Bahrain Country
1997 Human Rights Report - Bahrain
The Information Ministry exercises sweeping control over all local media. Newspapers are privately owned, but they routinely exercise self-censorship of stories on sensitive topics. The Government does not condone unfavorable coverage of its domestic policies by the international media and has occasionally revoked the press credentials of offending journalists. Since the Ministry also sponsors foreign journalists' residence permits, this action can lead to deportation. In July the Government revoked the press credentials of a resident Deutche Presse-Agentur correspondent and ordered her out of the country on grounds that she had endangered the country's national security by filing an unsubstantiated report on local political developments. The Government generally afforded foreign journalists access to the country and did not limit their contacts on the island. ... [Read More]
Bahrain
Bahrain is a monarchy which, in 2002 adopted a constitution that reinstated a legislative body with one elected chamber. The Al-Khalifa extended family has ruled the country since the late 18th century and continues to dominate all facets of society and government. The King, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, governs the country with the assistance of his uncle, the Prime Minister; his son, the Crown Prince; and an appointed cabinet of ministers. The King chairs the Higher Judicial Council. Members of the Al-Khalifa family hold 9 out of 24 cabinet positions, including all "strategic ministries." The partially elected National Assembly consists of an elected Council of Representatives and an appointed Shura Council. However, the courts have ruled against the Government in the past. The National Action Charter provides that the King is the head of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The Constitution gives the elected Co ... [Read More]
Bahrain
Most, if not all, of the members of the Damascus-based Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Bahrain and the Copenhagen-based Bahrain Human Rights Organization have returned to the country since the 2001 referendum on the National Action Charter. The London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement and the Beirut-based Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain remained active outside the country, but Bahrain Freedom Movement leader Dr. Mansur Al-Jamry returned to the country in December 2001 and established an independent newspaper in September (see Section 2.a.). Previously, Bahrain Freedom Movement leader Dr. Majid Al-Alawi returned in January 2001 to become Assistant Secretary General for the Bahrain Center for Studies and Research, the country's only think tank. On November 11, Dr. Al-Alawi was named Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. ... [Read More]
Bahrain
RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTSSection 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports of arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of life committed by the Government or its agents. On April 27, the High Civil Court ordered the Ministry of Interior to pay BD 40,000 ($106,100) to the family of the 21-year old Bahraini man killed in a demonstration in April 2002. b. Disappearance There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. c. Torture and Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The Constitution prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. During protests on May 21, two civilians were injured by rubber bullets fired by the police. On October 28, rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by the police injured two protest ... [Read More]
Bahrain
Restrictions on freedom of association and expression sometimes hinder investigation or public criticism of the Government's human rights policies; however, in May the Government registered the Bahrain Human Rights Society, the first local nongovernmental human rights organization. The Society began an active campaign to raise human rights awareness in the country, holding several seminars and workshops. The society also sent representatives to attend the World Conference on Racism in Durban. Most, if not all, of the members of the Damascus-based Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Bahrain and the Copenhagen-based Bahrain Human Rights Organization have returned to the country since the February referendum on the National Action Charter. The London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement and the Beirut-based Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain remain active outside the country, but Bahrain Freedom Movement leader Dr. Mansur Al-Jamry returned to the country in December to establi ... [Read More]
Bahrain
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Bahrain is a hereditary kingdom, governed by the Al-Khalifa family. In 2002, the country became a monarchy with a constitution that reinstated a legislative body, one of whose chambers is elected. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices. Bahrain is a modern, developed country and tourist facilities are widely available. The capital is Manama. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Bahrain at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26414.htm for additional information. ... [Read More]
Background Notes: Bahrain
Background Notes: BahrainPA/PCSource: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public AffairsDate: Nov 28, 199111/28/91Category: Country DataRegion: MidEast/North AfricaCountry: BahrainSubject: Military Affairs, Cultural Exchange, Travel, History, International Organizations, Trade/Economics[TEXT]Official Name: State of BahrainPROFILEGeographyArea: 693 sq. km. (268 sq. mi.); about four times the size ofWashington, DC. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of 33 islands,only 5 of them inhabited. Cities: Capital--Manama (pop. 122,000--1985 est.). Other city--Al Muharraq. ... [Read More]
Bahrain
Country Study (Library of Congress) ... ... [Read More]
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