On 17 March 2026, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, under the General Debate of Item 4. The organization issued an urgent warning regarding the immediate threat to the lives of opposition leaders and human rights defenders detained in Bahrain, amid their prolonged arbitrary detention and deteriorating health conditions due to ongoing medical neglect. ADHRB stressed that the escalating regional war, including strikes targeting sites in Bahrain, has further heightened their vulnerability and placed their lives at serious risk. The organization called for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as ensuring their safety and access to urgent medical care.

We raise the Council’s concern over the serious risks to the lives and well-being of prominent elderly imprisoned Bahraini opposition leaders and human rights defenders amid the current regional conflict and instability.

Despite their advanced age and deteriorating health, they have remained arbitrarily detained for 15 years and subjected to serious medical neglect. 78-year-old opposition leader Hasan Mushaima suffers from multiple chronic illnesses and has recently experienced severe health deterioration, raising grave concerns for his life. Similarly, human rights defenders AbdulHadi AlKhawaja and Dr. AbdulJalil AlSingace continue to endure prolonged imprisonment and medical neglect despite their worsening health.

These concerns are further intensified by the ongoing war in the Middle East. Recent Iranian missile and drone strikes have targeted sites in Bahrain amid escalating confrontation following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, placing these prominent prisoners’ lives at serious risk.

We call on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release these prominent opposition leaders and human rights defenders and ensure their safety and access to adequate medical care.

The post ADHRB at #HRC61 Warns of Imminent Danger to Prisoners of Conscience in Bahrain Amid Escalating Regional War appeared first on Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain.

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