Dr. Abdul Jalil al-Singace, former professor and Department Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Bahrain, is serving a life sentence for peaceful political and human rights activism. Dr. al-Singace has not seen his family since 2017 and his health continues to deteriorate. He has continuously been tortured, held for long periods in small solitary cells and his health has been neglected. CCS has sent the following letter, after several previous attempts, asking for his immediate release, his charges dismissed and record be expunged and that he immediately receives the medical care that he needs. Additionally, CCS requests that his safety be assured.
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama
Bahrain
Fax: +973-1766-4587
Your Majesty:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write today to further express our concerns for Dr. Abdul Jalil al-Singace. Dr. al-Singace, who had been the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bahrain, continues to serve a life sentence in Jau Prison for his peaceful political and human rights activism.
While we are concerned that Dr. al-Singace has been sentenced for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and association, our immediate concern is for his physical health and safety. Dr. al-Singace suffers from Polio, which manifests itself in physical disability. He also suffers from heart, sinus, and eye problems. His prolonged detention, combined with harsh treatment has exacerbated these conditions. Additionally, we have learned that he may have sickle cell disease, musculoskeletal problems and ruptured ear drums. We have received reports that he needs to see a hematologist because his blood count is low, and that he has been denied access to visits from family and friend for several years now.
Dr. al-Singace’s physical disability requires a wheelchair and cane to get around. Sometimes neither are provided and, when they are, parts require repair to work properly. It is urgent and imperative that you take all actions necessary to stabilize the deteriorating health of Dr. al-Singace, and that he be allowed all medical treatments necessary to do so. It is also vital that he be allowed visits from family and friends.
We respectfully ask that you consider releasing Dr. al-Singace from prison on humanitarian grounds so that he can obtain the medical care he needs.
Thank you for your attention to this most serious matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Cc:
Ambassador H.E Shaikh Abdulla Mohamed Al-Khalifa
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
3502 International Drive NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 1-202-342-1111 I Fax: 1-202-362-2192
Email: [email protected]