Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) sent a letter to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British Government on behalf of Bahraini political prisoner Ali Haji, based on a statement Haji had sent to the BIRD earlier this month.

Haji called on the British Foreign Office to use its influence to pressure the relevant authorities in Bahrain so that he could receive appropriate medical care and visitation rights.

In the letter, Haji explained the damage done to his mental and physical health, the time he spent away from his family and the torture he suffered at the Criminal Investigation Directorate, noting that he had stopped a 26-day hunger strike after receiving a promise from the prison official, Turki Al-Jowder, to put an end to his suffering. He; however, stressed that those promises never materialized.

Haji had been held in solitary confinement, as well as human rights defender Naji Fateel, since November 12. This came in the wake of a voice recording on Twitter, in which he spoke of torture and lack of access to appropriate medical care, in addition to a letter sent by 20 British MPs to the British Foreign Office, which included reference to his case.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy condemned the reprisals and urged the Bahraini authorities to immediately release Ali Haji and Naji Fateel.

Arabic Version