Since 2011, independent human rights organizations, including ADHRB, have reported numerous instances of torture and abuse in custody. Bahraini authorities persist in targeting and unfairly prosecuting their critics. Detainees experience physical and psychological torture, face medical neglect, and endure delays in receiving treatment as a form of retaliation, while also being threating their families.
A notable example of the systemic abuse of political prisoners is Hassan Mushaima, the former Vice President of the largest opposition group in Bahrain – Al-Wefaq Islamic Society – who has been imprisoned since 2011, serving a life sentence for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government amid the Bahrain pro-democratic uprising.
At 76 years old, he has endured significant maltreatment and medical negligence during his imprisonment, particularly since being placed in solitary confinement at the Kanoo Medical Center over three years ago.
His condition requires PET scans every six months to prevent relapse, something he has been repeatedly denied at different stages of his incarceration. Additionally, he suffers from diabetes, gout, heart problems and high blood pressure. For these and other health problems, Mushaima has been routinely denied medicine.
Although Mushaima’s health has deteriorated harshly due to the lack of appropriate medical care for multiple chronic conditions and the development of new symptoms, he has been denied access to necessary medications and regular medical follow-ups, even after specialists recommended it. Indeed, medical appointments have frequently been canceled without notice, he has sustained lasting injuries and he has been subjected to ill-treatment and degrading practices. For instance, prison authorities insist on shackling Mr Mushaima during transfers to medical visits, despite his frail state and old age. Thus, he has refused to go under these circumstances, considering it humiliating and unnecessary.
Throughout these years, Mr Mushaima’s family has continued to fight for his immediate and unconditional release and denounced the ill-treatment of political prisoners by Bahraini authorities. In January 2022, his son Ali Mushaima went on a 23-day hunger strike outside the Bahrain Embassy in London to call for the release of his father and denounce the lack of information that the authorities have provided about his health condition. However, their efforts have often been tackled from authorities, who have arrested family members during demonstrations.
Beyond that, Mr Mushaima was transferred to the Kanoo Medical Center in 2021 where he stayed in solitary confinement, being allowed to leave his room only twice a week for 30 minutes to exercise and get sunlight. During his isolation, he has been barred from participating in significant religious events, including the recent month of Muharram, and from communicating with other prisoners, violating his right to practice his religious beliefs freely and deepening his psychological and emotional isolation. Also, last July the administration removed the BBC Arabic channel from the channels available to Mr. Mushaima, further isolating him from the outside world.
As of 2024, Mushaima’s health issues persist, including severe leg swelling and knee pain and complications from diabetes and nerve issues in both his hands. Adequate medical attention and access to specialists are continuously denied, making daily activities such as getting out of bed or performing prayers a challenge. Also, he is still in isolation at the Kanoo Medical Center and his access to regular PET scans continues to be refused.
Despite a recommendation from a doctor to consult a specialist, he needs to have the Ministry of Interior’s approval, for which he is still waiting, further worsening his condition. Moreover, prison authorities have recently increased restrictions on Mr. Mushaima’s access to basic foods like dates, biscuits, and milk. Indeed, these items – previously allowed – now require prior approval following submitted requests and administrative orders, which is often delayed or denied. Therefore, he can only rely on what his family can provide for food and health products.
The case of Mr Mushaima has sparked international concern and attention towards Bahrain’s deplorable human rights record. The United Nations made five separate requests between 2011 and 2019 for improved medical care, while in 2021 the European Union expressed its concern on the matter. In November 2023, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined Mushaima’s detention to be arbitrary, calling for his immediate and unconditional release, along with an investigation into the violations of his rights. Despite this, the Bahraini authorities have not complied with the demands and Mr Mushaima continues to suffer from untreated chronic diseases and remains deprived of necessary medical interventions.
Hasan Mushaima’s situation exemplifies the ongoing human rights abuses faced by political prisoners in Bahrain, highlighting the intersection of political dissent and medical neglect within the country’s prison system.
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) calls on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Hassan Mushaima. ADHRB also requests that Mr Mushaima’s medical needs be regularly met and demands the psychological pressure and punitive measures implemented against their family to end. ADHRB urges the Bahraini government to investigate claims of arbitrary arrest, torture, isolation, and medical neglect and to safeguard the human rights of prisoners as set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. ADHRB further warns of Mr Mushaima’s deteriorating health condition resulting from years of dangerous medical neglect and urges the Kanoo Medical Center administration to urgently provide him with appropriate and necessary medical treatment and to end his isolation and urgently provide him, holding it responsible for any further deterioration in his health. Finally, ADHRB highlights the need to guarantee freedom of association, the right to demonstrate, the establishment of an independent judiciary, and the right to fair trial.
