A coalition of 31 human rights organizations has called on the European Union (EU) to take immediate steps to press Bahrain for the release of two men, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad, who have been arbitrarily detained for nearly 14 years. The joint letter, issued on Friday, highlights the ongoing abuse these men have faced, including torture and the denial of medical care.
Al-Khawaja, a Danish-Bahraini human rights defender, and Al-Muqdad, a Swedish-Bahraini lawyer, were among many detained following Bahrain’s 2011 uprising, which demanded political reform and an end to systemic discrimination under the ruling Sunni Al-Khalifa family. Both men, along with other activists and opposition figures, were subjected to abuse by the Bahraini authorities during and after the protests.
The letter criticizes the EU’s recent Human Rights and Democracy 2023 report, which claimed Bahrain had improved its human rights record, especially in social, economic, and women’s rights. Human rights groups argue this characterization ignores the ongoing repression, including the torture of political opponents.
In response, the coalition urges the EU to engage directly with Bahrain’s leadership, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Al-Khawaja and Al-Muqdad. They also ask the EU to meet with the men or their families, in line with EU guidelines on supporting human rights defenders, and coordinate with Denmark and Sweden for coordinated diplomatic efforts. Furthermore, they stress the importance of ensuring accurate reporting on Bahrain’s human rights record, pushing for the abolition of the death penalty, and conducting human rights assessments before finalizing any future agreements with Bahrain.
The call underscores the continued need for international pressure on Bahrain to address long-standing human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and violations of basic freedoms.
