Bahrain Mirror: The Acting Director General of the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre said that Zainab Abdulhadi Abdullah Al-Khawaja (32 years old) who was taken into custody on 15 March 2016 after being convicted in a number of cases, enjoys all of her rights as stated in the Reformation and Rehabilitation Law of 2014.

The Acting Director General said the sentences against her include a one-year jail term for insulting a public employee in 2013, a two-month sentence for deliberate sabotage in 2014 and another two months over another separate case.

He further stated that Al-Khawaja requested to keep her 16-month-old child with her at the Women's Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre.  Her request was approved and she signed a statement on this regard on 16 March 2016. The directorate provided all childcare requirements. Al-Khawaja is being held in an area dedicated for mothers and children. Her son received a medical check-up and was provided with required medication as per normal procedures.

The Acting Director General also said that the centre has approved a number of Al-Khawaja's requests, including allowing her son home visits with her husband (his father) on certain days.  Her daughter will also be permitted to stay with her for one full day.  Medical appointments for Al-Khawaja were scheduled by the Health Affairs Directorate.

The Acting Director General added that the department will continue to fulfill their legal duty by providing medical care around the clock to all inmates who may need it. He also called upon the media to adhere to journalistic ethics, especially accuracy, and to avoid publishing unverified information.

Arabic Version