BBC Reveals Bahraini Prisoners on Hunger Strike for Two Weeks
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, the Arabic website 21, quoting BBC, announced that more than 90 political and ideological prisoners in Bahrain’s notorious Jau prison, specifically in buildings 2 and 12, have launched a hunger strike.
This source noted that this is not the first time such a strike has taken place at this facility.Previously,inmates have staged protests largely demanding improved detention conditions or unconditional release.
Since 2011, following widespread public protests against Bahraini rule, there has been an extensive crackdown on Shia communities. Many Shia political activists have been imprisoned on fabricated charges or even simply for social media posts. The recent wave of protests inside jau Prison-reserved for political and ideological detainees-began in mid-October when prisoners sent letters to prison authorities demanding “their right to freedom.”
after these demands were ignored, detainees initially refused their morning meals and then declined dinner. Ultimately, starting October 14th, they began an open-ended hunger strike.
An anonymous prisoner stated that the hunger strike is now entering it’s second week with around 90 participants. Some inmates’ health has severely deteriorated; blood sugar levels among several have dropped dangerously low.A number of prisoners lost consciousness and required ambulance transport to hospitals.
The prisoner added: “We continue our protest and raise our voices from inside these cells to defend our long-awaited right to freedom.”
He also mentioned that some detainees have been imprisoned since the Arab Spring events of 2011. Several prisoners have spent nearly fifteen years behind bars without any prospect of release.
The inmate further revealed that over their years of detention they endured torture, medical neglect, rationing of water, electricity and ventilation as well as reduced food portions-conditions which led to the death of some fellow inmates.
