Bahrain: Teacher leader on hunger strike

Mahdi Abu Dheeb, the imprisoned president of Bahrain's Teachers’ Association, has begun a hunger strike to protest about his unfair detention and continued ill-treatment in prison.

Due to his poor physical health, a result of the deplorable conditions under which he is being detained, this hunger strike will quickly endanger his life. EI has received recent information confirming the serious deterioration in his wellbeing from a colleague who was released after sharing the same prison cell with Abu Dheeb.

Second hunger strike

Abu Dheeb has now been detained for more than nine months. This is his second hunger strike – his first was in September 2011, when he demanded his release and that all charges against him be dropped. His next appeal hearing is scheduled on 19 February at the Manama appeal court.

Abu Dheeb is appealing the decision of the military National Safety Court that, in September, sentenced him to ten years imprisonment, for unwarranted accusations, including inciting others to commit crimes, calling for hatred and overthrow of the ruling system, leaving work on purpose and encouraging others to do so and taking part in illegal gathering.

The Bahraini Teachers’ Association’s strong involvement in the peaceful protests of March 2011 led to a crackdown where teachers and trade unionists became subjected to arbitrary arrests, military prosecution, investigation, suspensions, dismissals, salary cuts and torture.

EI is extremely concerned for the safety and health of Mahdi Abu Dheeb and calls once more on the Bahraini government to release him immediately and drop all the charges against him unconditionally.