By Suad Hamada (Our correspondent)
27 January 2008
MANAMA – At least 46 cases were filed against journalists and publishing houses in different courts last year, as compared to 13 in 2006.
According to statistics released last week by the Public Persecution, of 46 cases investigations were carried out in 19 cases, 16 cases were rejected by public persecutors concerned, one was postponed and three were reported against anonymous suspects.
By Suad Hamada (Our correspondent)
27 January 2008
MANAMA – At least 46 cases were filed against journalists and publishing houses in different courts last year, as compared to 13 in 2006.
According to statistics released last week by the Public Persecution, of 46 cases investigations were carried out in 19 cases, 16 cases were rejected by public persecutors concerned, one was postponed and three were reported against anonymous suspects.
A report by the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights expressed concerns over the decline in Press freedom and hoped that 2008 would be a better year for the Press.
The report voiced concern over a three-fold increase in legal cases against journalists and said the situation violated the World Declaration of Human Rights and International Convention for Civil and Political Rights ratified by the Bahrain government in 2006.
The report, which was also sent to Minister of Information Jihad Bukamal, recommended to the government to improve Press freedom by protecting the rights of journalists and amend the Press laws to remove all clauses imposing imprisonment on journalists.
The Bahrain Journalists Association has been fighting for the amendment to the law to protect journalists through negotiations with government officials, lawmakers and politicians.
