VIDEO: Amina al-Abdouli launches a cry for help 

Female prisoner of conscience Amina al-Abdouli has launched a distress call in a new voice recording leaked from Abu Dhabi’s infamous Al Wathba prison, after new speech-related charges were brought against her in direct reprisal for her attempts to reach out to human rights organisations.

In the recording, Ms al-Abdouli confirms that she has been on a liquids-only hunger strike since 23 February in protest against her conviction in a new case related to audio recordings leaked last year in which she also appealed to human rights groups for support. A further conviction prolongs her current 5-year prison term and delays her return to her family, which was scheduled for November of this year. 

In possible reprisal against the launch of her most recent hunger strike, prison authorities subjected her to solitary confinement from late February until 12 March. Prolonged isolation can be detrimental to a person’s health and is considered a form of torture. 

Amina’s already poor health has further deteriorated as a result of the hunger strike: in her most recent recording she states that as well as notable weight loss, she is experiencing extreme fatigue.