Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli Detained - February 2014
On 24 February 2014, Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli was chased by state security cars and then taken to state security headquarters, where he remains in detention.
On 17 March 2014, Abdulhakim commenced a hunger strike, following the renewal of his pre-trial detention on charges of 'inciting rebellion', 'calling for illegal gatherings' 'assaulting police officers' and 'damaging police vehicles'.
On 10 April 2014, Abdulhakim was released after almost two months of detention, during which he reported being subjected to torture.
Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli is a member of the Bedoun community in Kuwait. The term Bedoun, meaning 'without' in Arabic, refers to the community of stateless persons, native to Kuwait, who are prohibited from obtaining any official state documents including, but not limited to birth, death or marriage certificates. They constitute approximately 180,000 of Kuwait's population.
On 10 April 2014, human rights defender and Bedoun community activist Mr Abdulhakim Al Fadhli was released after almost two months of detention, during which he reported being subjected to torture.
As a result of the torture, the human rights defender commenced a hunger strike.
Abdulhakim Al Fadhli was released on bail and is due to stand trial on 13 May 2014 on charges of "inciting Bedouns in Kuwait to protest and cause chaos."
Abdulhakim Al Fadhli was detained on 24 February 2014, and reports that he was tortured during this period at the state security headquarters in Kuwait city. He was beaten and had his head covered with plastic bags in order to obstruct his breathing. In addition, he was subjected to verbal abuse and threats of rape. Abdulhakim Al Fadhli has notified the court of this ill-treatment, but no investigation has been ordered.
On 17 March 2014, human rights defender and Bedoun activist Mr Abdulhakim Al Fadhli commenced a hunger strike, following the renewal of his pre-trial detention on charges of 'inciting rebellion', 'calling for illegal gatherings' 'assaulting police officers' and 'damaging police vehicles'.
The detention order was extended by a week. As the trial date has not been set, it is expected that it might be further extended.
Abdulhakim Al Fadhli has been detained since 24 February 2014 at the state security headquarters in Kuwait city. Since his arrest, there are reports that Abdulhakim Al Fadhli was subjected to torture and ill treatment for four days while in detention. It is alleged that he was beaten, had his head covered with plastic bags in order to obstruct his breathing, as well as being subjected to verbal abuse and threats of rape. The human rights defender and several other Bedoun detainees released a statement calling for the charges against them to be dropped on the basis that they are fabricated, and denouncing having been subjected to torture and ill treatment in detention.
On 24 February 2014, human rights defender Mr Abdulhakim Al Fadhli was chased by state security cars and then taken to state security headquarters, where he remains in detention.
Earlier that day, human rights defenders Mr Nawaf Al Hendal and Ms Hadil Abo Qoreis were summonsed via news broadcasts to appear before state security investigations service. Abdulhakim Al Fadhli had also been unofficially informed of a summons against him.
All three human rights defenders actively advocate for the rights of members of the Bedoun community in Kuwait. The term Bedoun, meaning 'without' in Arabic, refers to the community of stateless persons, native to Kuwait, who are prohibited from obtaining any official state documents including, but not limited to birth, death or marriage certificates. They constitute approximately 180,000 of Kuwait's population.
On 24 February 2014, it is reported that state security cars, while chasing Abdulhakim Al Fadhli, intentionally collided several times with his vehicle before their drivers arrested the human rights defender and placed him in detention. Pictures of his car following the chase show signs of heavy collision and significant damage. The human rights defender has thus far not been granted access to legal counsel and there are now legitimate concerns for his safety and health.
The summonsing of Nawaf Al Hendal and Hadil Abo Qoreis, reportedly on charges of “inciting Bedouns in Kuwait to protest and invoke chaos”, comes in the context of recent demonstrations by the Bedoun community. The protests coincide with the commemorations of the anniversary of 2011 demonstrations, and were also instigated by the arrest of Bedoun activist Abdullah Atallah who was chased down by state security cars and arrested on 19 February 2014.
Abdulhakim Al Fadhli has been repeatedly targeted by the Kuwaiti government for his advocacy for the stateless community. In January 2013 he was arrested and sentenced to two years imprisonment for allegedly attacking a police man while carrying out his duties. He was acquitted in March 2013 and released. Front Line Defenders has issued a previous appeal on the targeting of Bedoun human rights defenders in Kuwait.
