Some 15 Bahraini prisoners observe food strike

Two human rights organization on Friday said that more than 15 "human right" prisoners in Bahrain announced since several days a food strike demanding improving of their detention conditions.

Bahrain's center for human rights and Bahrain's society for human rights said that more than 15 prisoners were taken from Jao prison on Thursday to receive medical treatment following a deterioration in their health condition due to the food strike they held since three to four days. The local press confirmed the occurrence of this food strike and explained that the prisoners were taken to two hospitals in Manama to receive necessary medical aid before returning back to prison.

The two organizations explained the two prisoners continued the food strike and called for meeting with their representatives.

The two organizations announced they are still waiting for the consent of the ministry of the interior to permit the prisoners representatives to visit them.

In February 2001, the authorities in Bahrain stressed that the country's prisons are free from any political prisoner.

Following his assumption of authority in March 1999 in succession of his father, the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa pardoned hundreds of political detainees in shifts. Those people were jailed because of their involvement in acts of violence resulted in killing of 38 persons between 1994- 1999.