Activists Begin Hunger Strike Protesting Tougher Laws

Bahraini detainees and human rights activists convicted of involvement in anti-government demonstrations have begun a hunger strike today. The 14 prominent activists and opposition leaders began the strike “in solidarity with pro-democracy protests and in protest against the brutal crackdown,” said the leader of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), Mohammed al-Maskati.  The hunger strike was initiated in protest of Bahrain’s interior minister, Lt. Gen. Sheik Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa,  who called for punishments that could bring up to 15 years in prison for an attack on security personnel or their families. Al-Khalifa said, “my responsibility is to call for the strengthening of laws protecting police as there are no deterrent laws so far.”

Mohammed Yaaqub, an eighteen-year-old protester, has reportedly died while in custody after being detained following clashes with security forces. Mater Mater, a leading opposition figure and former member of parliament, said Yaaqub was chased by police and his body “was stuck between two [police] cars that were following him …  instead of receiving the necessary medical treatment, the police took him to the yard opposite Sitra police station where he was tortured.”

Elsewhere, Amnesty International urged Bahraini authorities to release Fadhila Mubarak from custody. Mubarak’s sentence of 18 months was upheld for demonstrating and listening to “revolutionary” songs. ”The Bahraini authorities must release her immediately and unconditionally,” said Hassiba Hadj-Sahraoui, a deputy director within Amnesty International.