By SARA SAMI and MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 25th September 2007

MANAMA: Bahrain stepped up its war on corruption yesterday, with prosecutions against officials from three national companies. Officials from the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and Gulf Air are facing fraud and embezzlement charges.

A senior Asry official was arrested and remanded in custody for a week yesterday, after allegedly confessing to embezzling nearly BD40,000.

He is one of two Asry officials suspended last Wednesday, following an extraordinary board meeting over investigation by an external auditor into alleged financial irregularities.

By AFP

Published September 25, 2007

King Hamad reshuffled Bahrain's cabinet Monday, dropping the Gulf state's first ever woman minister while keeping another woman in the government.

Health minister Nada Haffadh, who joined the government in 2004, was replaced by Faisal Al Hamr, a former dean of Health Sciences College, according to a decree issued by the king and published by the official BNA news agency.

Haffadh revealed to the press earlier this month that she had tendered her resignation in April following the formation of a parliamentary commission to investigate the work of the health ministry.

Bahrain launches rights booklet for expatriate workers

By IANS
Friday September 14, 12:16 PM
Dubai, Sep 14 (IANS) To make foreign workers aware of their rights and obligations after they land in Bahrain for work, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has come out with a new guide.

'The Foreign Employees Guide, in English and Arabic, aims to inform all foreign workers about their rights and obligations under the LMRA Act,' LMRA chief executive Ali Radhi was quoted as saying by Gulf Daily News.

Ali Radhi said the new booklet would be distributed to the expatriate community through embassies, clubs and organisations.

By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI
Published: 27th September 2007

BAHRAIN was among 11 countries cited by Transparency International yesterday as having a "significant worsening in levels of perceived corruption" this year, despite retaining its rank as the third least corrupt country in the Arab world. Its global ranking also dropped in the 2007 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 36, among 163 countries last year, to 46, among 180 countries this year.

The index comes at a time when Bahrain is stepping up its war on corruption, with prosecution against officials from three national companies. It scores countries on a scale from zero to 10, with zero indicating high levels of perceived corruption and 10 indicating low levels.

Corruption index blow for Bahrain
By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI
Published: 27th September 2007

BAHRAIN was among 11 countries cited by Transparency International yesterday as having a "significant worsening in levels of perceived corruption" this year, despite retaining its rank as the third least corrupt country in the Arab world. Its global ranking also dropped in the 2007 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 36, among 163 countries last year, to 46, among 180 countries this year.

The index comes at a time when Bahrain is stepping up its war on corruption, with prosecution against officials from three national companies. It scores countries on a scale from zero to 10, with zero indicating high levels of perceived corruption and 10 indicating low levels.

By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 25th September 2007

A LIST of alleged human rights abuse victims is now being compiled and will be presented to an unofficial 'Truth Commission' in December, it emerged yesterday.

Bahrain Human Rights Society assistant general secretary Dr Abdulla Aldeerazi said a process was now underway to identify people who suffered during political troubles in the 1990s.

"This will take another few weeks, but we will release the list on December 10," he said.

Dr Aldeerazi was speaking on the opening day of a four-day 'truth seeking' seminar, being held at the Ramee International Hotel, Juffair.

13 September 2007 – The General Assembly today adopted a landmark declaration outlining the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people and outlawing discrimination against them – a move that followed more than two decades of debate.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has been approved after 143 Member States voted in favour, 11 abstained and four – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States – voted against the text.

A non-binding text, the Declaration sets out the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues.

spotlight Fri Sep 21, 2:52 PM ET

Bahrain, Ecuador and Tunisia will be the first UN members to have their human rights records reviewed next year under a crucial new process implemented by the world's body's rights council on Friday.

The three countries are the first among 16 who will be scrutinised at a session of the UN Human Rights Council scheduled for February 2008, according to a list released by the United Nations.

The selection for the "Universal Periodic Review" was made by a random draw on Friday. It lays out a timetable for the systematic review of all 192 UN member states by the end of 2011.

Published: 22nd September 2007

GENEVA: Bahrain, Ecuador and Tunisia will be the first UN members to have their human rights records reviewed next year under a crucial new process implemented by the world body's rights council yesterday.

The three countries are the first among 16 who will be scrutinised at a session of the UN Human Rights Council scheduled for February 2008, according to a list released by the United Nations.

The selection for the "Universal Periodic Review" was made by a random draw yesterday. It lays out a timetable for the systematic review of all 192 UN member states by the end of 2011.

