Living In Bahrain
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In February the Amir annulled the 1974 State Security Act, which had superseded the Constitution and permitted arbitrary arrest and detention, incommunicado and prolonged detention, and forced exile.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
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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Background Notes Archive - Near East and North Africa
U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Bahrain, October 1996Bureau of Public AffairsOfficial Name: State of BahrainPROFILEGeographyArea: 693 sq. km. (268 sq. mi.); about four times the size of Washington, DC. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of 33 islands, only six of them inhabited.Cities: Capital--Manama (pop. 145,000--1993 est.). Other city--Al Muharraq (81,000--1993 est.).Terrain: Low interior plateau and hill on main island.Climate: Hot and humid from May-September, temperate from October-April.PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Bahraini(s).Population (1996 est.): 586,000; 66% indigenous.Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%.Religions: Shi'a and Sunni Muslim.Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu.Education: Attendance--73%. Literacy (1990 est.)--77% (male 82%, female 69%).Work force (1987 est.): 197,000 (about 44% indigenous, 56% expatriate). Industry and commerce--74%. Services--19%. Agriculture--4%. Government--3% ... [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
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]
US Department Of State Post Report
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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 (11/04)
The first Gulf state to discover oil, Bahrain has worked to diversify its economy over the past decade. Bahrain has stabilized its oil production at about 40,000 barrels per day (b/d), and reserves are expected to last 10-15 years. Revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for 16.5% of GDP and provide about 60% of government income. The Bahrain Oil Company refinery built in 1935, the first in the Gulf, has a capacity of about 250,000 b/d. Since 1980, 60% of the refinery has been owned by the Bahrain National Oil Company and 40% by the U.S. company Caltex. Saudi Arabia provides most of the crude for refinery operation via pipeline. Through an agreement with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain also receives a large portion of the net output and revenues from Saudi Arabia's Abu Saafa offshore oilfield. The Bahrain National Gas Company operates a gas liquefaction plant that utilizes gas piped directly from Bahrain's oilfields. Gas reserves should last about 50 years at present rates of c ... [Read More]
Bahrain
U.S. Department of State [Read More]
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