By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 1 October 2006

FAMILIES of Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo Bay have reacted with dismay after a law was passed in the US, which will ban inmates from contesting their detention on US soil.

The law, approved by the US Senate on Thursday and currently awaiting ratification by US President George Bush, has already drawn criticism from international human rights bodies.

United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on torture Manfred Nowak has criticised the law for preventing detainees from contesting their imprisonment in court and for failing to adequately outlaw extreme interrogation tactics.

Khaleej Times

1 October 2006

MANAMA — Dr Salah Al Bandar, a British national of Sudanese origin who was deported from Bahrain earlier last month on charges of sedition with intentions of disturbing national unity and undermining the election process, is to address later this week an audience at the UK’s House of Lords, explaining his side of story.

According to a local daily, Bahrain Tribune, Al Bandar has the backing of Lord Avebury, vice-chairman of the UK’s Parliamentary Human Rights Group, who has in the past played a questionable role in trying to undermine the image of the kingdom. Consequently, the two have much in common.

BAHRAIN: PERSISTENCE TO THE USE OF FORCE TO BAN FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

http://www.haaq.org/en-US/42/ViewNews/37/116/Default.aspx

For three weeks in a row, the Bahraini Authorities have extensively deployed its Special Security Forces (SSF) to ban public from exercising its rights for freedom of expression. The SSF have been used to enforce or prevent violation of Code 32 of 2006 concerning "Public Gatherings, Processions and Assembly" [1] which is an amendment of Decree no 18 of 1973 [2]. Local civic societies [3] as well as internationally renowned organizations [4], showed deep concerns over the implementation of this law which extradites all forms of expression and protest in violation to Universal Declaration and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Maintaining Sectarian Division and Penetrating NGO’s

The Al Bander report: what it says and what it means

By Zara Al Sitari, Bahrain Center for Human Rights- September 2006

Less than a month after he was deported from Bahrain, Salah Al Bandar is to address an audience at the UK’s House of Lords. Obviously, he has found a kindred spirit in Lord Avebury, vice-chairman of the UK’s Parliamentary Human Rights Group.
In many circles Lord Avebury is seen as a person who has in the past played a questionable role in trying to undermine the image of Bahrain. Consequently, the two have much in common.
Short of that the Al Bandar saga has failed to capture the interest of the English media and there is scarcely any mention even in the tabloid press of his proclamations that he was called a ‘British spy.’ On the contrary, the man’s presence in the UK has been ignored.

Burning their boats, losing sight of the issues
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Contributor

A rally held by political societies near Bahrain Mall on the issue of naturalisation turned violent yesterday. Demonstrators had arrived in buses and cars and began to assemble near the mall. By noon a number of people had gathered. Many of them carried banner and placards calling for a stop to naturalisation.
The police had set up barricades to prevent them from approaching the road near Dana mall. Police Jeeps were stationed on the flyover to control the situation. But the rally turned violent when some of the protesters started to throw stones at the police. The latter had to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd and one man collapsed due to suffocation. Protesters also damaged a police motorcycle and burned a wooden boat placed as a showpiece under the flyover in Seef. The police immediately extinguished the fire though by that time the fire brigade too had arrived on the scene.The head of the rally’s organising committee, Saeed Al Majid, said the Ministry of Interior had informed him that they would be changing the rally route as it would affect the traffic movement.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 30th September 2006

A DEMONSTRATION against political naturalisation yesterday was described as "ironic" by organisers. As thousands of Bahrainis held the protest in Sanabis, organisers described how hundreds of naturalised Bahrainis in full riot gear stood by. But other than the demonstration ending half an hour earlier than intended, everything went smoothly and as planned, said National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) general secretary Ebrahim Sharif.

"It was a very peaceful demonstration," he told the GDN.

"The only thing we did not understand was why we were asked to change our route by the Interior Ministry."

MANAMA (AFP) - Several thousand people demonstrated in Manama denouncing what they said were government attempts to rig upcoming elections in favour of the ruling Sunni minority by naturalizing foreigners.

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The demonstration, which came barely two months before landmark elections, was attended by 10,000 people according to the organisers, who fired tear gas during the largely peaceful event. The police estimate was 4,000 protestors.

"Naturalizations have recently hit a new high, in particular for Asians, and the objective can only be to influence the results of the upcoming elections," Ibrahim Sherif of the Association of National Democratic Action told the crowd.

Friday 29 September 2006

MANAMA, (Reuters) - Several hundred Bahrainis marched on Friday against what they said was the mass naturalisation of foreigners, saying it would swing November elections in favour of the government and rob them of jobs.
Riot police closed off the upmarket Seef area of the capital Manama where protesters chanted "No to political naturalisation" and "There are no jobs for Bahrainis but foreigners are all employed." A police helicopter whirled overhead.
"The government is naturalising (foreigners), and these people are now calling themselves Bahrainis. Of course they are going to vote for the government," one demonstrator said.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 29 September 2006

A LAW was expected to be passed by the US Senate yesterday that would mean three Bahrainis at Guantanamo Bay cannot challenge their detention in American courts.