By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI
Published: 20th September 2007

THE lack of adequate protection for migrant workers and the denial of union rights to public sector workers in Bahrain have been criticised by the International Trade Union Confederation.

Migrant workers make up roughly 60 per cent of the workforce and while they are allowed to join unions and run for union office, they prefer not to as they have no protection against dismissal, it says in its annual Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations report.

But unions are able to meet freely to discuss work strategy, regulations and future projects, as well as to play an effective role in defending workers' rights, says the report.

The Constitution states that Islam is the official religion and that Shari'a (Islamic law) is a principal source for legislation. Article 22 of the Constitution provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites and hold religious parades and meetings, in accordance with the customs observed in the country; however, the Government placed some limitations on the exercise of this right.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period. The Government continued to exert a level of control and to monitor both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, and there continued to be government discrimination against Shi'a Muslims in certain fields. Members of other religious groups who practice their faith privately do so without interference from the Government.

Religious Freedom for Shia in Bahrain

"Systematic Oppression and Marginalization"

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

January 2006

Kingdom of Bahrain
Religious Freedom in Bahrain

Muslim represents the majority of population (citizens and residents) amounting up to 98% of the population of 710 thousands. Christians, Jews and other persuasions don't exceed 2% of the population . There is no exact estimation to the proportion of Shia citizen in Bahrain. With reference to the estimation provided by different references , the average percentage of 73.8%.

There are more than one church and temple in Bahrain, where Christians convene openly and regularly, as there are more than one Christian school for private pre university education. Followers of other persuasions and beliefs, like Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, have their private worship places and enjoy full religious freedom.

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI

OVERFLOWING human waste from a labour camp is causing sickness among children living in the area, it was claimed yesterday.

Residents are now calling for the eviction of more than 200 workers who live there.

They are demanding their immediate relocation and say the smell from the camp, in East Eker, is making life unbearable.

A petition calling for action has now been submitted to the Central Municipal Council, which blamed the problem on the absence of a sewage network.

Area councillor and council technical committee chairman Radhi Amman is now hoping to revoke a licence that allows the building to be used as a labour camp.

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
Published: 19th September 2007

AN elderly Bahraini and his family are facing eviction because they are allegedly refusing to leave their crumbling house so it can be torn down and rebuilt.

The house in Ma'ameer was fast-tracked through a national scheme to renovate dilapidated buildings because it is so dangerous to live in.

However, owner Haji Hussain Matrook is reportedly refusing to budge because he does not like the designs of his new house - even though parts of his current house have collapsed several times.

He lives in the house with his wife and 16 other members of his family, but they are allegedly refusing to choose between 10 different designs put forward for their new house.

By MANDEEP SINGH

MORE than 120 Health Ministry drivers, excluding those in the Accident and Emergency Department, yesterday called off a two-day strike and dropped their overtime demands.

The move followed a meeting with ministry Under-Secretary Dr Aziz Hamza and Finance and Human Resources Assistant Under-Secretary Ebrahim Shehab.

The drivers had demanded two hours' overtime during Ramadan, since they have to start work earlier than timings set by the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) for government employees.

"Officials asserted this demand could not be met in the absence of a budget and the drivers were offered days off in lieu," said a ministry spokesman.

The victim is still suffering pain in lungs and breathing system

14 September 2007

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is highly concerned with the consequences suffered by citizens Mohamed Yahia, 28, from Damstan. Yahia, the unemployed torture survivor, is suffering because of the torture and harsh treatment he received while in prison during the period from 1994 – 1999.

Yahia told BYSHR that he “was arrested for the first time by security forces in 1997 in a rally launched by students from his school calling for implementing constitutional reforms. Then, I was detained for 6 months and suffered harsh treatment and torture. Therefore, I launched a hunger strike to be released.”

Indian killed in oil tanker fall in Bahrain
17 Sep 2007, 1226 hrs IST,PTI

SMS NEWS to 58888 for latest updates
DUBAI: A 26-year-old man from Punjab was killed while he was working inside an oil tanker in Bahrain.

Jaspal Singh, hailing from Bathinda, died on the spot as he slipped and fell off scaffolding he was engaged in dismantling along with four other workers yesterday.

He was handing over pieces of scaffolding when he slipped, possibly because of the slippery beam, an official of the company that employed him said.

