Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton bezorgd over gezondheid hongerstaker in Bahrein (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 10 April 2012 A

Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton i, on the situation of Mr Abdulhadi al-Khawaja in Bahrain

The spokesperson of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton issued the following statement today:

"After more than 60 days of hunger strike, the health situation of Mr Abdulhadi al-Khawaja demands urgent attention. The High Representative is very worried by the latest reports. She and her services have been following the issue in close contact with Denmark, both in Europe and in Bahrain, and have spoken to various Bahraini representatives over the past weeks.

She urges the Bahraini authorities to take all appropriate measures to find a humanitarian solution to Mr. al-Khawaja's deteriorating health situation, as a matter of absolute urgency.

She also urges the Bahraini authorities to immediately reinstate consular access to Mr. al-Khawaja, access which has been deniedfor the last two days. "