Articles by Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Editor fined in defamation case
(BCHR/IFEX) – The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights is concerned by the use of the repressive and widely condemned Press Decree Code 47 (2002) against a local journalist and news editor. Jaafar Al Jamry from “Al Wasat” newspaper was handed a BD 150 (approx. US$396) fine by judges at the High Criminal Court on 16 […]
Twenty-one IFEX members, 34 other groups call for end to jailing and torture of demonstrators and human rights activists in Bahrain
(BCHR/IFEX) – The following is a joint appeal from BCHR, 20 other IFEX members and 34 other groups to the king of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa: Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa King of Bahrain Riffa, Bahrain Fax: +973 176 64 587 Your Royal Highness, We the undersigned national and international human […]
Postal authorities suspend union activist for speaking to media
(BCHR/IFEX) – On 6 February 2008, another union activist was punished for expressing her views on labour rights to the media. The Bahraini Postal Directorate of the Ministry of Transport suspended postal unionist Mrs. Najeya Abdulghaffar for 10 days without pay, on the allegation that she disclosed “job secrets”. Abdulghaffar, vice-president of the “unauthorized” Postal […]
Novel banned for allegedly defaming historic religious figure
(BCHR/IFEX) – BCHR has recently learned that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MIA) has once again refused to approve distribution of the novel “Omar . . . A Martyr” by Bahraini novelist Abdulla Khalifa. Omar Ibn Al-Khattab was the second Islamic Caliph after the prophet Mohammed and is regarded by Muslims as one of the […]
Authorities force cancellation of live programme on US president’s visit
(BCHR/IFEX) – The following is a 13 January 2008 BCHR statement: Rights Defender Forbidden Media Access The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its concern about the measures taken by the Bahraini authorities to terminate a live programme arranged by the Egyptian News Satellite with Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja – President of the BCHR – […]
Internet censorship denies citizens access to popular public forums, news, alternative information, says BCHR
(BCHR/IFEX) – The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its concern about the persistent measures taken by the Bahraini authorities to block the flow of information by preventing access to websites and popular online forums. There are over 535 websites based in Bahrain, focusing on 25 different themes. One-hundred and eleven of these sites […]
Security forces assault journalists covering repression of protest
(BCHR/IFEX) – According to the Bahraini Journalists Association (BJA) and eye witnesses, on 25 December 2007, the Bahraini Security Forces (BSF) harassed and verbally and physically assaulted journalists Ali Al-Shehabi (of “Al-Al-Ayam” newspaper), Husain Al-Orrayed (of “Al-Waqt” newspaper) and Mohammed Al-Mukharraq (of “Al-Wasat” newspaper). The BSF officers also confiscated the journalists’ mobile phones. The BSF […]
Postal union activist suspended from job over media statement
(BCHR/IFEX) – The Postal Directorate of the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) suspended union activist Jamal Ateeq from his job for five days without pay for expressing his views in the local media. Ateeq is the elected president of the “unauthorized” Postal Union (PU), one of the largest unions in Bahrain. […]