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HRC57: Denmark expresses concern about reprisals against human rights defenders and call for the release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

Human Rights Council
57th session

Interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

27 September 2024

Intervention by Denmark


Thank you, President,

Denmark is very concerned that the report before us once again lays out a high number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisals against individuals or groups having cooperated with the UN.

I wish to draw your attention to the situation of Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who is serving a life sentence in Bahrain. 

It is the sixth time since 2011 that the case of Mr. Al-Khawaja is mentioned in this report with allegations of arbitrary arrest, torture and heavy sentencing. His critical health status was raised by Special Procedures mandate holders in a letter to Bahrain in September 2023  and similarly, Special Procedures mandate holders raised concerns about the general conditions for prisoners in Jau prison in a press release of August 2024 .

While welcoming the release of prisoners in Bahrain during the past year, we once again call for the release of Mr. Al-Khawaja, a dual-citizen of Bahrain
and Denmark, without further delay.

We further call on Bahrain and all other States to release all human rights defenders imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms and for States to refrain from any act of intimidation or reprisal.

Thank you.