IRCT warns Bahraini government of imminent danger to Al-Khawaja’s life

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims has today sent an open letter to the government of Bahrain warning them of the imminent risk of death Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is now facing

The Executive Committee of the IRCT, representing the global membership of over 140 torture rehabilitation centres worldwide, call on the Bahraini government to immediately release Mr Al-Khawaja for appropriate treatment. Mr Al-Khawaja, on his 72nd day of hunger strike, is now only drinking water. Earlier this month, Dr Joost den Otter, IRCT’s Clinical Director, visited Mr Al-Khawaja and filed a report on his condition including recommendations to the government of Bahrain.

Dr den Otter is now deeply worried by recent developments:

“Having heard that Mr Al-Khawaja is now only taking water I am deeply concerned. If this situation continues his life will be in danger in the very near future. I can’t speculate as to exactly when, but, having been on hunger strike already for 72 days, death could occur within a matter of days.”

Having noted Dr den Otter’s concerns, the Executive Committee of the IRCT, representing the global membership of over 140 torture rehabilitation centres worldwide, call on the Bahraini government to immediately release Mr Al-Khawaja for appropriate treatment.

The open letter to the government of Bahrain is available here.