called for a teachers’ strike amid wide-scale pro-reform protests in March.

Prisoners who had been held in custody with her and then released have spoken of how she was particularly targeted for torture and ill treatment.