On 18 September 2026, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, highlighting Bahrain’s continued detention of elderly opposition leaders Hasan Mushaima, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, and the medical neglect they face despite suffering from chronic illnesses and requiring medical care. ADHRB urged the Council to call on Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release them, ensure access to medical care, and hold those responsible for the violations accountable.
Bahrain continues to detain prominent elderly opposition leaders Hasan Mushaima, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, sentenced to life imprisonment following unfair trials.
78-year-old Hasan Mushaima, one of Bahrain’s most prominent opposition leaders, has been imprisoned for over 15 years and suffers from serious chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney, nerve, and joint problems. Despite appeals by UN experts, he faces life-threatening medical neglect requiring pain-relief injections.
Prominent 64-year-old human rights defender Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, remains deprived of treatment despite doctors recommending surgery for his shoulder pain. Al-Singace suffers from post-polio syndrome and several serious chronic illnesses. He has endured prolonged solitary confinement and been denied medical appointments, treatment, and crutches, forcing him to endure a 1,000-day hunger strike.
65-year-old Bahraini-Danish human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja also remains detained despite concerns over his health.
We call on the Council to ensure their immediate and unconditional release, provide medical care, and hold those responsible for the violations accountable.
