Abdulhadi al-Khawaja’s imprisonment
5.5.2021
Question for written answer E-002430/2021/rev.1
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Fulvio Martusciello (PPE)
9 April 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja’s arrest for organising a protest calling for political reforms. He is said to be one of the most prominent Bahraini human rights defenders and pro-democracy movement leaders.
Following the February 2011 uprising in Bahrain, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and nearly 100 other people were arrested. Later, he and other opposition leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Bahraini military court.
However, his followers and family have repeatedly stated that he is suffering as a result of unjustified confinement, torture and abuse. They are even more concerned about his fragile health and current situation in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are asking for his release.
- 1.Can the VP/HR obtain clarification on Abdulhadi al-Khawaja’s situation from neutral human rights agencies based in Bahrain?
- 2.Are the allegations being made by his relatives valid and if so, what measures can the VP/HR take in order to bring such human rights violations to an end?
- 3.Is there any mechanism to protect his wife and daughter from physical and sexual threats from security forces?