Bahraini Authorities Ban an Academic Publication
Country/Topic: Bahrain
Date: 20 October 2007
Source: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)
Person(s): Nabeel Rajab
Target(s):Authors, Historians, Artists, Academicians, Researchers
Type(s) of violation(s): Ban, censorship, forbidden,
Urgency: Flash
(BCHR/IFEX) – The following is a statement from BCHR, a member of IFEX:
In a statement published today info@bahrainrights.org, the Bahrain
Journalists Association (BJA) disclosed the news about none endorsement of
Bahraini Authorities Ban an Academic Publication
Country/Topic: Bahrain
Date: 20 October 2007
Source: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)
Person(s): Nabeel Rajab
Target(s):Authors, Historians, Artists, Academicians, Researchers
Type(s) of violation(s): Ban, censorship, forbidden,
Urgency: Flash
(BCHR/IFEX) – The following is a statement from BCHR, a member of IFEX:
In a statement published today info@bahrainrights.org, the Bahrain
Journalists Association (BJA) disclosed the news about none endorsement of
a book manuscripted by the academician Dr Nader Kathem titled: ‘Memory
Exploitations: In a Pluralistic Society , Saddled with History’. It is a
collection of academic series published by the author in the local press,
during the past period.
Dr Kathem’s book falls in the context of the development of
multiculturalism in Bahrain and discusses the historical and cultural
constraints which prevented the establishment of cultural pluralism in
Bahrain and the completion of coexistence and harmony between its
communities .
After the legal period of three months of submitting a publication request,
which was on 19 July 2007, Dr Kathem has not received a response or the
authorization from the Publication Directorate of the Ministry of
Information (MI) to allow for printing his series in the form of a book.
The vice president of the BJA. Mr Adel Marzouk stated that ‘procrastination
of the Ministry of Information represented by the Department of Printing
and Publishing in issuing an authorization of printing Dr Kathem’s book is
a mislead compass to genuine monitoring and an indication to a retreat from
political reform, respect of freedom of speech and creativity’
It is to be noted that Dr Kathem book will be the second publication to be
held within one year, after the novel ‘Omar bin Al-Khattab, A Martyr’ by
the well known writer Abdullah Khalifa, which was passed to the Ministry of
Information over seven months ago. For an earlier novel by Mr Khalifa,
‘Husain’s Head’, the official response by the MI is to forbid and ban its
publication in Bahrain.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its concerns over the
persistent censorship of all forms of freedom of expression in Bahrain. It
also seeks the intervention of the new minister to play a active role in
changing the policies by which the Bahraini MI is run, considering the
world openness and the knowledge transfer across, overcoming all
technological and physical borders.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to the Bahraini Authorities asking for their respect to
freedom of expression by academicians, researchers, novelists and
journalists. This require:
– lifting ban on publications in general and in particular, academic
researches, novels and artistic products.
– showing respect to academic researchers, artists, writers and novelists
who take the burden to produce creative products to humanity.
-taking measure to amend Press and Publication Decree code no 47 of 2002 to
ensure its compliance with the international declarations and covenants as
well as vows of its leadership to respect freedom of expression .
TAKE ACTION TO:
– His Hightness Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa- King of Bahrain
Riffa -Bahrain
– 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.
MORE INFORMATION:
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
info@bahrainrights.org
http://www.alayam.com/ArticleDetail.asp?CategoryId=2&ArticleId=285250