Singh has been working for the firm for the last five years.

BAHRAIN's political societies met for the first time last night since splitting over participation in last year's parliament and municipal council elections.

The call for roundtable discussions was issued by Abdulwahab Hussain in an attempt to bring all societies together.

Those invited to the meeting included representatives of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, National Democratic Action Society, Islamic Action Society, Democratic Society, Olama'a Islamic Council and Haq Movement.

Individual figures included Dr Muneera Fakhro, Shaikh Isa Al Jowder and Sayed Jaffar Al Alawi, among others.

By RASHA AL QAHTANI

A CAMPAIGN was launched in Bahrain yesterday to demand action on the situation in Darfur ahead of the 62nd UN General Assembly, which opens in New York next Tuesday.

It is part of a global effort spearheaded by Globe For Darfur and Save Darfur Coalition, which invites people to join an online international petition to urge governments and political leaders to "not look away now".

They say that some in the international community had become complacent since the UN Security Council approved plans on July 31 for a 26,000-strong peacekeeping force for the vast, war-battered region in western Sudan.

By MANDEEP SINGH

A COMPANY facing prosecution after a worker fell into a six-metre-deep pit and was critically injured yesterday claimed he fell because he was unwell and was simply unlucky to have landed in the hole.

A spokesman for the Bahrain Pipeline Construction Company (BPCC) said the company was not liable to pay compensation and claimed its "fast actions" prevented more serious injuries.

Suram Sathyam, 29, from India, is now in the Intensive Care Unit of Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) where he is receiving treatment for severe head and spine injuries.

The GDN reported on Wednesday that BPCC faces prosecution for alleged negligence as a result of the accident, which happened in Barbar last Monday.

By Geoffrey Bew

MANAMA

EFFORTS are being stepped up by the Thai Embassy to make sure people living illegally in Bahrain take part in the government's general amnesty for expatriate workers. A spokesman said that two consular staff from the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Bangkok had been flown in especially to assist embassy officials in helping make sure people do not miss the chance to legalise their stay or leave the country without penalty.

A mobile consular unit has also been set up and will tour Manama in an attempt to raise awareness about the amnesty, which runs until the end of the year.

By MOHAMMED AL A' ALI
Published: 15th September 2007

A CRACKDOWN on illegal expatriate street hawkers is being launched in the Central Governorate to protect the livelihood of legal Bahraini traders.

The move follows a call by the Central Municipal Council to step up inspection campaigns against the expatriate hawkers, who it says are mostly runaways and sell food that has not been inspected or properly stored.

Members met governorate security directorate officials who pledged to increase inspections.

Councillors say that consideration must be given to Bahraini hawkers, since the profession is open only to citizens by acquiring their licences from the Central Municipality.

20.07.2007 - 09:38 CET | By Dana Moss
EUOBSERVER / COMMENT - Al Sharkawi and Al Shaer, two democracy activists in Egypt who used the internet to coordinate activities, were detained for several weeks last year following their participation in a peaceful pro-reform protest. They were finally freed last July, but their plight highlights the dangers faced by bloggers across the Middle East.

Such events also underscore the growing importance of the blogosphere, the threat regimes sense emanating from online activism and the blogosphere's need for European support.

Bloggers have proved themselves vital in the political arena. In Egypt the Kifaya movement, an opposition group championing democratic governance, used blogs to provide publicity, mobilize and organize protests. Equally crucial is the role of online activism in pursuing those scandals which the state-owned media chooses to sideline. Bahraini bloggers exposed the arrest of human rights activists such as Abdulhadi al Khawaja of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2007/07/worries_in_bahrain.html
July 07, 2007
Worries in Bahrain
Thomas Lifson
Bahrain, with its three quarters of a million people, may seem a tiny concern, but the island nation is home to the US 5th Fleet, and has long been one of the outposts of moderation, relative tolerance, and fairly enlightened rule, at least by regional standards. A causeway connects Bahrain to the Saudi mainland, and leisure-minded Saudis often drive there to enjoy pleasures forbidden at home. An acquaintance of mine who used to visit Bahrain quite frequently recalled with fondness the friendly and open attitudes found there toward Westerners.

