On 12th September 2024, ECDHR and other NGOs delivered an intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 57 under item 2 during the General debate. ECDHR demanded immediate release of opposition leaders and human rights defenders.

We draw the Council’s attention to the ongoing detention of elderly Bahraini opposition leaders and human rights defenders, imprisoned since 2011 for their peaceful opposition.

Despite three recent royal pardons, none of these have included opposition leaders or prominent rights defenders.

Notably, members of the “Bahrain 13” group remain imprisoned. Among them is 76-year-old opposition leader Hasan Mushaima, serving a life sentence since 2011. He faces serious health challenges, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart complications, and kidney issues. Despite UN experts’ pleas, he continues to suffer life-threatening medical neglect.

Another member, 62-year-old human rights defender Dr. AbdulJalil AlSingace, has been serving a life sentence since 2011. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has declared his detention arbitrary. Dr. AlSingace has faced prolonged solitary confinement and denial of essential medical care, leading him to undertake a solid food hunger strike for over 1,200 days.

In addition, many elderly imprisoned opposition leaders, including AbdulHadi AlKhawaja, continue to endure medical neglect.

We call on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all elderly opposition leaders and prominent human rights defenders.