DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain tried to return to the island kingdom on Friday to press for her father's release but was turned away from her flight in London.
Maryam al-Khawaja was accompanied by a phalanx of other activists, including the secretary-general of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard, seeking to prevent authorities from immediately detaining her.
The attempt also renews pressure on Denmark, where both al-Khawajas have citizenship, and the United States, which signed a new defense understanding with Bahrain this week during a trip to Washington by the island nation's crown prince. Bahrain's government did not respond to requests for comment about al-Khawaja's trip but has insisted that her father has received proper medical care in custody. British Airways did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It marked one of the largest demonstrations against Bahrain's Al Khalifa royal family in the decade since it, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, violently put down the Arab Spring protests. The Sunni Al Khalifa family has ruled over the majority Shiite island in the Persian Gulf since 1783.
During Prince Salman's trip to Washington, he signed a new defense and technology agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He also met U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “The strengthened rhetoric about Washington’s response to an attack on Bahrain will likely help Manama feel more assured, especially when it comes to Bahraini concerns over Iran and its intentions toward Bahrain,” an analysis from the Eurasia Group said. “However, beyond strengthened security rhetoric, the agreement does not appear to offer Bahrain many tangible new security or economic benefits.”
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S., Bahrain sign strategic security and economic agreementWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Bahrain on Wednesday signed a strategic security and economic agreement, which U.S. Secretary of State ...
Read more »
US and Bahrain Sign Security Pact That May Become Model for Middle EastThe US and Bahrain have upgraded their defense relationship under a new security and economic deal that could become a template for Washington’s commitments to other Middle East allies.
Read more »
13-year-old Calgary go-kart racer trains for world championships in BahrainThe Grade 8 student is getting ready to head off to a major motorsport competition in the Middle East in December.
Read more »
Bahrain activist al-Khawaja to travel home, press for father's releaseBy Aziz El Yaakoubi RIYADH (Reuters) - A daughter of prominent Bahraini rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is planning to return to the Gulf state ...
Read more »
Caesars Palace Exits Dubai Just as the UAE Moves Toward Legalized GamingThe property will be rebranded as a Banyan Tree resort as of November.
Read more »