Alexander M. Arrackal
Staff Reporter

A total of 127 Nepalese labourers have sought amnesty, First Secretary at the Nepalese embassy in Saudi Arabia, Lok Thapa, has said.
He told the Tribune that more were expected to benefit from the clemency in the next few days, with the maximum number expected to approach them on Friday.
“So I have decided to stay on till Friday and help in processing their documents,” he added.
Thapa said about 500 Nepalese were staying illegally in Bahrain compared with 2,000 estimated previously. Most work with construction companies or are employed in odd jobs in various establishments.

Ex-Gitmo detainee struggles for a business licence
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter

Isa Al Murbati is out of the dreaded Guantanamo Bay.
But he is a victim nonetheless – of red-tape now.
“I want to open a car washing shop in Isa Town or Riffa. I have no passport, no CPR which are required to obtain permission to start a business,” Al Murbati told the Tribune.
The former Bay detainee said his passport was confiscated when he was arrested in Pakistan. “ I want a new passport but there is no one guiding me how to go about it.
“I have visited government offices several times but they have not given a positive response. This has delayed my business venture.

By ANIQA HAIDER
Published: 12th September 2007

THE body of a father who reportedly committed suicide by slashing his throat was cremated in Bahrain yesterday. Friends and relatives of Indian gardener Athmanathan Ramu, 33, attended the service at Askar crematorium.

Relatives have said they were baffled by Mr Ramu's death last Thursday. They revealed that before his death he had returned to his room after watching cricket with friends.

"His brother spoke to his family the same day, explained the matter and they agreed to have him cremated in Bahrain," said brother-in-law Namasivayam Tharmaraj.

By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 12th September 2007

A MAN who had raped a 68-year-old Bahraini woman at her home, robbed her and left her to die, will be sentenced on October 10.

The 27-year-old Bahraini, who has admitted rape and theft, held the woman at knifepoint and beat her, after forcing his way into her home in Riffa, the High Criminal Court heard at an earlier hearing.

He told police that he banged her head against a wall when she tried to resist, then stole her money and fled, leaving the door open.

"The woman resisted when I tried to remove her clothes so I pushed her hard and her head hit the wall of her bedroom. She became weak and I raped her," he said.

Published: 12th September 2007

HUMAN trafficking, rape, and the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children were some of the topics on the agenda as the US Special Representative for Social Issues concluded a three-day visit to Bahrain yesterday.

Ambassador Grover Joseph Rees met with officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, MPs and Non-Government Organisations, including the Migrant Workers Protection Society during his stay.

President George Bush created the post in October last year to promote the country's multi-lateral agenda worldwide, including combating sexual violence, addressing the exploitation of women and children and enhancing maternal and child health.

By REBECCA TORR
Published: 12th September 2007

BAHRAIN is ahead of other Arab countries in its initiatives to close the gender gap, but it still has a long way to go, says a UN gender consultant. While Bahraini women are fairing well compared to other countries in terms of education, being economically active and setting up their own businesses, they still find it difficult to make it into decision-making positions, said UN Development Programme Arab Countries gender consultant Dr Fatima Khafagy.

"Thirty one per cent of commercially registered enterprises in Bahrain are in the name of women and this is a high number compared to other countries, but still there is a wide gender gap in other fields such as in high government and managerial positions," she told the GDN.

Bahrain: Abduction and Torture of Activists Return
Activist Hassan Abdulnabi -Committee of Unemployed - kidnapped and threatened to life by the National Security Service

Two days ago, a young Bahraini (I. A.) was arrested from place of work and taken to the security command center in Muharraq. He was subjected to beatings and torture during interrogation by an executioner known lieutenant Abdullah Alhadi. ( I. A.) - in his twenties- had received threatening messages via phone that he will be "absent behind the sun", after participating in a religious ceremony in Arad village. He was critical referring to issues of public interest like that of political naturalization and its impact on the economic situation and the housing crisis. While interrogated, he was beaten by plastic hose in various places of his body and threatened with imprisonment on charges of insulting the "King and the Prime Minister". He was released after several hours of such endurance and threatened of arrest and imprisonment if what happened to him of beating and torture inside the jail, were disclosed. The young man still suffers pain and conceal what had happened to him fearing for his life and the practices of the notorious National Security Service.

By SOMAN BABY

LABOUR Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi has urged the Indian community not to allow anyone to violate its human rights.

He said the general amnesty declared by the Bahrain government is to help those who are staying here illegally after falling victims to the malpractice of people who have violated human rights.

Dr Al Alawi, who was speaking to the Indian community on amnesty at the Indian Club, said his mission for next year would be to abolish the sponsorship system in Bahrain.