The bill, which has already been passed by the US House of Representatives, will take effect once ratified by US President George Bush.

More than two years ago, a US Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for Guantanamo Bay detainees to contest the legality of their imprisonment on US soil.

If passed, the new legislation overrides that decision and could leave the three Bahrainis, along with hundreds of others, stranded at the maximum-security facility, in Cuba, without the right to a trial in the US.

Published: 29 September 2006

POLITICAL and community leaders will announce today what action they are seeking over the Bandargate report, following a mass meeting last night.

Independent activists, political society members, MPs and municipal councillors called at the meeting for the resignation of a senior government official accused of financing the alleged secret organisation which the report claims has been at work.

Investigation

Some also urged a "rejection" of elections results if the official, who is directly involved in organising elections, is not removed.

Government officials implicated in the report should be detached from their involvement in the upcoming elections pending an investigation into the accusations against them, individuals urged.

Bahrain: Human Rights Associations plays Suspicious Roles in Handling National Issues

Falsifying GCDD Report

Smearing Political and Human Rights Activists' Reputation

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) was alerted by the report issued by Gulf Center for Democracy Development (GCDD)[1], which included the names of the human rights associations practicing suspicious roles in handling some national issues.

Human Rights associations and the suspicious role:

The report issued by Gulf Center for Democracy Development mentioned that some human rights associations; registered at the Ministry of Social Development play suspicious roles through pushing some issues to work for the favor of governmental authorities. The report clarified that these associations receives money for doing this. The report is enhanced with official documents including without limitation to bank checks signed by the directors of the above mentioned associations. Some daily newspapers published parts of the report showing the conspiracy between these associations and government officials with the purpose to achieve the governmental goals which harm the interests of the citizens and the country. One of the human rights associations mentioned in the report issued a press release offending Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

Scores of maids flee from their employers after what seems like a sleepover at their sponsor’s home seeking refuge at the OWWA shelter.
But Filipina household worker Leah Rea never had the luxury of taking a day off from chores in the last three years. She has been at the OWWA shelter for almost five months sitting and waiting for her sponsor to give her due.
She arrived in Bahrain almost three years ago to work for the Bahraini sponsor as a housemaid. Delayed and partially paid wages that included physical and verbal abuse took its toll when her sponsor’s son allegedly sexually molested her.

Palanichami’s sponsor promises financial help to family
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Contributor

The sponsor of Palanichami, Abdul Redha, has agreed to financially help the family and also make arrangements to send his body to India in a couple of days.
When asked as to how much he intended to pay, he said that whatever was due and some more would be paid.
Palanichami had been earlier working with a company for five years and had recently shifted to his new job.
The public prosecutor had earlier said that the case was being treated as one of suicide. This was substantiated by the autopsy report, which ruled out murder and called it a clear case of suicide.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 28th September 2006

THE Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) has pledged to take care of a 10-year-old boy who is stranded in Bahrain without his parents. Raja Thanee Prasad, who was abandoned by his Sri Lankan mother when he was two, was left to fend for himself when his Indian father was deported six weeks ago. He was born out of wedlock and was never officially registered, meaning he had no identity papers and was not allowed to leave the country.

An Indian friend of his father, Abdul Razzaq, 42, is currently taking care of the boy in Manama, but does not have the means to look after him.

By Sara Sami
Published: 28th September 2006

A POLICE photograph of a man found hanging in a village ma'atam shows his body with his hands and feet bound. But there is no evidence that 28-year-old painter C Palanichami was the victim of foul play, Public Prosecutor Mamdooh Al Moawda reiterated yesterday. He said police had ruled Mr Palanichami's death a suicide, because there was no evidence of a struggle or any other injuries.

Mr Al Moawda showed the GDN a picture of the Indian painter and carpenter's body hanging from a door frame on the second floor of a ma'atam in Al Qariya, near Budaiya, where it was found around 2.30pm on Monday.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 28th September 2006

THE man behind the Bandargate report was deported from Bahrain after being accused of spying for another country and plotting a coup, it was alleged yesterday. But Briton Dr Salah Al Bandar was not formally charged, despite the fact that such a serious crime carries the death penalty, says his Bahraini lawyer. Dr Al Bander is filing a court case by proxy in Bahrain, against his dismissal from the Cabinet Affairs Ministry and subsequent deportation.

Lawyer Abdulla Al Shamlawi has been given power of attorney to file the case on Dr Al Bandar's behalf and will put the case before the Administrative Court.

Last group released

Young men go home

The Higher Court has released the last group of people jailed for taking part in a rally.
They had taken part in the illegal rally on May 28 in Bani Jamra and damaged public property. The five accused appeared in court. According to the Public Prosecutor, they were the masked rioters whose pictures were published in the local newspapers. The Public Prosecutor accused the five of illegal gathering in a public place with the intention of rioting and disturbing the peace, as well as refusing police orders to disperse and damaging police cars. The rally was held in support of those who were jailed for holding an illegal rally at the Bahraini International Airport which followed when they heard that Sheikh Mohammed Sanad, a religious scholar, was detained upon arrival. Nada Al Abbas

Runaway told it’s futile to pursue the case
Ayla Marisse G Ginete
Contributor

A Filipina housemaid has been allegedly raped by the person who had helped her run away from her sponsor and recruiter.
G. C. (name withheld), who worked for a Bahraini sponsor for a few months, asked the household to send her back to the agency, claiming that she had been physically abused and forced to work longer than the normal working hours.
“I was made to work almost 24 hours a day, often left with nothing to eat. I couldn’t bear it any longer. I was treated like a slave in that household, not a human being,” Gina told the Tribune yesterday.

