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Mary Lawlor of Frontline Defenders in front of the banner bearing Abdulhadi's image on Earlsfort Terrace/St Stephen's Green Frontline Defenders

The story behind the giant banner on St Stephen's Green

You may have seen the picture of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja – but do you know why a three-storey-high banner of him is hanging from a building in the centre of Dublin?

IF YOU HAVE been on St Stephen’s Green recently in Dublin, you will have noticed the giant banner covering three stories of the corner building at Earlsfort Terrace.

The banner bears the legend – FREE ABDULHADI – and carried the picture of a smiling man, along with details of his detainment in a Bahrain prison. While you may have passed the banner many times, you may not know much of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. EOIN LYNCH tells his story and explains the links between Bahrain and the western world:

“He is a gentle and calm man, dedicated to protecting the human rights of others”: this is how Mary Lawlor of Frontline Defenders describes her former colleague Abdulhadi Al Khawaja who is now serving a life sentence in Bahrain for “organising and managing a terrorist organisation” and “attempt(ing) to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organisation working for a foreign country”.

Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is the co-founder and former president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and a member of the International Advisory Network in the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, which is chaired by Mary Robinson. Abdulhadi has worked regularly with both Frontline Defenders and Amnesty International within the Middle East.

In February of 2011, he based himself at home in Bahrain where he became involved in pro-democracy demonstrations. On 8 April 2011, the Bahraini police arrested Abdulhadi at home; during the arrest he sustained several injuries including a broken jaw. He was taken to the MoI military hospital in Manama where he was blindfolded and cuffed to his bed for seven days. He was then moved to Al Qurain Prison where he was placed in the solitary confinement of a 2.5-metre x 2-metre cell, and according to the Bahrain Independent Commission Inquiry’s report into the case he was regularly beaten and sexually abused.

In protest, Abdulhadi went on hungry strike, but was force-fed through a nasogastric tube. On 8 May Abdulhadi stood trial before a military court and was convicted of crimes described by international observers, including the US Government, as “unreal” and “unfair”. The fact that a civilian was tried before a military court brings the legality of the case into serious question.

The Arab Spring reached Bahrain on 14 February 2011 when a protest of several thousand people took to the streets of Manama to oppose the apartheid of the Shi’a majority. This island state off the coast of Saudi Arabia has a population of fewer than 2 million people, with 70 per cent of these being Shiites, however the ruling monarchy and the majority of the parliament are Sunni. The constitutional monarchy of Bahrain was legitimised by the British Empire in 1820 when George IV conferred power on to the Al Khalifa family who has ruled the country since.

Manama is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and as a result has no recognisable epicentre, such as Tahrir Square, Egypt. This resulted in protestors making camp at The Pearl Roundabout on the outskirts of the city centre.

Initially, King Hamad, considered a moderate by many, supported the demonstrations stating that people were “entitled to their freedom of speech”. However by 18 February the Kings’ cousin, Prime Minister bin Salman, had ordered a crackdown of the protests.

Widespread violence ensued with many protestors being killed. By 14 March troops from Saudi Arabia and Qatar had arrived in Manama to assist the national troops, martial law was declared and by 19 March, The Pearl Roundabout had been cleared of protestors.

The situation in Bahrain highlights a number of issues to the international community, most obviously that the majority of the population is being discriminated against on the basis of their religion.

What is also very apparent is the degree to which western powers will, or in the case of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja will not; assert their considerable influence over certain nations where human rights are clearly being neglected. The British and Bahraini royals have a lot in common; in fact dignitaries from both countries regularly drop in on each other. Only last month Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex were presented with a “suite” of jewels on their visit to the Bahrain. David Cameron hosted Prime Minister bin Salman before Christmas to discuss the trade links between the two countries, which is predominately made up of oil and arms.

The US is also a strong supporter and ally of Bahrain, their navy’s Fifth Fleet is resident in the country and is considered to be their stronghold in the Gulf region. Though the British are less inclined to meddle in the internal politics of the country, the US is more then happy to get involved. In 2010 when the Sunni political majority looked to expel the Shi’a Al Wefaq party from parliament, the US Ambassador, Thomas Krajesk, declared that the US would not support the move and the Sunni parties quickly changed their minds.

We are becoming increasingly accustomed to the hypocrisy of western powers, however this familiarity does not make it any less deplorable and the question must be asked why cases such as Abdulhadi AlKhawaja go unnoticed around the tables of power?

(Image shows marks of beating on the back and arm of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja after Bahraini police attacked a peaceful protest on 15 July 2005. Pic courtesy of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights).

Despite the crackdown on protests in late March of last year, clashes between groups of protestors and police are continuing on daily basis.

Using surveillance gathered during The Pearl Roundabout encampment, police are now raiding the homes of people involved, or suspected of being involved and making arrests. In custody people are beaten and tortured, then being released after a short time. There have been a number of deaths in custody, such as that of the blogger Zakariya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri, who was beaten to death by police. This has spread fear and anger through the capital Manama, which is only heightened by the fact that people leave custody with untreated broken bones, and severe facial and head injuries.

