ALERT – BAHRAIN
19 October 2007
Film banned
SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama
(BCHR/IFEX) – The Hollywood film “The Kingdom”, which explores the “war on
terror” through a fictional story happening in Saudi Arabia, has been
banned in Bahrain. This act was confirmed by the Publication and Press
Directorate of the Ministry on Information without indicating the reasons
behind the censorship order.
The film depicts an FBI investigation of two terrorist bombing attacks that
ALERT – BAHRAIN
19 October 2007
Film banned
SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama
(BCHR/IFEX) – The Hollywood film “The Kingdom”, which explores the “war on
terror” through a fictional story happening in Saudi Arabia, has been
banned in Bahrain. This act was confirmed by the Publication and Press
Directorate of the Ministry on Information without indicating the reasons
behind the censorship order.
The film depicts an FBI investigation of two terrorist bombing attacks that
took place in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh in May 2003 and in Al-Khobar in June
1996, during which over 100 people of different nationalities were killed.
Previously, the Bahraini authorities had banned other films from being
viewed in cinemas, including the religious film “The Passion of the
Christ”, which was banned last year on the grounds that it was against
Islam because it depicted a prophet (Jesus).
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its concerns at how freedom
of expression is being targeted and curtailed. This ban is part of a long
series of prohibitions and censorship which did not spare artistic
products, novels and documentaries.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to the Bahraini authorities:
– urging them to lift the ban on films of a documentary nature which
exhibit no offence to public beliefs and/or traditions
– asking that they cease making decisions on behalf of the public and
viewers
– urging them to take measures to amend Press and Publication Decree code
no 47 of 2002 to ensure its compliance with international declarations and
covenants
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Riffa, Bahrain
Fax: +97 3 1 721 1363
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa
Cabinet Prime Minister
Fax: +97 3 1 721 1363
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
For further information contact Nabeel Rajab, Vice-President, BCHR, Manama,
Bahrain, tel: +973 3963 3399 / 3940 0720, fax: +973 1779 5170, e-mail:
nabeel.rajab@bahrainrights.org, info@bahrainrights.org, Internet:
http://www.bahrainrights.org