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DUBAI (Reuters) - Jailed Bahraini activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja ended amore than three-month-long hunger strike on Monday after what hedescribed as his success in drawing attention to the issue ofimprisoned activists, his wife and lawyer said. Bahrain, a U.S. ally and home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, hasbeen in turmoil since pro-democracy protests led by its majorityShi'ites erupted last year after revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. Khawaja, who is also a Danish citizen, was a leading figure in theuprising and has become a focal point of almost dailyanti-government protests in the past months as his healthdeteriorated. Bahrain's Shi'ites complain they have long been marginalized inpolitical and economic life, which the government denies. But therehas been no progress on the main opposition demand for a parliamentwith full powers to legislate and form governments. The country's rulers have rejected opposition calls for an electedgovernment and protests and clashes with police continue.Authorities have dubbed the opposition Iranian lackeys because mostof them are Shi'ites, like most people in Iran. A vocal rights activist, Khawaja received a life term for chargesincluding attempting to topple the monarchy. An appeals courtordered a retrial last month at a civilian court. He went on hungerstrike on February 9. "He has stopped his hunger strike," Khadija Almousawi, Khawaja'swife, told Reuters by telephone from Manama, after she received acall from Khawaja on Monday evening. Khawaja decided to end his hunger strike "after succeeding inshedding light on the case of the detainees in Bahraini prisons," astatement carried by Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR)quoted Khawaja as saying. "Despite not succeeding until now to achieve the direct demand ofhis hunger strike which is to be freed ... he has decided to stophis hunger and agree on a medical program to return to normaleating conditions," the statement said. Khawaja, who had said he would fast to his death if he were notfreed, said in the statement on Monday that he had been force-fedby Bahraini authorities since April 23. Authorities had previously denied the accusations saying he hadagreed to receive medical treatment. The case of Khawaja, one of 13 men jailed for leading last year'suprising, has inflamed the street over the past months particularlyduring Bahrain's Formula One Grand Prix in April. Clashes continue on an almost daily basis in Shi'ite neighborhoodsbetween youths and riot police, and there have been a number ofmarches in solidarity with Khawaja. Western governments and the United Nations secretary-general allcalled for a quick resolution of his case. International rightsgroups said Khawaja and the other men are prisoners of conscienceand should be released. To release Khawaja would be a climb-down for a government that hasfailed to quell a movement led by Shi'ites seeking democraticreforms that would reduce the Sunni dynasty's power. But his death would have been a disaster, creating a "martyr" whowould galvanize the street and risk spoiling government efforts topersuade Western allies that reform at the pace of its choosing isworking. HEALTH CONCERNS, TORTURE REPORTS Last Tuesday, Khawaja was brought to court in a wheelchair for theretrial of the 13 men imprisoned over last year's protests. A military court convicted them last year of using violence in theprotests, but Bahrain's highest appeals court ruled last month thatthey should be retried in a civilian court. Lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi said there are still concerns aboutKhawaja's health when he starts eating again and he will bemonitored closely by a doctor. A new hearing is set for Tuesday,but Khawaja will not be able to attend it, Jishi said. In the BYSHR statement Khawaja said he testified about hismistreatment, including torture and beatings, since his arrest onApril 9 during last week's hearing. The men on trial are believed to be among hundreds cited in areport prepared by an international rights investigation inNovember as having suffered torture in detention, often to extractconfessions. Earlier on Monday, prominent Bahraini opposition activist NabeelRajab, who was accused of organizing illegal protests and insultingauthorities in the Gulf Arab state, was freed from jail after beinggranted bail. (Writing by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Sami Aboudi and Jon Hemming). I am an expert from custom-textileprinting.com, while we provides the quality product, such as China Custom Printed Cycling Jerseys , Personalized Handkerchief Manufacturer, Custom Printed Aprons,and more.
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