Bahraini societies criticizes information minister Nabil al-Homer
Bahrain, Politics, 6/12/2003

Six political organizations in Bahrain considered statements published by local papers on Monday by the minister of information Nabil Yaqoub al-Homer about the freedom of the press as "painful attack for public freedoms" in the country. The organization called on the minister to reconsider his statements.

In a statement issued on Wednesday ( yesterday), these organizations said the statements of the minister came to remind of the phase of the state security law and the attempt to return back to "square number one," the era of political unrest and confiscation of public freedom, especially the freedom of publication and expression."

The minister of information said in a meeting he had held with local papers chief editors last Sunday and issued next day that he refused the mass media to be exploited to destroy the reform project. He called on the press to make a distinction between how to make use of freedom and exploiting freedom.

The minister added that what is wanted is not to convert the press and the media to means of provocation that raise sedition in society, saying "it is wrong to leave the press and the other mass media flaring up the public and escalates outdated issues in society." In its statement, the organizations considered that what was stated by the minister was an attempt to deprive the political organizations and civil society establishments from the freedom of expression concerning various issues. A right guaranteed by the constitution and the national work charter and all international norms and agreements.

The six organizations which signed the statement are the democratic national work organization; ( a coalition of left, nationalists and independents ), the Islamic national reconciliation which represents the main trend among the Shiite; the Islamic work ( a Shiite representing the Sherazi trend, the Islamic Arab circles ( Sunni nationalists and Islamists ); the democratic national coalition ( Baathists nationals ) and progressive democratic forum ( left).

Previous Stories:
  Under charge of defaming a Bahraini activist lawyer was summoned to court   (6/5/2003)
  Bahraini demand trial of persons who commit torture crimes   (5/28/2003)
  Gulf Daily News: Parties to be part of Bahrain's political life   (2/4/2003)

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