By SARA SAMI and BEGENA GEORGE

POLICE are treating the death of an Indian man found hanging in a village ma'atam as suicide, it was revealed yesterday.

But workmates insisted that 28-year-old painter C Palanichami was found with his hands and feet bound.

He had a family back home he doted on and would never kill himself, said colleagues at Aman Carpentry, in Sanad.

But police had ruled out foul play, since there was no evidence of anyone else being involved and no injury marks on Mr Palanichami's body, said Public Prosecutor Mamdooh Al Moawda.

He said the CID had assured the Public Prosecution that the death was suicide.

By kanwal tariq hameed
Published: 27 September 2006

BAHRAINI Guantanamo Bay detainee Juma Al Dossary holds the US military responsible for denying his father's dying wish - to be reunited with the son he had not seen for five years.

Juma Al Dossary spoke with his lawyer about the short visit from US military psychiatrists and a "cultural advisor", during which he was informed of his father's death.

"Juma told me that he could not describe the feelings he had in words," said lawyer Joshua Colangelo-Bryan.

"While hearing news about the death of a family member is difficult under any circumstances, it may be impossible to understand how difficult it is to hear such news when one is thousands of miles from home and being held indefinitely."

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 27 September 2006

A SECRET organisation's operation to influence the outcome of Bahrain's parliamentary elections was just the beginning of a five-year subterfuge, says the co-author of the Bandargate report.

Its long-term aim is to control Bahrain's political, economic and social fabric to suit its own purposes, says deported government consultant Dr Salah Al Bandar.

The elections are just part of the secret organisation's "five-year plan", being run by misusing the Central Informatics Organisation (CIO) and its facilities, said the Briton, who is married to a Bahraini.

MPs call for Al Bandar probe
By kanwal tariq hameed
Published: 27 September 2006

MEMBERS of human rights organisations, political societies and MPs are to meet tomorrow, to decide what action to demand over the Bandargate report.

They will hold a "national gathering" at the National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) premises tomorrow night.

MPs and civil societies yesterday called for an official investigation by an independent commission into the Bandargate allegations.

The allegations were made in a report allegedly compiled by activists at the Gulf Centre for Democratic Development (GCDD), after a six-month investigation.

PROBE CALL
By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 27 September 2006

MANAMA: A call went out yesterday for an independent inquiry into the Bandargate report - and the man behind it. Members of human rights organisations, political societies and MPs are to meet tomorrow, to decide what action to demand over the report.

They will hold a "national gathering" at the National Democratic Action Society premises on Thursday night.

Representatives from the Haq movement, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ed), Islamic Action (Amal) Society and the Constitutional Conference and a number of MPs are spearheading the gathering, which is expected to develop into a broader movement working for action over the report.

‘It is the Kingdom’s internal matter’
Meera Ravi
Staff Correspondent

Doubts over self-proclaimed rights activist Salah Al Bandar’s mountain of evidence deepened yesterday when the American, British and German embassies in Bahrain responded to the Tribune’s questions with different answers.
It may be recalled that Al Bandar had stated he had dispatched copies of his ‘evidence’ to three embassies, complete with documents of proof of whatever his accusations were. When the Tribune asked officials yesterday at the US embassy if they had received such a document, they replied with an official statement that they did not wish to comment on the matter in any fashion whatsoever. The German Embassy Press attaché Thomas Korke categorically denied that the Germans had received such a document or even a summary of the same. He said the German Embassy wanted it on record that they were not recipients of any such document.

By Eunice del Rosario
Published: 26th September 2006

EXPATRIATE workers have every right to know exactly how much they are going to earn in Bahrain per month before leaving their countries, says a top labour official. Labour disputes would be reduced if workers were fully aware of what to expect once they are in the country, said Labour Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

He was speaking during a meeting held at the ministry, in Isa Town, with ambassadors and officials from the Indian, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Thai Embassies.

The closed-door meeting on Sunday was the follow up to the meeting held on September 14 at the ministry between ministry labour relations director Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa and officials from the five embassies, including that from the Indonesian Embassy.

Marriage offer for rape victim
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 26th September 2006

A BAHRAINI man reportedly yesterday declared his love and proposed marriage to a Filipina housemaid, who claimed he repeatedly raped her over the last six weeks. A Philippine Embassy spokesman said the marriage proposal came two days after Marilen Gempesaw ran away from her employer's flat in Muharraq, claiming she was raped up to seven times by the man.

But when the 35-year-old maid refused his proposal, he agreed to hand back her passport, provide her air ticket back to Davao, southern Philippines, and give her BD60 for "compensation".