Twenty doctors and nurses from both Shi’a and Sunni backgrounds are currently awaiting trial on a myriad of charges against the regime. If convicted, each could face up to 15 years in prison. During an initial hearing the group was presented with an array of guns and weapons in front of them as national and international media were invited to record the image. All of the medics have since said that they had never seen the weaponry before the hearing. Several of these doctors were trained at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland – the RSCI is noticeably quiet in the support of their former students.

Both of Abdulhadi’s daughters campaign tirelessly for their father’s release. Zaniab is based Bahrain, while Maryama is an exile from Bahrain and currently living in Denmark. Zaniab is allowed occasional access to her father in prison and has visited him as recently as 7 January, despite evidence of swelling on his face she says, “he is in strong spirits”. He reportedly told her “Peaceful resistance is a celebration, do not despair”.

No date for Abdulhadi’s appeal has been set as of yet.

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    Mute Rob Gale
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    Apr 17th 2022, 3:21 PM

    The ironic thing is, had Michàel Martin being around in 1916 he’d condemn the rising and all who took part.

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    Mute Mark Harrison
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    Apr 17th 2022, 3:43 PM

    @Rob Gale: yes..agree..he would have labelled them as terrorists ..

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    Mute Eire
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    Apr 17th 2022, 4:34 PM

    @Rob Gale: mehole is a Langer & that’s putting mildly

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    Mute John Byrne
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    Apr 17th 2022, 6:00 PM

    @Rob Gale: and if my aunty had liathróidí she’d be my uncle. Most of the blood sacrifice was done by ordinary citizens

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    Mute Rory
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    Apr 17th 2022, 6:27 PM

    @Mark Harrison: why would you say that.

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    Mute Richard Ahern
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    Apr 17th 2022, 6:55 PM

    @Rob Gale: Having studied that period of time, some years ago, that was the feeling of the majority of Irish people at the time; terrorists in action. I can understand that fully. Move forward to more recent years and consider the regular comments regarding how we (ROI) should have this, that or the other (health service and so on) because they have it in the UK. The reality is we can’t have what UK citizens have because of economies of scale. Should we consider becoming part of a greater whole again? Maybe we should look at it. We ain’t doing too well on our own, what with huge financial debt and no need to mention that hospital situation.

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    Mute Fergus Quinlan
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    Apr 17th 2022, 11:03 PM

    @Rob Gale: they would have been regarded as terrorists and the UK would call in the US to but Down the notion of a self declared Republic….!!

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    Mute Mick
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    Apr 18th 2022, 9:25 AM

    @Rob Gale: Lessons have to be learned!!!

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    Mute Rob Gale
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    Apr 18th 2022, 11:05 AM

    @Richard Ahern: I have a theory on that. I don’t think it’s to do with economies of scale. Look at Denmark with the same population and how they’re performing. One of many examples. Ok so, agreed, we have not done well running our own shop. And seem to still look to pass it off to others (first the church, then Europe more recently). But I think it’s because we have never had money as a people. For centuries. So once there’s money in the mix, like public finances, we don’t know how to responsibly manage it or deal with it. So there’s an instinct to feather you’re own nest and the people close to you. So then we’re left with deep corruption in every institution. If you look at any body in ireland it’ll be corrupt to the core. And that’s how ya end up with the wrong people in charge.

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    Mute Madra
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    Apr 17th 2022, 7:30 AM

    Have a wonderful Easter one and all.

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    Mute The Ghost of Micheal Collins
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    Apr 17th 2022, 10:54 AM

    What they undertook to do
    They brought to pass;
    All things hang like a drop of dew
    Upon a blade of grass.

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    Mute Gary ODonnell
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    Apr 17th 2022, 11:32 AM

    Why do they have the reading of the proclamation on Easter Sunday when the rising didn’t take place until Easter Monday?

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    Mute Mickey Finn
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    Apr 17th 2022, 12:22 PM

    @Gary ODonnell: Maybe it’s handy. I suppose the inportant thing is that the event is commemorated annually and the Easter date moves around anyway.

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Apr 17th 2022, 3:37 PM

    @Gary ODonnell: why is Patricks Day celebrated on March 17th for a person who never existed?

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    Mute Garbhán Ó Ruis
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    Apr 17th 2022, 6:54 PM

    @Paul Shepherd: We have St. Patrick’s writings. Many things about what he did may be debated, but the evidence for his existence is not in doubt.

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    Mute Sequoia
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    Apr 17th 2022, 9:05 PM

    @Gary ODonnell:

    It also didn’t occur until April 24th which is when it should be marked.

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Apr 17th 2022, 10:11 PM

    @Paul Shepherd: Thats what sets the irish apart.

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    Mute Gavin Tobin
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    Apr 17th 2022, 1:33 PM

    Will the #IrishAirCorps be using Green & Orange dye or has that been banned.

    https://www.accas.info/?p=2820

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    Mute v39e84kK
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    Apr 17th 2022, 6:50 PM

    Attending events is the pinnacle of their skillset.

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    Mute Colm O'Leary
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    Apr 17th 2022, 1:02 PM

    The elastic band will be out in force today!!!

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    Mute Paul Byrne
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    Apr 17th 2022, 5:29 PM

    Was it poppy day

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    Mute The only INFP in Ireland
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    Apr 17th 2022, 8:06 PM
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    Mute Rory
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    Apr 18th 2022, 12:03 AM
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