For over 70 days, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a leader in the people’s movement against the despotic Bahraini monarchy, has been on a hunger strike. He is protesting his outrageous sentence of life in prison after being convicted of trying to overthrow the government.
Al-Khawaja is one of an estimated 700-800 political prisoners in Bahrain convicted in sham trials where the defense could not call or cross-examine witnesses, and credible allegations of torture were dismissed. His daughter stated that despite his critical condition he “is going to go all the way with this. He has made it very clear that he loves life but he loves freedom even more” (Irish Times, April 19).
For over a year, the people of Bahrain have been waging a determined struggle against the U.S.-backed monarchy that rules the island. As home to the Fifth Fleet, Bahrain is a strategic asset for U.S. imperialism, especially when it comes to threatening Iran. The country is roughly 70 percent Shi’ite, but the ruling family practices Sunni Islam. Although the movement is non-sectarian, inclusion for the Shi’ite majority is raised alongside demands for democratic rights and social justice.
As a part of the Arab Spring wave of uprisings, tens of thousands of Bahrainis began taking to the streets in February 2011 and occupied the Pearl Roundabout in the tradition of Tahrir Square. As the government began to lose its grip on power, it was saved by another U.S. proxy state, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi soldiers invaded Bahrain on March 14, 2011, and massacred protesters, briefly occupying the country to stabilize the situation for the Bahraini monarchy.
In an attempt to appease the movement, the so-called Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was set up to recommend political reforms. The members of the BICI are hand-picked by the king, and the committee is ultimately toothless unless the monarchy chooses to act on its suggestions.
Frustration with the BICI has boiled over recently in the run-up to the annual Bahrain Grand Prix, a major international racing event, sponsored by Formula One, that generates significant profits for the Bahraini ruling class. The Grand Prix was canceled last year as a result of the uprising, but the government is determined to hold the race as scheduled this year to promote the illusion of a return to normalcy.
Most recently, thousands took part in a massive demonstration April 20 to demand the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The march was broken up after being brutally attacked by riot police using tear gas, which was likely produced in the United States. Security forces have made a huge show of force and set up military-style checkpoints in the area around the race track.
Despite their supposed concern for human rights in countries with nationalist governments like Syria and Libya before the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, U.S. and European imperialism has been conspicuously silent about the situation in Bahrain. As the masses continue to risk their lives in the struggle for freedom, democracy and dignity, progressive and revolutionary people around the world need to stand in solidarity and emulate their militant example.
