Bahraini Activist’s Daughter, Maryam Al-Khawaja, Defies King and Plans Return to Support Jailed Father
Watan – In a bold move that has caught the attention of human rights organizations worldwide, Maryam Al-Khawaja, daughter of the distinguished Bahraini human rights activist, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, has announced her intention to return to Bahrain. She is joined by a cohort of international activists this Friday, aiming to amplify calls for her father’s release from prison.
Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and a Danish national, is currently serving a life sentence for his role in pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in 2011. Maryam has expressed her concerns about her father’s deteriorating health, emphasizing his urgent need for medical treatment and highlighting his ongoing hunger strike.
In a video circulated on social media platforms, Maryam acknowledges the risks of her return, stating, “I know coming back means I might end up spending the rest of my life in prison.” Residing primarily in Denmark, she emphasizes her commitment to raising awareness about her father’s case.
Human rights groups have rallied behind Maryam, with figures like Agnes Callamard, the Secretary-General of Amnesty International, and Olaf Moor from Front Line Defenders expressing their support.
Zainab, another daughter of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, informed Reuters that her father resumed his hunger strike after authorities denied him a specific medical appointment. The Bahraini government, however, refuted claims of Abdulhadi’s hunger strike, asserting that he has repeatedly declined regular medical check-ups.
Tensions in Bahrain’s prisons have escalated amidst a strategic security and economic agreement between Washington and Manama. U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, confirmed the agreement would enhance defense and intelligence cooperation between the two nations.
