Bahrain Hunger Striker's Life in Peril as US-Backed Forces Continue Anti-Democracy Crackdown

democracynow.org - The U.S.-backed monarchy in Bahrain continues the crackdown on protesters, with reports of many injuries and at least one death over the weekend. We speak to Zainab Alkhawaja, the daughter of jailed human rights leader Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who is now on the 54th day of his hunger strike. Doctors say her father could go into a coma at any point, and she has called on President Obama to pressure the government Bahrain, its strategic ally in the region, to secure his release. "With one word from the American government, my father would be released. I am sure of that," Alkhawaja says. "But right now, Americans — the American administration, not Americans — is more considered with their interests than they are with human rights and the lives of Bahrainis and democracy in Bahrain." Zainab herself is an activist and has been detained in the past for protesting, most recently in February on the anniversary of the country's pro-democracy movement. She reads a poem she wrote about her father while she was in jail called, "The Sultan Digs my Fathers Grave." We're also joined by Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, who was just released from detention. A police statement said Rajab was detained on charges linked to "illegal" demonstrations. His lawyer says he may stand trial in the future.

To watch the complete daily, independent news hour, read the transcript and download the podcast, and for more reports about the uprising in Bahrain, please visit

FOLLOW DEMOCRACY NOW! ONLINE:

Twitter: @democracynow

Subscribe on YouTube

Listen on SoundCloud

Daily Email News Digest

Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today, visit