By SOMAN BABY
Published: 26th September 2006

WORKERS embroiled in a dispute with their company following the deaths of 16 colleagues in a labour camp blaze have still not been fully paid, it was revealed yesterday. Now the Labour Ministry is to set up a working group to tackle outstanding issues with Royal Tower Construction (RTC).

About 200 workers have resumed work after a gap of a month, even though the company has yet to implement the terms it had earlier agreed with the Labour Ministry.

Sixteen workers employed by RTC died when their labour camp in Gudaibiya was gutted by fire on July 30.

By BEGENA GEORGE and VINITHA VISWANATH
Published: 26th September 2006

MANAMA: A worker was found hanging, with his legs bound, in a ma'atam in Al Qariya, near Budaiya, yesterday, according to sources. Indian C Palanichami, 28, was found at around 12.30pm on the second floor, when his foreman went to check on him after being alerted by his colleagues, said sources.

The body had injury marks, the sources added.

They said Mr Palanichami, from Maavatam district of Tamil Nadu, came to Bahrain four months ago and had been working as a painter and carpenter at the Aman Carpentry Workshop, Sanad. He worked from 6am to 6pm.

Briton denies being a spy, describes plot to rig upcoming elections in Bahrain
The Associated Press

Published: September 24, 2006

CAIRO, Egypt A British citizen of Sudanese origin who was expelled from Bahrain last week denied being a spy and said in remarks published Sunday that he was punished for exposing a government plot to rig upcoming elections.

Salah al-Bandar told the independent daily Al-Wasat that he had exposed a "secret network operating within the government to deprive an essential part of the population of this country of their rights." He said the target was Bahrain's majority Shiite Muslims.

and Drive towards the Clash of Civilizations

Press release

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) has delivered today to the Ambassador of the Vatican in Cairo, a message addressed to His Holiness Father Benedict XVI, Pope of the Catholic Church and Head of the Vatican City State, signed by 38 Human Rights NGOs in the Arab world.

Below is the message and signatories:

A Message from 38 Human Rights NGOs in the Arab World

to the Pope of the Vatican in Reference to His Speech Made on the Fifth Anniversary of September 11 Attacks

Your Holiness Father Benedict XVI,

Al Bandar speaks out
Spy or ‘scholar’?

Saleh Al Bandar clearly has opted for the sanctuary of numbers because right through our conversation one thread is constant: “I did not act on my own, I acted only in my capacity as the Secretary General of the Gulf Centre for Democratic Development, not in my personal capacity.”
He repeats this sentiment again and again. He expresses regret over only one aspect: having to leave his wife and his home in a swank residential location in Bahrain. Obviously, he never thought he would be deported and he is still wrestling with that development.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 25 September 2006

PHILIPPINE Embassy officials have launched an investigation after a housemaid claimed she was advised by a recruitment agency in the Philippines to jump from a building or take excessive painkillers to have a miscarriage.

Fe Lastimosa Saludar, aged 33, says she miscarried her four-month-old foetus after falling down the stairs at her Bahraini employer's home, in Riffa, last month.

However, medical examiners in the Philippines and Bahrain allegedly failed to detect the pregnancy.

She told the GDN that she was not aware that she was already a month pregnant with her fourth child when she arrived in Bahrain in May this year.

Published: 25 September 2006

A "BOGUS" version of the Bandargate report is reportedly being circulated by an anonymous sender, allegedly as part of a "dirty tricks" campaign to discredit the original.

The original report, compiled by Briton Dr Salah Al Bandar and a team of investigators at the Gulf Centre for Democratic Development (GCDD), alleges that a secret organisation has been working to influence the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

But the allegedly bogus version carries photographs of three well-known opposition candidates, accusing them of receiving illicit payments.

Published: 25 September 2006

NEGOTIATIONS are underway between a Bahraini man and his former Filipina housemaid, who claims that he repeatedly raped her over a period of six weeks.

A medical test is due to be carried out soon to determine whether Marilen Gempesaw, aged 35, is pregnant with the man's child.

Ms Gempesaw ran away from her employer on Saturday at about 6am by jumping out of his flat's second floor window, in Muharraq, as he and his 12-year-old son slept.

She said that she feared for her life after her employer threatened to "stab me in the stomach" if she ever got pregnant.

By SARA SAMI
Published: 25 September 2006

AN ASIAN housemaid was arrested after her sponsor's wife found birth control pills in her bedroom.

"When she was confronted about the pills, the housemaid admitted to having an affair with an Asian worker she had met," said a Public Prosecution spokesman.

"The sponsor reported her to the police and when they questioned her, she confessed that she had met the worker when she was taking the garbage out.

"They kept talking on the phone after they met and she had invited him a couple of times to the house when the family was not around."

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 25 September 2006

EIGHTEEN prisoners were released from custody yesterday after receiving a royal pardon from His Majesty King Hamad.

All of those freed had been held in connection with the Dana Mall riots in Sanabis, in March, said human rights activist Nabeel Rajab.

