Maryam Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja (born 26 June 1987) is a Bahraini human rights activist.

She is the
daughter of the Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and former co-director of the Gulf
Center for Human Rights (GCHR). She is currently the Special Advisor on Advocacy with the GCHR, and
works as a consultant with NGOs

1. Background: Maryam Al-Khawaja was born in Bahrain into a family with a long history of activism.
Her father, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, is a well-known human rights activist in Bahrain.
2. Human Rights Activism: Maryam Al-Khawaja has been actively involved in human rights work,
both in Bahrain and internationally. She has focused on issues such as freedom of expression,
political prisoners, and the overall human rights situation in Bahrain.
3. Role in Bahrain's Arab Spring: She played a significant role during the Arab Spring protests in
Bahrain in 2011. The protests called for political reforms and greater civil liberties in the country. The
Bahraini government responded with a crackdown on dissent.
4. International Advocacy: Maryam Al-Khawaja has been involved in advocating for human rights on
the international stage. She has spoken at various forums and engaged with international
organizations to draw attention to the situation in Bahrain.
5. Legal Issues: Due to her activism, Maryam Al-Khawaja has faced legal challenges and
harassment. She has been detained multiple times, and at times, faced travel restrictions. Her
family, including her father and sister, have also faced legal challenges in Bahrain.
6. Exile: Maryam Al-Khawaja has spent periods in exile due to the challenging political environment in
Bahrain. Despite being away from her home country, she continues to be active in advocating for
human rights.

Maryam Al-Khawaja - Human Rights Activist

presentation:

● Bahraini human rights activist.

● Born into a family with a history of activism; daughter of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja.( he’ is an activist in
Bahrain as well)

Activism Highlights:

● Played a significant role in Bahrain's Arab Spring protests in 2011.

(The 2011 Bahraini uprising, part of the Arab Spring, saw thousands protesting at the Pearl
Roundabout in Manama on February 14. Motivated by grievances, especially among the Shiite
majority, demands included political reforms and an end to discrimination. The government
responded with a harsh crackdown, declaring a state of emergency and dismantling the protest site
with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) assistance. The Pearl Roundabout became a symbol of
resistance, reflecting the complexities of political and sectarian tensions. This pivotal event
profoundly influenced subsequent human rights activism in Bahrain)

● Advocacy for freedom of expression, political prisoners, and overall human rights in Bahrain.
● Engaged in international advocacy, addressing human rights issues on the global stage.

(During these exiles, she sought refuge in various locations, including Denmark and the United
States. The duration of each exile varied, but they typically involved extended stays away from
Bahrain, allowing her to continue her activism on the international stage and advocate for human
rights in her home country. Exile became a strategic platform for Maryam Al-Khawaja to raise
 awareness, engage with international organizations, and contribute to the global discourse on
human rights)

Challenges:

● Faced legal issues, including multiple detentions and travel restrictions.

● Family, including her father and sister, also encountered legal challenges in Bahrain.

Exile:

● Spent periods in exile due to the challenging political environment in Bahrain.

● Continues activism despite being away from her home country.

Achievements:

● Continues to be a prominent voice for human rights, raising awareness and advocating for positive
change.

(Note: Information is based on knowledge up to January 2023, and developments may have occurred since
then.)