Gulf Daily News – Vol XXVIII NO. 87 – Wednesday 15 June 2005
By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI
AN appeal against the forced closure of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) was dismissed by the Administrative Court yesterday.
This follows an earlier appeal, which was also dismissed by the High Civil Court in February this year.
BCHR officials said they were unlikely to lodge any further appeals, but would continue their activities.
The reason behind’s yesterday ruling was not made official by the judge, who is expected to present further details to lawyers in the next few days.
Gulf Daily News – Vol XXVIII NO. 87 – Wednesday 15 June 2005
By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI
AN appeal against the forced closure of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) was dismissed by the Administrative Court yesterday.
This follows an earlier appeal, which was also dismissed by the High Civil Court in February this year.
BCHR officials said they were unlikely to lodge any further appeals, but would continue their activities.
The reason behind’s yesterday ruling was not made official by the judge, who is expected to present further details to lawyers in the next few days.
The centre was closed by the then Labour and Social Affairs Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi last September, for allegedly breaching the 1989 Societies Law.
This followed a seminar on poverty organised by the centre at the Oruba Club, Juffair.
Centre officials could make a further appeal to Cassation Court, but they said yesterday that this was unlikely.
“There is a very small chance that we will appeal the ruling, since from the beginning we had very little hope for a court decision to re-open the centre,” said BCHR vice-president Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja.
“We believe that the court’s decision was the expected outcome, particularly when it was more political than judicial.”
Mr Al Khawaja said despite the court’s decision, the centre’s general assembly would continue its activities.
The Social Affairs Ministry warned earlier this month that the BCHR was breaking the law and ordered it cease all activities or risk prosecution.
“We believe that we have the right to continue our activities as rights activists, operating under a general assembly,” said Mr Al Khawaja.
“In addition, the current Societies law is not suitable as a framework for the activities of human rights groups.”
He said that the centre would continue to operate under its current status until a new law is issued to regulate human rights activities.