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Hassan Mushaima
حسن مشيمع
Hasan Mushaima à la Place de la Perle, 26 févier 2011.png
Hassan Mushaima
Born 1948
Jidd Haffs, Bahrain
Opponent(s) Government of Bahrain
Secretary-General of Haq Movement
Assumed office
November 11, 2005
Deputy Isa al-Jowder (d. 2011)
Personal details
Political party Haq Movement (since 2005)
Other political
affiliations
Al Wefaq (until 2005)
Residences Jidd Haffs, Bahrain
Criminal status To be retried (2012)
Criminal charge Attempting to overthrow
the Bahraini monarchy
Penalty Life imprisonment

Hasan Mushaima (Arabic: حسن مشيمع) is a well-known leader in Bahrain. He is the secretary-general of the Haq Movement, an important group that works for change in Bahrain. Before leading Haq, he helped start Al Wefaq. He was also a key figure in the uprising in Bahrain in the 1990s. Mr. Mushaima has worked for more democratic rights in Bahrain. He has been in prison in Bahrain since his arrest in 2011.

Working for Change

Early Activities

The government of Bahrain has arrested Mr. Mushaima many times. He was arrested twice during the 1994 uprising. He was in jail from March to September 1995. He was also jailed again from January 1996 to February 2001. Later, he was arrested in February 2007 for one day. He was then arrested and imprisoned again from January to April 2009.

Health and Travel

In 2010, Mr. Mushaima traveled to Great Britain. He went there to get treatment for lung cancer.

Protests in 2011

Ali Mushaima outside the Bahraini Embassy
Hassan Mushaima's son Ali on hunger strike outside the Bahraini embassy in 2018.

Mr. Mushaima planned to return to Bahrain during the protests in February 2011. However, authorities stopped him in Lebanon while he was on his way. This might have been at the request of the Bahraini government.

Mr. Mushaima finally returned to Bahrain on February 26, 2011. People welcomed him like a hero at Pearl Square. He reportedly told his supporters that leaders in other countries had changed. He believed the same should happen in Bahrain.

On March 7, 2011, Mr. Mushaima joined with other leaders. They formed a group called the "Alliance for the Republic." They believed the government had lost its right to rule. This was because of strong actions taken against protesters.

About a month after the protests began, other countries sent troops to Bahrain. These troops helped to end the protests. After the protesters left Pearl Roundabout, many activists were arrested. Mr. Mushaima was one of them.

On June 22, 2011, a military court sentenced Mr. Mushaima to life in prison. This was for his role in the protests and for trying to bring about changes in the government.

In April 2012, a court in Bahrain ordered a new trial for Mr. Mushaima. This trial was for him and 20 other men who were accused of leading the uprising.

In 2018, Mr. Mushaima's son, Ali Mushaima, started a hunger strike. He protested outside the Bahraini embassy in London. He wanted to draw attention to political prisoners, including his father, who were not getting medical care.

On September 15, 2021, Mr. Mushaima was offered a chance to be released from prison. However, he did not accept the offer because it had conditions.

See also

  • Bahrain Thirteen
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