Health of hunger strikers in Bahrain prison worsen amid cruel treatment

File photo shows the Bahraini female activists who have gone on hunger strike in Isa City prison to protest brutal treatment by prison authorities.

Health conditions of five female Bahraini activists that have gone on a hunger strike in prison to protest their ill treatment by prison authorities have reportedly deteriorated as the regime’s crackdown on popular dissent persists.

The country’s al-Lulu TV Network reported on Friday that the health conditions of the jailed activists at a prison in the north-central city of Isa have worsened since they began their hunger strike on Tuesday.

The report further cited local sources as identifying the female hunger strikers as Amira al-Qesh’ami, Najah Ahmad Habib, Madina Ali Ahmad, Zeinab Marhoun and Hajar Mansour.

The sources also noted that Hajar Mansour is suffering from kidney problems and low blood pressure.

This is while the Bahraini sources further pointed out that the regime’s police forces have broken into and searched 18 houses from October 3 to 23 and arrested at least 22 people.

The development came as Bahraini protesters waged a rally on Monday in the capital Manama in show of solidarity with the jailed activists as well as other political prisoners in the tiny oil-rich country, and engaged in fierce clashes with police forces.

Police reportedly used brutal force, including stun grenades and tear gas to suppress the protest event in al-Juffair area near the US Embassy in the Bahraini capital.

The demonstrators carried the portraits of prominent Bahraini opposition figures and chanted slogans against the ruling Al Khalifah regime.

Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the country in mid-February 2011.

They are demanding that the Al Khalifah dynasty relinquish power and allow the establishment of a just system representing all Bahrainis.

Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.

Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the Al Khalifah regime’s crackdown.

In recent days, Bahrainis have held a series of protest rallies across different parts of the country in solidarity with jailed activists.