Bahrain closes Islamic organization over harassing governmental figures
Bahrain, Politics, 7/5/2005

Bahrain has closed an Islamic society accused of defaming government officials. The Bahrain's news agency quoted a statement for the ministry of social affairs and labor as saying that the Islamic labor organization will be closed for 45 days because of its violations of the principles and laws of printing and publications, but no further details were given.

However, the Bahraini minister of social affairs and Labor Fatimah Muhammad al-Baloushi said in press statements that speakers, in a celebrations held last week, defamed the reputation of government officials.

Witnesses and human rights activists said that members in the organization criticized during the celebration the ruling Bahraini family under the pretext that it deprived the people of Bahrain from their rights.

The organization's deputy chairman Saleh al-Khawajah said that the ministry's measure came after a celebration in which 73 persons were honored. These persons were jailed during the 1980s under the charge of planning for a coupe.

Al-Khawajah said that "members of the group were jailed and tortured and suffered, together with their families, from all that, and it is their right to be honored."

The King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa since his accession to power in Bahrain in 1999 introduced several political reforms including the release of prisoners of opinion. However, human rights activists still accuse the authorities of acts of torture and detention in dealing with the opposition.

Previous Stories:
  Bahrain: a demonstration against publishing Khamena's caricature   (6/29/2005)
  Manama: a demonstration against use of torture   (6/25/2005)
  Bahrain defends police oppression of unemployed demonstrators   (6/20/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search