Jobs In Bahrain

About 70 percent of the 30,000 new Jordanian jobs resulting from the free trade agreement have gone to women, Zoellick said. The trade representative said he and Jordan's King Abdullah planned to inspect a $175 million Jordanian-U.S. joint venture June 23 that had come about as a result of the free trade agreement. He added that the U.S. software giant Microsoft is investing in Jordan and Cisco Systems is establishing an academy for a two-year program in computer training. ... [Read More]

BMENA - US Department of State
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Department of State Washington File: Text: USTR Zoellick Goes to Mideast on Mission to Promote Trade

Prior to the WEF, Zoellick will join WTO trade ministers in Egypt for an informal meeting to discuss the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations, hosted by Egyptian Trade Minister Boutris Ghali. The meeting is intended to review progress to date in the negotiations. The meeting will help prepare for the WTO's 5th Ministerial Conference, September 10-14, in Cancun, Mexico. At the heart of the agenda will be the talks on agriculture. Ministers meeting in Egypt are expected to consider the state of play in these talks, especially in light of the European debate over the recommended reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. While Ministers will focus on the range of issues in the negotiations, it is clear that the progress in agriculture will set the pace for progress in other areas of the negotiations. Zoellick noted that the DDA holds out the promise of important cuts in tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to trade, which is essential to global economic growth. ... [Read More]

Details of Proposed Middle East Initiatives
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Bahrain

The Constitution states that Islam is the official religion and also provides for freedom of religion; however, there were some limits on this right. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. In the past, the Government did not tolerate political dissent, including from religious groups or leaders; however, in 2001 the King pardoned and released all remaining political prisoners and religious leaders. In 2002, the King issued a new Constitution and held municipal council and National Assembly elections. The Government continues to subject both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims to some governmental control and monitoring, and there continues to be government discrimination against Shi'a Muslims. Members of other religions who practice their faith privately do so without interference from the Government. Th ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

Bahrain

In February the Amir annulled the 1974 State Security Act, which had superseded the Constitution and permitted arbitrary arrest and detention, incommunicado and prolonged detention, and forced exile. By February 14, the Amir had released all remaining political detainees and prisoners and invited nearly all exiles to return with full citizenship rights. Most have done so. The Amir also abolished the State Security Court, which held secret trials and provided few procedural safeguards. Nonetheless, impunity remains a problem; there were no known instances of security force personnel being punished for abuses committed during the year or in the past. The abolition of the State Security Court restored to the public the right to a fair public trial. The judiciary is nominally independent, but it still remains subject to government pressure. The press has published allegations that some judges are corrupt. The Government continued to infringe to some extent on citizens' privacy rights. The ... [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

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
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