(BCHR/IFEX) - In a statement sent to the press, the Bahrain Ministry of Information (MOI) announced that it has referred one public website to the Public Prosecution (PP) for violating the 2002 Press Code. "Al-Ayam" newspaper reported that the public forum in question is known as the "National Edifice Forum (NEF)", http://www.wattani.net

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is gravely concerned about the continued clamp down on freedom of opinion and expression in Bahrain which resulted in preventing Sheikh Salah Al-Jowder from distributing his sermons for Friday prayers to the local newspapers.

Bahrain
International Religious Freedom Report 2008
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

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.

By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 20th September 2008

LAWYERS and human rights activists are demanding to see the results of medical examinations carried out on 19 murder suspects, who claimed they were abused in police custody.The men are standing trial for the murder of Pakistani policeman Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh, 24, in April.

They all denied the allegation when they first appeared in the High Criminal Court in June and alleged that confessions had been beaten out of them.

Sacked worker abandons vigil
By BEGENA P PRADEEP
Published: 19th SEPTEMBER 2008

A SACKED Bahraini worker yesterday gave up his lone stand against the might of Bapco against what he called victimisation.

Abbass Al Omran had sworn to carry on his fight on Wednesday, as he spent his second night camping out on the grassy traffic island outside the main Awali Gate.

However the father-of-three went home yesterday morning, after being ordered by police at midnight on Wednesday to take down his tent, since it was pitched illegally.

Bapco staffer sacked
Dejected Omran determined to continue peaceful protest
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter

A former head of the Bapco union claims he has been made to pay a heavy price for highlighting the shortcomings in that company. Abbas Al Omran was sacked on Tuesday for what he claims was for his union activities.
He said: “The manager handed me a letter stating my services were no longer required by the company. I was asked to leave immediately,” he told the Bahrain Tribune yesterday.

Human Rights Activist Fired after Exposing Corruption
Threats of Arrest by Police after 24 hour sit in
www.bahrainrights.org
BCHR Ref: 08091600

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) is highly concerned upon receiving news that the prominent human right activist and unionist Mr. Abbas Al Omran, member of the Bahrain Centre for Human rights and former member of the BAPCO www.bapco.net Workers Union, was fired today from his job. The Centre fears that this step taken by BAPCO (Bahrain Petroleum Company) comes as retaliation to Mr. Abbas’s activities and is related to Mr. Abbas’s exposure of members of the workers union and his allegation that they were receiving bribes from the company. In 2006 Mr. Abbas sent a letter to the company with information about these alleged bribes demanding answers, and he has been harassed ever since.

THREE human rights groups yesterday criticised the Social Development Ministry for its decision to freeze the Bahrain Nursing Society account, allegedly without informing the society.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, the now dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and the unofficial HAQ movement said in a statement that the nursing society was not involved in politics.

"It just raises awareness about public health such as diabetes and blood pressure," said the statement.

Bahrain: First historical occurrence: Detainees of Two Karzakan incidents prosecuted together
Ignored by Court: Repeated inhumane and ill-treatment asserted by detainees
Fears of Politically Motivated Ruling Glooms the Prosecution
www.bahrainrights.org

10 December 2008

Amalgamation and prosecution of two different cases:

At about 10am of Monday 8th September 2008, 28 young men were handcuffed and escorted, by civilian dressed security men, to their place in the High Criminal Court. Without any legal justification and to the bewilderment of the detainees, the lawyers, the families and the observers, all the detainees of the two “Karzakan incidents”, grouped in 15 and 19, were joined together in this court seated by judge, Shaikh Mohamed bin Ali Al-Khalifa-member of the Royal Family, irrespective of the differences in the circumstances, timing and charges of the two cases.

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — An American teacher has been charged in Bahrain with insulting the Prophet Muhammad for displaying pictures of Islam's founder to university students, a spokesman for the tiny Gulf nation's general prosecutor said Friday.

The spokesman, Nawaf al-Maawdah, said the pictures showed the prophet in ragged clothing.