He said 15 of the prisoners were released from the Dry Dock police station in Muharraq, two from Umm Al Hassan and the other from the CID headquarters in Adliya.

Supporters and relatives were set to gather at the dry dock police station in Hidd in wait for their loved ones release at 4pm, but the prisoners were let out in a low-key procedure at around 2.30pm, said Mr Rajab, vice-president of the now defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Reports of Injuries Due to Use of Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 06092400

Following the barrage of publicity in the Salah Al Bandar case over the past two days the furore cooled a little yesterday as the couple went off the radar. Efforts to contact the man who has been accused of engaging in what can be best called suspicious activities relating to the subversion of the forthcoming elections failed and all one got was a voice message from his Cambridgeshire home in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, his wife Layla who lives in Bahrain was also not answering her phones and the mobile was being received by a lady who identified herself as ‘a friend

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 24th September 2006

EIGHT workers, including a housemaid who claimed to have been repeatedly raped by her employer, were taken in at the Philippine Embassy's shelter, Zinj, yesterday - the first day of Ramadan. It takes the number of Filipinos seeking refuge at the shelter to 60.

The workers included four restaurant staff and housemaids, who claimed that their employers - whose nationalities included Bahrainis and an Egyptian - made them work up to 14 or even 18 hours a day.

Marilen Gempesaw, 35, told the GDN that her employer repeatedly raped her since he took her in, on August 12.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 24th September 2006

A BAHRAINI woman in her late 20s is recovering from injuries she sustained after being caught in a stampeding crowd being dispersed by police at a planned public seminar in Bilad Al Qadeem.

Police dispersed thousands of people who were attending the event organised by Al Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy on Friday evening after authorities declared the event illegal because no permission had been granted.

The woman, Nuzha Sayed Ahmed, was apparently on her way to a nearby cold store and was trampled by the crowd as they were being dispersed.

BANDARGATE!
Published: 24th September 2006

Bahrain is alive with speculation, following the deportation of a British man working as an adviser to the government, after the circulation of an unofficial report alleging malpractice in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. Here the GDN publishes for the first time, some of the allegations made in the report.

A "secret organisation", headed by a senior government official, has been working to influence the outcome of the parliamentary election later this year, it is alleged in a report by activists.

The man behind the report is Briton Dr Salah Al Bandar, who had been working as a strategic planning adviser to the Cabinet Affairs Ministry since October last year.

Published: 24th September 2006

BAHRAIN joins other countries on the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council tomorrow to try to establish a system for reviewing each state's fulfilment of its human rights obligations.

The UN Human Rights Council, which began its second session in Geneva last week, is mandated to carry out a "universal periodic review" of all countries.

The establishment of universal periodic reviews for all countries was a key institutional reform for the UN, which previously came under fire for "double standards" in reviewing countries.

"The council should address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon," according to UN resolution 1503. It also calls on states to "contribute, through dialogue and co-operation, towards the prevention of human rights violations and respond promptly to human rights emergencies". Current work at the council aims at establishing the foundations for how it will function in years to come, Bahrain's Ambassador to the UN in Geneva and member of the Bahrain delegation to the council Abdullatif Abdulla told the GDN.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 23 September 2006

MANAMA: Four Bahrainis, including a 30-year-old allegedly hit by a rubber bullet, were injured during rioting in Bilad Al Qadeem and Khamis last night.

Several youngsters burned tyres and garbage bins, and blocked traffic after police stopped Al Haq movement from holding a seminar on Bahrain's reforms.

More than 100 clashed with police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the demonstration.

Riot police sealed off the area and reinforcements were called in.

The rioting, witnesses said, hit several businesses.

The injured man was admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 23 September 2006

ASIAN embassies in Bahrain will be on standby this Ramadan as officials anticipate an influx of housemaids running away from abusive sponsors.

The Indonesian, Philippines and Thai Embassies, as well as leaders from the Ethiopian and Indian communities, are calling on employers to treat their maids fairly throughout the holy month.

They are concerned by a growing trend of more and more housemaids running away during Ramadan - complaining that they are overworked, forced to fast despite not being Muslims and required to stay up late to prepare meals for the families they work for.

Suicide bid worker is fed for the first time
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 22 September 2006

A man who slit his own throat with a carpet knife last weekend was yesterday fed for the first time since his suicide bid.

Rukmaya Tombaya Moolya was given a special liquid feed through a tube inserted into his nose at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

"He even sat up, took a few steps and sat on the sofa next to his bed," said one doctor, who asked to remain anonymous.

"We are extremely encouraged with his progress.

"We realised he had not had any food for the last six days and that is why took a decision to feed him. He has taken it very well."

Published: 21 September 2006

MANAMA: A British man working as a consultant for the Bahrain government has been deported, after circulating literature alleging irregularities in the run-up to parliamentary elections later this year.

Dr Salah Al Bander, who is also secretary-general of the non-government Gulf Centre for Democratic Development (GCDD), was put on a plane for London, leaving his Bahraini wife.

He was arrested by police at his GCDD office in Seef last Wednesday and questioned by a Public Prosecutor for two hours.

