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  • Endangered Scholars Worldwide

The information in this quarterly print report is current as of August 29, 2018. The situation of scholars and students around the world changes on a daily basis. For the most up-to-date information and ways in which you can be involved in calling for the freedom of endangered scholars and students, please visit us online at www.endangeredscholarsworldwide.net or follow us at www.facebook.com/endangeredscholars. In these pages we introduce new cases that have come to our attention over the past three months and provide basic information about continuing cases—a description of charges and potential or actual reported sentences. If you are aware of a scholar or student whose case you believe we should investigate, please contact us at esw@newschool.edu.

NEW AND CONTINUING CASES

BAHRAIN

Scholars and Researchers

abdul-jalil al-singace, 56, the former head of the department of engineering at the University of Bahrain, has been in Jau Prison since 2011 on a life sentence for allegedly "plotting to overthrow the government" during the Arab Spring protests. Al-Singace, who has long campaigned for political reform and an end to torture, was himself tortured at the time of his detention. ESW confirmed on August 8, 2018, that Dr. Al-Singace, a polio victim with special needs, is in deteriorating health and continues to be deliberately denied proper medical treatment, along with four other Bahraini activists.

Endangered Scholars Worldwide believes that the denial of medical treatment endangers the lives of jailed activists in Bahrain. According to a report published by Amnesty International, the prison [End Page v] administration has not provided Al-Singace adequate medical care on a regular basis and has been refusing to replenish supplies of his medications. ESW calls for Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace to be granted access to all necessary medical care as a matter of urgency, and we continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as all those detained in Bahrain in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bahrain is a state party.

Students

ali mohamed hakeem al-arab, 23, was arrested on February 9, 2017. On March 7, he was moved to Dry Dock Prison. According to a report by Amnesty International dated March 15,2018, Al-Arab alleges that he was tortured throughout 26 days of interrogation and forced to sign a confession. On January 31, the Fourth High Criminal Court in Bahrain sentenced al-Arab and Ahmad al-Malali, another Bahraini activist to death, convicting them on charges including "forming and joining a "terrorist" group." Al-Arab remains at risk of further torture and other ill treatments.

Other students who remain in prison include ahmed al arab,a nursing student arrested in January 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment, who has reported that he was subjected to severe torture and ill treatment while held in detention. Endangered Scholars Worldwide is strongly concerned about continued attacks on Ahmed Al-Arab. On January 25, he was denied a family visit, and he has reported an increase in harassment. ahmed aoun was arrested in May 2015 on charges of "involvement in pro-democracy demonstrations." Five other students were sentenced to 15 years in prison at a trial on March 5, 2012, following involvement in prodemocracy demonstrations, including jawad al-mahary, shawqi radhi, jassim al hulaini, jassim al-mukhodher, and yousif ahmed. According to information received by ESW, the authorities at Dry Dock detention center, where Ahmed Auon is held, has denied proper medical treatment. ESW is deeply concerned about the continued ill treatment of scholars and students in Bahrain, and calls on the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, [End Page vi] the European Union, and international institutions to put pressure on Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ahmed Al-Arab, along with all other detainees held on politically motivated charges due to the ongoing popular movement for freedom and democracy.

Please send appeals to:

His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
The Amiri Court
PO Box 555
Rifa'a Palace
Al-Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587...

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