Most interpretations of Islam forbid any depiction of Muhammad because it is seen as encouraging idolatry — one of the biggest sins in the religion.

12 September 2008
Bahrain is working to provide housing for its citizens, and is looking at a number of proposals to shorten the long waiting lists for those seeking state assistance in obtaining a home.

In its submission to the United Nation's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in April this year, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights warned that there was a housing crisis in the kingdom.

Urgent Action Needed

Imprisoned Since December 2007: Five Activists Appealing Hopelessly on 14th September Against 5-7 Year - Imprisonment Sentences Reportedly Based on Confessions Obtained Under Torture

10th September 2008

The BCHR appeals for the release of the following activists, who were sentenced on July 13th, 2008 for five to seven years imprisonment (BCHR REF: 08071301) and who will be brought before court of appeal on September 14th, 2008:

We, the undersigned institutions, express our deep concerns about the arbitrary administrative measures recently circulated by the Bahraini Ministry of Education, upon instructions from Civil Service Bureau (CSB), regarding punishment of state employees who participate in unauthorized public sit-ins and marches, even if outside office hours. This retribution includes those involved in activities which “disturb security and stability." According to the said circular, the punishment of CSB against public officials reaches to dismissal from work if they violated those laws and regulations, or in the case they were prosecuted and penalized through judicial proceedings as a result of those violations.

manama — Six opposition societies have objected to the Ministry of Education’s decision to sack employees and suspend students involved in illegal rallies and strikes.

The societies in a joint statement condemned a circular issued to all ministry’s schools and departments, warning employees and students of tough action if they violate the circular.

The authorities are sending wrong signals by imposing such a decision. It restricts freedom of expression, the statement highlighted.

Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter

Six human rights group have come together and urged the government to revoke its decision to sack government employees who participate in rallies or strikes.
Activist Nabeel Rajab told the Bahrain Tribune “ The authorities are sending wrong signals by imposing such a decision. It restricts a person’s right to freedom of expression.”
The resentment follows a decision by the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) to initiative legal proceedings against any government employee involved in illegal gatherings, sabotage or arson attacks.

Bahrain (2008)
Capital: Manama

Population: 800,000

Political Rights Score: 5
Civil Liberties Score: 5
Status: Partly Free

Overview

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Financial Times FT.comHOME UK
UKCloseThe transparency shortfall
By Simeon Kerr in Dubai

Published: September 4 2008 03:00 | Last updated: September 4 2008 03:00

Oman and Bahrain are home to the most transparent listed companies in the fast-growing Gulf, but the region continues to lag badly behind other developed and emerging markets, according to the latest research.

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Lone man's protest put on hold
By Aniqa Haider
Published: 5th September 2008

A BAHRAINI worker has agreed to put his one-man protest against Bapco on hold, while union officials investigate his victimisation claims.

Abbass Al Omran's allegations were discussed at a meeting yesterday between Bapco Trade Union and the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU).

Published: 1st September 2008

BLOGGERS, webmasters, and online journalists yesterday signed a code of ethics that promotes tolerance and unity for electronic media.

The Electronic Publishers' Code of Ethics Against Hate Speech was signed during a launch party held to coincide with International Blogger's Day.

Information Minister Jihad Bukamal, political societies and other VIP's attended the party.

The code of ethics is spearheaded by Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif and Al Waqt newspaper journalist Ahmed Al Aradi.

By Aniqa haider
Published: 1st September 2008

A BAHRAINI worker is staging a one-man picketing campaign against what he claims is victimisation by Bapco management.

Bapco projects engineer Abbas Al Omran claims he has been denied pay rises that others got and threatened with disciplinary action over his repeated demands for a better deal.

But management said pay rises and promotions were only given to those who deserved them and that Mr Al Omran's work was not up to the mark.

Parliamentary Human Rights Group Seminar: Bahrain; failed political experiment, serious HR violations

In March 2008, Islamic Human Rights Commission, made a submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review over two issues of grave concern in Bahrain:

1. 2006 elections
2. Citizenship law