Appeal to safeguard, Rescue, and Free Dr. Ali Al Ekri in Bahrain

Ever since the start of the conflict in Bahrain on the 14th of February 2011, Dr. Ali Al Ekri has been daily on duty for unlimited hours. He had managed and treated hundred of casualties without discrimination, and he saved many lives. In Addition, he volunteered with the others in the medical tents at the Pearl Roundabout (GCC Roundabout). He also dedicated his spare time for this noble mission where he treated many patients. During the massive attack against the protestors at the roundabout at dawn of 17 Feb., he was on duty and he did his best to protect the staff and the others. He managed to escape, while his colleague Dr. Sadiq A. Rasool Al Ekri exposed to a terrible humiliation and beating which required intensive care for several days at the hospital.(1)
 

Dr. Al Ekri used to be in the ambulances that were trying to rescue the casualties on site of the disaster such as Riffaa area, Bahrain University, and others.

On Tuesday March 15, the conflict escalated with the massive attack against Sitra Island by the security forces and the militia supported by Helicopters for the first time. The use of live ammunition in addition to canister bombs and pelleted bullets and rubber bullets resulted in many casualties including fatal ones. despite the prohibition of Salmaniya Medical Canter (SMC) ambulances, he managed to bring some casualties and in fact he was escorting patients from the conflict site. He stayed in the hospital from Tuesday overnight till the day of his arrest on March 17 at SMC while he was on duty in the operation theatre after the hospital was besieged by the military and security forces.

On Wednesday march 16, a massive attack was lounged by a joint Bahraini Saudi armed forces in addition to the security forces at 5:00 am where most protesters were asleep at the Pearl Roundabout. Again, the helicopters were participated in the attack. Dr. Al Ekri was on duty that time were he was ready to deal with casualties. Despite prohibiting the ambulances from reaching the site, several casualties reached the hospitals by their private cars. On Thursday march 17, Dr Al Ekri continued his duty in SMC till the time of his arrest at the same day by the joined military and the security forces. Actually, it is worth mentioning that the joint military forces took control of the SMC and its administration. So far, we don’t know where he is detained and nobody contacted his family officially about the reason of the arrest.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Ali Al Ekri is well-known regarding his commitments on doing his duties as a doctor and surgeon without discrimination and his voluntary activities in his field to serve the people.[1] One example was his participation in saving lives as a surgeon during the war of the Israeli military forces in Ghaza in 2009. He was honoured by King Hammad for his humanitarian mission in Ghaza along with his colleague Dr. Nabeel Tammam. It is a paradox to honour him on his humanitarian mission in Palestine and penalize him for the same mission during the current crises in Bahrain.

We appeal to all the medical professions associations, humanitarian organizations and international human rights to use all their mechanisms and means to pressurize Bahraini government to save his life, reveal his status and to release him. We urge you to contact your governments, parliaments, relevant institutions, your embassies in Bahrain, UN institutions, and international organizations to act immediately in this matter as Dr. Ali Al Ekri’s life at risk.