Dear Obama: Al-Khawaja Must Be Released Immediately

Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) joined 15 other organizations in penning a letter to President Barack Obama concerning the deteriorating health of human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The letter comes at a critical time for al-Khawaja, whose condition has been worsening each day, and who has recently been kept from visits from his lawyer and family. The letter explains al-Khawaja’s dire condition, and urges President Obama to make a public call for his immediate and unconditional release. ” We are deeply concerned about the health of human rights defender Abdulhadi al-Khawaja,” the letter reads, ” and respectfully request that the United States urge the Government of Bahrain to release al-Khawaja immediately, and allow him to travel abroad, including for medical treatment, if he wishes to do so.”

Click here for the full text of the letter

A similar letter was also sent to King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa by a group of individuals, citing the government’s promises to abide by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry’s recommendation to release political prisoners. “In the interests of justice and reconciliation in your country, we urgently and respectfully ask you to release Mr al-Khawaja immediately and unconditionally,” the letter read.