His Bahraini wife of 16 years, GCDD president and National Liberal Thought Society president Layla Rajab, said the police also took her laptop, computer, CDs, papers, invoices and various personal items from their East Riffa home.

MANAMA: His Majesty King Hamad last night issued a decree pardoning those convicted of taking part in illegal rallies and demonstrations. Several others involved in security and other cases were also included in the royal pardon. The Interior Ministry will now take measures to implement the decree.

By MOHAMMED AL A' ALI
Published: 21 September 2006

POLITICAL societies who met His Majesty King Hamad yesterday called for amendments to constituencies based on population and further powers for parliament.

National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) secretary-general Ibrahim Shareef, who attended the meeting, said His Majesty had promised to refer both issues to the new National Assembly for discussion.

"We have a constituency with 500 people, while another has 13,000, which obviously shows that the distribution of votes is not equal," he said.

"Election boundaries have been worrying us a lot and hopefully they would be redrawn to ensure fair distribution and proper representation."

By kanwal tariq hameed

HUMAN rights activists in Bahrain have launched appeals calling for the immediate deployment of United Nations (UN) troops in the violence-stricken region of Darfur, Sudan, where an estimated 200,000 people have died and more than two million been displaced.

Reports of indiscriminate attacks, as well as the rape and slaughter of civilian women and children, have been issued by human rights workers in Darfur, despite the deployment of 7,000 African Union peacekeeping troops.

A Darfur Peace Agreement was signed on May 5 this year between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) - one of the three main rebel factions.

By kanwal tariq hameed
Published: 20 September 2006

BAHRAINI detainees at Guantanamo Bay could lose the right to a US court hearing if a law currently being debated in the US Congress is passed, their lawyers said yesterday.

More than two years ago, a US Supreme Court ruling made way for Bahrainis Salah Al Blooshi, Isa Al Murbati, and Juma Al Dossary to challenge the legality of their detention in a US court.

The three have been imprisoned without trial for almost five years after being captured fleeing Afghanistan as it came under bombing from US and coalition troops in 2001.

Now, legislation being debated by the US Congress could override that decision and leave them stranded at the maximum-security facility without the right to a trial in US courts if it is passed.

Bahrain: Assembly Law and its dirty utilization against peaceful activities

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights monitored the prevention of a political seminar entitled "Nation's Petition: Stance and Results" which was supposed to be held on 15 September 2006 in the village of Alsenabs. Few hours before the beginning of the seminar, Security forces besieged the area and the executives of the seminar with a large number of anti-riot men. Also, some personnel of the neighborhood wherein the seminar was to be held were arraigned to eliminate it. They were also obliged to sign a commission not to hold the seminar. However, neighborhood officials refused to do so.

Bid to enhance transparency
Suad Hamada
Staff Reporter

The Bahrain Human Rights Society has sought government permission to visit the women’s prison.
Human rights activist Abdullah Al Derazi told the Women Gateway that the society had requested the Ministry of Interior twice for the visit, and been waiting for a reply.
Referring to the visit to the prison by the Supreme Council for Women as part of a study on Bahraini women for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Al Derazi said: “We appreciate the SCW’s initiative to empower women. But it is part of the executive authority and cannot be neutral in evaluating the living conditions of the prison which is run by the government.”

Filipino catches flight with honour intact
Ayla Marisse G. Ginete
Contributor

Patricio Mata, the alleged escapee from Ibn Sina Medical Company, has been declared a free man, ridding him of his runaway charges.
He left the country last night, with his name cleared and with his claim honoured for three months’ salary from ISMC. Friend and colleague, Bong Pineda, is relieved about the quick resolution of the case.
“I thought he may be held back for a month or two but now all is fine.”
“Initially, we thought ISMC would not budge, denying Patricio ever coming to work. He got his justice and was able to go home with his salary and honour intact,” he said.

By Rebecca Torr
Published: 19th September 2006

THIRTY Bahraini women have signed a petition that urgently calls for a family law to be passed, to end what they call injustice in the Sharia courts. The women, who are all victims of abuse, presented the appeal to the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases, which is backing the cause.

They are also collecting signatures from other victims of abuse who claim they have been unfairly treated in the courts.

Centre president Dr Banna Bu Zaboon said a family law must be passed and implemented urgently, because hundreds of people, especially women and children, were suffering.

By Mandeep Singh
Published: 19th September 2006

A MAN who survived after apparently slitting his own throat may actually have been attacked. It would be almost impossible for someone to inflict such a serious injury on themselves, doctors at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) said yesterday.

Indian Rukmaya Tombaya Moolya's throat was cut so deep the trachea and gullet were severed.

The 35-year-old bachelor was found lying in a pool of blood with his throat cut and a knife in his hand, in a lavatory in a building in Tubli, at about 9.30am on Saturday.

"Though we have the police version that it was a suicide attempt and we are not able to question that, the reality is that it is very unlikely that any man could inflict himself with such a wound," said consultant vascular surgeon Dr Sadiq Abdullah.

