Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
Fortysix legal cases were filed against journalists and publishing houses last year, according to a report by the defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.
“Fortysix cases were filed against journalists who appeared before the Public Prosecution last year compared with 13 in 2006. It shows Press freedom has a direct impact on the freedom of expression,” BCHR vice president, Nabeel Rajab, told the Tribube yesterday.
Of the 46 cases, 19 are under investigation.
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
Fortysix legal cases were filed against journalists and publishing houses last year, according to a report by the defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.
“Fortysix cases were filed against journalists who appeared before the Public Prosecution last year compared with 13 in 2006. It shows Press freedom has a direct impact on the freedom of expression,” BCHR vice president, Nabeel Rajab, told the Tribube yesterday.
Of the 46 cases, 19 are under investigation.
“No journalist should be jailed and this is what we recommend the government as part of the proposed amendments to the 2002 Press Law. Bahrain is a democratic state and should ensure Press Freedom,” Rajab said. The report has been sent to the Minister of Information, Jehad Bukamal, with recommendations to amend articles which stipulate imprisonment.
Rajab said he would discuss the report in April when the Kingdom’s human rights report would be reviewed at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Local activists will review the Press Law and other controversial laws during the Geneva meeting which will scrutinise rights records of all 192 UN members in phases.
The Bahrain Journalists Association has been pushing for Press freedom and demonstrated for a free Press outside the Chamber of Deputies on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day on May 3 last year.
As per the Press Law, journalists can be sentenced from six months to five years for violations.
According to 2007 report by Reporters Without Borders, Bahrain ranked 111 on the World Press Freedom Index.