"I am confident that when a new system comes into effect next year, with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) taking over the responsibility of issuing work visas, the sponsorship system will also be abolished," he added.

By RASHA AL QAHTANI

THOUSANDS of teachers demonstrated for the second time in front of the Education Ministry, Isa Town, yesterday to demand a 30 per cent pay rise.

It followed an earlier protest in June and organisers said yesterday's show of strength was the result of them receiving no response from officials.

If this latest demonstration fails, organisers warned more extreme measures could be taken - such as hunger strikes and protests outside senior government offices including that of the Prime Minister.

Yesterday's demonstration was spearheaded by the Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS), which approved the move at a meeting last Thursday.

UN seat appeal
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 9th September 2007

TAIWAN is seeking the support of Bahrain in its bid to win a seat at the UN. Officials here claim Taiwan's official application to join the UN was never considered because secretary-general Ban Ki-moon refused to forward it to the Security Council and General Assembly.

They say the island is willing and able to make a significant contribution towards global issues and its inclusion would help avoid creating a weak link in the organisation's worldwide network.

Taiwan trade mission representative Chin-Hsiung said some countries, including the Solomon Islands, Swaziland and the Republic of Naru, have already come out in support of the move.

‘Begging only option to feed my children’
The sweltering heat and humidity has not stopped Zahra from sitting near a Sanad-based pharmacy to seek alms. Her four children, however, were nowhere to be found.
The Tribune had earlier visited the site and found sisters Mona, 10, and Zahra, 8, begging. The rest of the family – Mohammed, 7, Ali, 4, and Zakina, 8, – were found sitting outside a nearby bank.
Zahra says she has no intention of asking her children to accompany her to beg because the academic year has started. She says she can continue to feed her children only by seeking alms.

Sponsorship system to be scrapped
The Minister of Labour, Dr Majeed bin Mohsin Al Alawi, yesterday declared that abolition of the sponsorship system would be his mission for next year.
Participating in an interactive session on amnesty with a 300-strong Indian community at the Indian club in the presence of visiting Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahamed, Dr Al Alawi, however, did not elaborate further on the subject but made it clear that the sponsorship system was on its way out.
Dr Al Alawi advised the gathering not to allow any person to hold onto his or her passport. “It is a violation of your human rights and you should not let anyone do that. Stand up and defend your rights and don’t let someone grab it from you,” the minister asserted.

Probe over 'workers deported' allegation
By Alistair Baptista
Published: 7th September 2007

OFFICIALS are investigating allegations that four workers were deported and six others are being held under guard in company quarters, after complaining about their wages. Four Indian cleaners were allegedly deported on Wednesday night after being detained by MBM Alam Flora security staff when they threatened to inform their embassy about deductions from their wages.

They were among 10 men allegedly detained at the company quarters in Khamis.

It is understood that the other six are due to be deported in the next few days.

By RASHA AL QAHTANI

CRUNCH talks take place today over power cuts hitting thousands of families in 11 villages off the Budaiya Highway. Northern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Sayed Ameen Al Mousawi will meet with the Electricity and Water Minister Shaikh Abdulla bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Mr Al Mousawi said that 11 villages, including 28 residential blocks, had been experiencing power cuts several times a day, for nine days.

"Power cuts in Budaiya are excessive and we experience around four or five power cuts a day," he said.

"Residents are suffering, some people cannot even go to work in the morning because of lack of sleep."

By SOMAN BABY

MANAMA

Passports of more than 75 runaway workers were handed over by their employers to the respective embassies yesterday.This is in response to a call made by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

The passports were handed over to the embassy counters at the LMRA premises in Sanabis.

Eight embassies opened their temporary counters at the ground floor of the LMRA headquarters yesterday.

They are the embassies of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Syria .

"We are extremely happy with the response from employers," said LMRA chief executive Ali Radhi.

Bahrain labour body seeks passports of absconding workers
4

MANAMA (AFP) — Bahrain's labour watchdog invited employers on Saturday to hand over the passports of absconding foreign workers in the Gulf state which hosts many Asian workers.

The embassies of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Philippines as well as three Arab states -- Egypt, Jordan and Iraq -- would collect the passports of their respective nationals from the employers throughout September, the Labour Market Authority said in a statement.

The statement, received by AFP, did not give an estimate of absconding workers. It said employers would not be fined or otherwise penalised if they handed over the passports.