Abuse, illtreatment, non-payment of wages are their main grievances
Ayla Marisse G Ginete
Contributor

An average of 50 Filipina domestic workers every month approach the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Bahrain with complaints of abuse, illtreatment and wage delays.
The welfare of thousands of Filipino domestic workers in the Middle East is a critical issue that needs to be addressed with adequate measures, according to the labour attache at the embassy, Alejandro Santos.
“The problems of domestic workers exist in over a dozen countries in the region. Bahrain is no exception. All labour and OWWA posts in the receive increasing number of cases of rape, physical assault, non-payment of salary, illtreatment or unfair treatment,” Santos told the Tribune yesterday.

The timely intervention of a Bahraini saved the life of an Indian man who had reportedly tried to commit suicide. The man’s cut windpipe saved his life, medics told the Tribune yesterday.
Rughumaya Molya, aged 38 years, had slit his throat in the common bathroom of a three-storey building in Tubli on Saturday.
The Bahraini who owns a shop in the building premises found the man in a pool of blood and immediately called 999. When the medics arrived at the scene they found the man was still alive and rushed him to the emergency department of the Salmaniya Medical Complex.
“He had cut his throat severely but survived because the cut had pierced the windpipe; this inadvertently allowed him to breathe and also prolonged his life. He was brought to the hospital in the nick of time. We have operated and closed the wound. He is in a stable condition,” said a hospital official.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 18 September 2006

PARENTS and teachers should watch and listen for signals from their children that they may be being abused, say child protection workers.

Victims may be afraid or unable to tell their parents or teachers directly what is happening to them, says Be Free Anti-Child Abuse and Neglect Centre training programme co-ordinator Fatima Frutan.

Parents and teachers play an important role in protecting children from becoming victims of abuse, or putting an end to it.

Many children will look for a way to let their parents or teachers know that they are being abused - and parents in particular must listen carefully for such hints, said Ms Frutan.

Published: 18 September 2006

ABOUT 30 female victims of abuse attended a workshop to help boost their self-esteem at the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases, on the Budaiya Road last night.

Participants in the Strengthening Women's Self-Esteem workshop were given information to help them recognise the warning signs of violence and protect themselves from abuse.

They are also taught strategies for resisting violence and given training in relaxation techniques and hypnotherapy.

The free course, under the patronage of the Supreme Council for Women, is conducted by centre president Dr Banna Bu Zaboon and counsellor Kadra Ahmed, from 5pm to 7pm until tomorrow. To contact the centre call 17597777.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 18 September 2006

THE Bahrain Women's Union is planning to step up its programmes now that its nine-member board has been elected after six years of struggle to get it officially recognised by the government.

Founding member Fatima Rabea said that although it was a long ride, she was glad that the union was established the way that the members wanted it to be.

"Now we will work hard to make up for the lost time, although we have launched some programmes informally, including our political empowerment programme, personal status law campaign, our anti-violence drive against women activities and our campaign to make the government recognise the children of Bahraini women married to foreigners as Bahraini nationals.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 18 September 2006

MORE manpower agencies have reportedly been blacklisted by the Philippines Embassy, sparking complaints from recruiters who claim the practice is illegal.

Over 50 Bahrain recruitment firms and individual employers are now understood to have been placed on the embassy's blacklist, which means the embassy will not process contracts for Filipino workers on their behalf.

Earlier this month the Indian Embassy said it had blacklisted a total of 49 Bahraini firms for allegedly cheating their workers.

However, Bahrain Recruiters Society (BRS) president Ali Alshoala claimed the blacklisting of manpower agencies, companies and individual employers went against Bahrain's Labour Law.

Complaints involving Indians in Bahrain rising

Indo-Asian News Service

Dubai, September 17, 2006

Sep 9: Dues denied to Indian workers of Bahrain firm »
Aug 11: Indian workers on strike in Bahrain »

Kerala Assembly deputy speaker John Baby has expressed concern over the increasing number of complaints involving Indian workers in Bahrain.

Baby, who ended his Bahrain visit on Saturday, said better coordination between Bahrain and India was required to eliminate such complaints, reports the Gulf Daily News.

"The number of labour issues being reported are increasing, which is definitely not a good sign for relations between Bahrain and India," he said.

HAQ: Movement of Liberties and Democracy-Bahrain

Special Forces Enforcing Law to Ban Public Gatherings in BAHRAIN

17th September 2006

On July 20th, 2006, Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khlafa- Bahraini Head of the State- ratified Code 32 of 2006 concerning "Public Gatherings, Processions and Assembly" [1] which is an amendments of Decree no 18 of 1973 [2]. Local public and civic societies [3] as well as international renown organizations, like Human Rights Watch [4], Amnesty International [5], Article 19 [6] and International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) [7]. They expressed deep concerns over the implementation of this law which meant to exercise utter silence on the freedom of expression, association and protest in Bahrain. It has been envisaged that the implementation of such law will create the environment for destabilization of the social tranquillity and work of civic establishments.

