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.

http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article5400

Monday Recommendations to the Government of Bahrain on the occasion of the 1st Universal Periodic Review Session, April 20087 April 2008

Recommendations to the Government of Bahrain on the occasion of the 1st Universal Periodic Review Session, April 2008

Issued by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organisations in Bahrain, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS)

1.Equality and non-discrimination

Posted : Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:13:12 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : World
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Geneva - The UN Human Rights Council's new mechanism for examining the human rights record of all 192 UN members in a rolling programme was put to the test for the first time Monday. Bahrain was among the first wave of 16 countries chosen to be scrutinized under the so-called universal periodic review mechanism in this first session which lasts until April 18.

NDAS opposes wage cut, will pay twice-sacked vice president a fixed amount every month
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter

In an unprecedented move, the National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) has set up a fund to assist Postal Workers Union vice president Najeeha Abdul Ghaffar.
This is the first time a political society has created a fund for a unionist. Najeeha will be paid a fixed amount from the fund which has been contributed by society members.

OPEN LETTER TO SHEIKH HAMAD BIN ISA AL-KHALIFA,
Paris - Geneva, April 3, 2008

Re: Ongoing acts of harassment against Ms. Najiya Abdulghaffar

Your Highness,

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), expresses its deepest concern over various acts of harassment against Ms. Najiya Abdulghaffar, Vice-President of the Post Office Trade Union, affiliated to the Bahrain General Federation of Trade Unions (BGFTU).

According to the information received, on March 19, 2008, Ms. Abdulghaffar was informed that a new investigation on her activities had been initiated. It is the sixth investigation that has been launched against her since her election as Vice-President of the trade union in 2003.

THE PLIGHT OF SRI LANKA’S ENSLAVED MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS AND SISTERS

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.

by Joel Bowman on Sunday, 09 March 2008

RIGHTS ISSUES: The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights slammed the government on Saturday over issues regarding the rights of women in society. (Getty Images)
A Bahrain rights group on Saturday slammed the government for failing to address the plight of women in Gulf state, claiming women were still widely discriminated against and enjoyed few freedoms in general society.

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.