Amnesty International: Prisoners in Jaw Prison are exposed to grave health risks after many contracted tuberculosis

The Bahraini authorities’ lack of response to people living with tuberculosis in Jaw Prison contravenes their human rights obligations, particularly the right to health, Amnesty International said.

“The Bahraini authorities’ inappropriate response to the request to treat tuberculosis cases in prison shows an alarming lack of interest in the health of prisoners, and exposes their right to health to grave risks,” said Amna Al-Qalali, deputy director of the organization’s Middle East and North Africa office.

Al-Qalali stressed that “the Bahraini authorities must immediately provide the necessary care for sick prisoners, and they must also prevent the spread of the disease by taking the necessary measures, including conducting a tuberculosis examination for people who show symptoms of the disease.”

The organization noted that under international human rights law, Bahrain has a responsibility to ensure that prisoners have access to free standards of health care available in the community, which includes transferring prisoners to specialized or civilian hospitals for treatment not available in prison.