April 7, 2008

The government has done little to institutionalize in law protection of basic rights in the aftermath of the important reforms decreed by the king, Shaikh Hamad bin `Isa Al Khalifa in 2001-02. New laws have been adopted containing provisions that undermine freedom of assembly, association and expression. The Human Rights Council, in its review of Bahrain�s human rights record, should assess this legislation and recommend steps to bring existing legislation, especially in the areas of freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and accountability for grave crimes such as torture, into compliance with international human rights standards.

Apr 3rd 2008 | MANAMA
From The Economist print edition

A put-upon majority feels done down—and is getting angry

THE monarchy of Bahrain regards itself as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. It was the first in the Gulf to give all its citizens the vote, setting up a partially elected parliament, albeit with limited powers, in 2002. Yet in the past few months its officials concede that in an average week there have been more than two riots and five public protests.

Most of the unrest takes place outside the predominantly Sunni capital, Manama, in poorer, mostly Shia, villages. No official statistics are published but some villagers say that a third or even half of them have no jobs. Bahrainis are readier to work in menial jobs than their wealthier counterparts in Kuwait or the United Arab Emirates but cheap foreign workers depress wages. A typical foreign construction worker is housed in a labour camp, cannot bring his family to Bahrain and earns around $160 a month, which would barely support a Bahraini family with four or five children.

Bahrain
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2007
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
March 11, 2008

Bahrain is a monarchy with a population of approximately 725,000, approximately 430,000 of whom are citizens, according to official figures. King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa is the head of state and all branches of government. The king appoints a cabinet of ministers, half of whom are members of the Al‑Khalifa royal family. The 2002 constitution reinstated a legislative body with one elected chamber, the Council of Deputies, and one appointed chamber, the Shura Council. All political societies participated in the November and December 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Trained local observers did not report significant problems during the elections, although there were allegations that the government manipulated general poll center vote counts in some cases and gerrymandered political districts. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL- Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Geneva, 7-18 April 2008

25 February 2008

Bahrain
This report is a summary of 12 stakeholders’ submissions1 to the universal periodic review. It follows the structure of the general guidelines adopted by the Human Rights Council. It does not contain any opinions, views or suggestions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), nor any judgment or determination in relation to specific claims. Information included therein has been systematically referenced in endnotes and, to the extent possible, original text submitted has not been altered. Lack of information or focus on specific issues is due to the absence of submissions by stakeholders regarding these particular issues.
All submissions received are available on OHCHR website. The periodicity of the review for the first cycle being of four years, information reflected in this report mostly relates to events occurred after 1 January 2004.

Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter

The government is depriving a large number of people of their rights and opportunities and forcing their exodus to other GCC nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says in a report.
The observation is based on shadow reports by 12 stakeholders, including Bahrain Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy and a joint report by the Bahrain Human Rights Society and the defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Bahrain is at a crossroads.This small island state of
less that 700 sq km has seen significant progress in
respect for human rights, including press freedom,
since Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa took over
as emir on his father’s death in 1999, but a lot
remains to be done. At the same time, the regional
environment is fraught.The war in Iraq and the
heightened violence between Shiites and Sunnis
have had an impact on the emirate, which became
a kingdom in 2001. Saudi Arabia, which allows
Bahrain to pump oil from a field yielding around
140,000 barrels a day, is a powerful neighbour that
could prove touchy.And the demographic balance
between the state’s two largest communities, the
majority Shiites and the minority Sunnis, who are
in power, leads to tension.

Issued by: the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, January 15, 2008

Lord Avebury speech, the Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group

Bahrain seminar, Moses Room, December 19, 2007,

A year ago our theme was ‘elections without democracy or human rights’. We noted that in Bahrain, there is a pretence of democracy whilst all the sinews of government are bent to maintaining the absolute rule of the al-Khalifa family, with the assistance of others who benefit financially from the regime.

The Persian Gulf nation's rulers are Sunni Muslim. An activist's death set off street battles between Shiites and security forces.
By Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 27, 2007
BEIRUT -- An uneasy calm returned to the oil-rich Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain on Wednesday after a week of clashes between Shiite Muslim opposition groups and forces of the Sunni-dominated government.

Bahraini Shiites clash with riot police
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 12/18/2007 02:37:30 PM MST

SANABIS, Bahrain—Hundreds of Bahraini Shiites clashed with riot police Tuesday after the funeral of a protester who died after a similar confrontation a day earlier.
Police used tear gas and chased the protesters through the streets of Sanabis, a village on the outskirts of Manama, capital of the small island kingdom. Protesters hurled stones at police and burned tires as the turmoil stretched into the evening.