Cairo, September 17, 2006

In the Global Day of Solidarity with Darfur:

Human rights organizations condemn the on-going deterioration of humanitarian situation in Darfur and call upon the Sudanese Government to accept the deployment of the UN forces

Statement from 31 Organizations in 10 Arab Countries

Rising abuse cases 'a cause for concern'
By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 17 September 2001

A VISITING Indian MP yesterday rapped the increasing number of labour complaints reported in Bahrain.

Kerala Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Jose Baby said further efforts were required for co-ordination between Bahrain and India to eliminate such cases.

He, however, said that Bahrain was the best among other GCC countries in regards of dealing with expatriate workers.

"Compared to the other Gulf countries, Bahrain must undoubtedly be appreciated for treating its expatriate population with better respect," said Mr Baby to the GDN.

... But Juma’s health deteriorating
By Meera Ravi
Staff Correspondent

Lawyer Joshua Colangelo Bryan whose firm represents the three Bahraini detainees in Guantanamo Bay yesterday issued a strongly-worded denial of rumours in the Saudi media that Juma Al Dossary had contracted HIV.
“I wish to emphasise that earlier reports in the Saudi media that Juma had contracted HIV are utterly and completely false. I was horrified to learn that anyone would even suggest such an idea,” he said.
However, he expressed concern for Juma’s health and said military doctors had told him that he is anaemic and was suffering from very low blood pressure. Because of his stomach problems for which he receives antibiotics, Juma generally eats only bread and cheese. In fact, he reports that although he weighed 85 kg when he arrived at Guantanamo, he now weighs about 65kg, having lost five kg recently.

UN is urged to bolster democracy
By kanwal TARIQ hameed
Published: 17 September 2001

A BAHRAIN human rights group has joined a national campaign calling on the United Nations Democracy Caucus to act "urgently" to strengthen its record on human rights and democracy.

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) along with more than 40 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from countries including the USA, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Belgium, the UK, India, Italy, Vietnam and Morocco, is calling for "concrete measures" from the UN organ to promote democracy at national, regional and international levels.

Therapy for abused
By Rebecca Torr
Published: 17 September 2001

FEMALE victims of abuse will be given advice and therapy to help re-build their self-esteem during a three-day workshop that begins at the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases on Budaiya Highway tonight.

The free course, under the patronage of the Supreme Council for Women, will be conducted by centre president Dr Banna Bu Zaboon and counsellor Kadra Ahmed, from 5pm to 7pm daily, until Tuesday.

The workshop, under

the title, Strengthening Women's Self-Esteem, will give participants information to help them recognise the warning signs of violence and protect themselves from abuse.

Only 2 weeks after Banning Seminar on “Political Neutralization:

Bahraini Authorities Ban Public Seminar with Threats and Security Blockade

Fear of Excessive & Disproportionate Penalties for Activists

Bahrain Centre for Human Rights

Ref: 06091600

Bahrain

International Religious Freedom Report 2006
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

The constitution states that Islam is the official religion and also provides for freedom of religion; however, there were some limits on this freedom.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the reporting period. The Government continued to subject both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims to some governmental control and monitoring, 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.

BD100,000 for NGOs

Ministry invites welfare projects

About BD100,000 aid would be given to NGOs for their social development projects.
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Fatima Al Belushi, told the Press yesterday that the allocation would be made from the ministry’s special Social Security Fund.
The fund would select the best projects. The NGOs registered with the ministry should submit proposals to the ministry until October-end. The approved programmes would be announced in November.
Dr Al Belushi said the projects would be evaluated by social and financial experts in Bahrain and abroad. The grant could reach BD20,000.

Remittances by migrants 'more than global aid'
By AMIRA AL HUSSAINI in New York
Published: 15 September 2006

Remittances sent by migrants from developing countries to their families back home exceeds the total of all international aid combined, a key UN conference heard last night.

The first-ever plenary session of the UN General Assembly on migration issues brought to the forefront ways to maximise the development benefits of migration and reduce its difficulties globally.

The two-day High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development was addressed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and General Assembly president Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa.

Minimum wage 'is key to cut abuse'
Published: 15 September 2006

SETTING a minimum wage not only for housemaids, but also for other foreign workers, would prevent their exploitation by abusive employers, said a Pakistan Embassy official.

"The minimum wage is a bigger question not only confined to housemaids," said community welfare consular Habib Ur Rehman, who represented his embassy at the meeting held at the Labour Ministry with labour relations director Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa yesterday.

"Although Pakistan does not send its women to work as maids, I believe there should be a minimum wage for other workers because it will prevent the exploitation of workers by employers.

By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 15 September 2006

A PRISONER collapsed in court and another three reportedly required attention yesterday after staging a hunger strike apparently lasting two weeks.

The men are among 19 defendants who have been charged with staging an illegal demonstration, clashing with police and damaging public and private property at Al Dana Mall, Sanabis, in March.

All appeared in the High Criminal Court yesterday after being held in police custody for the last six months.

However, at the end of the hearing one collapsed and at least two others appeared to be almost unconscious - with supporters throwing water on their faces to keep them awake.

Call for an end to the Harassment of Human Right Activists in the Region
Harassment of Prominent UAE Human Rights Activists by Special Security Forces
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 06080400