Reporters Without Borders -Press release- 3 July 2008 - BAHRAIN

Press law amendments hailed but journalists still face jail and websites risk closure

Reporters Without Borders has welcomed some amendments to the press law in Bahrain but voiced concern about some remaining failings that leave journalists and publications exposed to risk.

Websites Blocked on Pretext of Sectarian Crisis
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
www.bahrainrights.org ( blocked in Bahrain )
June 27, 2008
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights followed with great concern the Bahraini government attitude to the exploitation of some sectarian tension – initiated by groups considered associates with the Royal Court and the government itself – aiming to narrow public freedoms. Nabeel Rajab, Vice President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, expressed

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR expresses its worry concerning the recent arrest of Abdullah Hassan Bu-Hassan, member of the Democratic National Action Society (WA'AD), after he expressed opinions concerning political decisions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and also gave his opinion on a report issued by an ex-governmental consultant that revealed a reported government conspiracy to implement discriminatory policies. Bu-Hassan expressed his opinions in an article in "The Democrat", an official periodic publication of WA'AD. He had also recently displayed a political banner in his car.

The Bahraini Special Forces Attacked a Peaceful Seminar
Many arrests and injuries including one person in serious condition

A Heavy armed Security Special Forces (SSF) and militia forces in civilian dress have attacked the audience of a public seminar scheduled for 8,30 the evening of June 5, 2008 in Bilad Al-Qadeen in the outskirts of The capital Manama.

Bahrain: the Establishment of a Youth Human Rights Organization is a Charge Punishable by Law

Maskati under Threat of Prosecution Once Again

Manama- 6th June, 2008

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has, with regret, been following up on the Ministry of Justices decision, to inform, through an official notification, Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, university student, 21 years, President if the BYSHR and a member of the Norwegian Defense International, that he is to be present as a criminal suspect for a court hearing before the 4th Lower Criminal Court on the 6th of November 2008. The charges are related to the working in a Society before it has been officially registered. The Ministry of Social Affairs is behind these allegations and should Mr. Al-Maskati be found guilty, he may be imprisoned for a period of no more than 6 months and/or a fine of 500 Bahraini Dinars.

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights

1 June 2008

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights welcomes developments in the country which promote equal opportunity among citizens, regardless of gender, race, or religion, and advocates the empowerment and inclusion of women and ethnic minorities in all aspects of Bahraini life.

However, the appointment of Houda Nonoo to the position of Bahraini Ambassador to the United States raises more worries than hopes.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights and Migrant Forum in Asia

Less than a week after taking its position (for the second consecutive sitting) of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Bahraini government has declared a blanket ban on reissuing work permits to Bangladeshi citizens. This decision follows the murder of a Bahraini man by a Bangladeshi mechanic in a dispute over financial matter.

KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Head of State King Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Head of government Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Death penalty retentionist
Population 0.8 million
Life expectancy 75.2 years
Under-5 mortality (m/f) 15/15 per 1,000
Adult literacy 86.5 per cent

Isolated incidents of repression of human rights defenders, journalists and internet sites were reported. Courts passed two death sentences, but no one was executed.

Background
In February demonstrations were held after three people were arrested and protesters clashed with security forces. The three arrested – ‘Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, President of the dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights;

Vol XXXI NO. 69 Wednesday 28th May 2008
Clampdown 'may fuel hatred'
THE decision to ban Bangladeshis from Bahrain will fuel discrimination against the country's expatriate communities, human rights activists warned yesterday.

Some plan to submit a petition to government officials to intervene and reverse the decision, while others say they will take up the issue at an international level.
The now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights vice-president Nabeel Rajab said the government's decision will create hatred between locals and expatriates.
"This collective punishment is a decision that was taken without virtually any research on its impact," said Mr Rajab.

Bahrain: Detention and torture of seven human rights defenders
By ting.ting
Created 2008/05/27 - 15:41
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the detention and torture of Shaker Mohammed Abdul-Hussein Abdul-Aal, Sadeq Jawad Ahmed Al-Fardan and Hasan Kathom Ebrahim Ahmed of the Unemployment Committee; Ali Mohamed Habib Ashoor and Habib Mohamed Habib Ashoor of the Committee for Detainees; Fadhel Abbas Mohamed Ashoor of the Committee Against High Prices; and Sayed Omran Hameed Adnan of the Committee Against One Percent. These human rights defenders are active defenders of labour rights in Bahrain.