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

The leadership of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims* have today sent an open letter to the government of Bahrain warning them of the imminent risk of death Abdulhadi Abdulla Al-Khawaja is now facing as a result of their policies.

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.

Media contacts
Miriam Reventlow, IRCT Head of Advocacy & Legal Team
Email: mr@irct.org
Tel: +45 26 50 34 33

Note to Editors
* Leadership of the IRCT includes:
Mr Mohamud Nurein Said, IRCT President, Kenya
Mr Jorge Aroche, Pacific, IRCT Vice-President, Australia
Ms Loreine dela Cruz, IRCT Executive Committee Member, The Philippines
Ms Simona Ruy-Perez, IRCT Executive Committee Member, Chile
Ms Brita Sydhoff, IRCT Secretary-General

About the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims is an independent non-profit global organisation with a membership of 144 rehabilitation centres in 73 countries and with over 25 years' experience.

The work of the IRCT is threefold:
• Rehabilitation of torture victims and their families
• Ensuring victims' access to justice
• Eradication of torture