By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 21 October 2007
A GROUP of human rights activists in Bahrain have written to His Majesty King Hamad and Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa urging them to lift a ban on the Hollywood film The Kingdom.
The now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) says the movie, which is also banned in Kuwait, should not be forbidden as it exhibits no offence to public beliefs or Islamic traditions.
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 21 October 2007
A GROUP of human rights activists in Bahrain have written to His Majesty King Hamad and Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa urging them to lift a ban on the Hollywood film The Kingdom.
The now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) says the movie, which is also banned in Kuwait, should not be forbidden as it exhibits no offence to public beliefs or Islamic traditions.
It expressed concern at how freedom of expression is being curtailed through the banning of films and called on the country’s leadership to amend Press and publication law to ensure its compliance with international declarations and covenants.
“This ban is part of a long series of prohibitions and censorship which did not spare artistic products, novels and documentaries,” said a BCHR spokesman.
The film, which is being shown uncensored in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, explores the “war on terror” through a fictional story happening in Saudi Arabia. Information Ministry publications and Press director Jamal Dawood earlier confirmed the film had been banned, but would not comment further.
? Gulf Daily News
