Contents
Summary
Act now and write to your foreign ministry in support of popular Muslim political prisoners who have been arrested in Bahrain.
Background
In Bahrain we have seen a popular movement brutally crushed by the oppressive monarchy with the help of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2011. This resulted in mass arrests and horrific reports of torture.
We have provided a short analysis of two prisoners for whom we are campaigning below.
Hasan Mushaima, 76, was arrested on 17th March 2011 during the Pearl Revolution in Bahrain, shortly after returning to Bahrain and stating that the “The dictator fell in Tunisia, the dictator fell in Egypt and the dictator should fall here.” He has now been held for thirteen years after being sentenced to life in prison on 22nd June 2011, where he has been denied access to healthcare that he desperately needs. He is in remission for cancer, as well as suffering from various chronic diseases. Despite the ill-treatment of Mushaima, which has resulted in him losing a tooth, suffering swelling in the knees, and the loss of hearing in his right ear, he has not been broken, and in 2021 declined an offer of a conditional release.
Prominent disabled opposition activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace has been on hunger strike for three years, since 8 July 2021. He was first arrested on 13th August 2010 were after being tortured lost the ability to hear from his left ear. He was later released but was then re-arrested on 17th March 2011 and was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly “plotting to topple” the government. Dr al-Singace has been denied urgently needed medical diagnoses and treatment for various issues. These medical conditions include failing eyesight, and both an inflamed shoulder and hip. He is now being held in a hospital facility due to his hunger strike, and is now suffering vertigo, shivering and fatigue. He is kept in solitary confinement, only allowed out his room 3 times a week for phone calls, each for a maximum of only 10 minutes long.
Requested Action
We are making two requests
- Write to your ministry of foreign affairs, to demand that they pressure these regimes to release these prisoners. (Template letter below)
- Look at our previous work and reports on Bahrain here
Model Letter
Dear [INSERT NAME],
Re: Hasan Mushaima & Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace
I am writing to you with a deep concern about the situation in Bahrain, and the arrest of activists Hasan Mushaima and Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace. Mushaima and al-Singace, who are now 76 and 62 respectively, were imprisoned in 2011 during the Pearl Revolution in Bahrain, Mushaima under the charge of saying “The dictator fell in Tunisia, the dictator fell in Egypt and the dictator should fall here.” Al-Singace was arrested for allegedly “plotting to topple” the government.
Hasan Mushaima has been held for thirteen years for his support of the popular opposition in Bahrain. Since being arrested he has been denied access to healthcare that he desperately needs. He is in remission for cancer, as well as suffering from various chronic diseases. Alongside these his ill-treatment has resulted in him losing a tooth, suffering swelling in the knees, and the loss of hearing in his right ear. Despite the ill-treatment of Mushaima.
Al-Singace has also been arrested and tortured, resulting in loss of hearing in his left ear. He has been denied urgently needed medical diagnoses and treatment for various issues, including failing eyesight, and both an inflamed shoulder and hip. He is now being held in a hospital facility due to his hunger strike, and is now suffering vertigo, shivering and fatigue. He is kept in solitary confinement, only allowed out his room 3 times a week for phone calls, each for a maximum of only 10 minutes long.
In the past our country has shown itself to back brutal dictatorships, such as the al-Khalifa family in Bahrain, and the al-Saud family whose army invaded and kept the al-Khalifas in power. We ask therefore that you demand the release of Hasan Mushaima and Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace from prison.
Yours sincerely,
[If posting, your signature]
[Your name]
Addresses
United Kingdom:
Rt. Hon David Lammy
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom
Alternatively, you can email her at fcocorrespondence@fco.gov.uk
Canada,
The Honourable Melany Joly
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
K1A 0A6
Alternatively, you can email her at melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca
Australia,
Penny Wong
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton ACT 0221 Australia
Alternatively, you can contact her online at this link
The Seychelles:
Louis Sylvestre Radegonde
P.O. Box 656
Maison Quéau de Quinssy
Mont Fleuri,
Mahé,
Seychelles
Alternatively, you can email him at ps@mfa.gov.sc
Denmark:
Lars Løkke Rasmussen
Asiatisk Plads 2
DK-1448
Copenhagen
CVR nr. 43271911
Alternatively, you can email him at udenrigsministeren@um.dk
United States:
Antony Blinken
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington,
DC 20500
Alternatively, you can contact him online at this link
