Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Any Part of the World: Bahrain
Written statement submitted by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), a non-governmental organization with special consultative status
United Nations Commission on Human Rights
4 March 2005
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) wants to express its concern about the human rights situation in Bahrain.
Human Rights Infringements
The Bahraini population is continously subject to serious human rights violations, on which the Bahreini government has omitted information in its last report to the Committee for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination (CERD). Since the Bahrain is not party to the other Covenants on civil, political and economic rights, the CERD representing an important international instrument to monitor the human rights situation in the country, plays a vital role. Impunity of government officials remains a problem; it is thus necessary to establish an independent judicial system, since the King, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa al Khalifa, chairs the Higher Judicial Council; the Government restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion and movement. As to gender discrimination, it is important to point out the minor role played by women in the Bahraini society: there is no policy condemning violence against women or safeguarding their condition in the labour market. They are systematically excluded from high-ranking public jobs. In 2001, the total number of working women was 32.800, representing 26% of the whole manpower. The percentage of women occupying high-ranking posts was 7%. Discrimination is addressed to religious “minorities”, namely the Shiites, representing on the contrary, the majority of the population.
Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Any Part of the World: Bahrain
Written statement submitted by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), a non-governmental organization with special consultative status
United Nations Commission on Human Rights
4 March 2005
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) wants to express its concern about the human rights situation in Bahrain.
Human Rights Infringements
The Bahraini population is continously subject to serious human rights violations, on which the Bahreini government has omitted information in its last report to the Committee for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination (CERD). Since the Bahrain is not party to the other Covenants on civil, political and economic rights, the CERD representing an important international instrument to monitor the human rights situation in the country, plays a vital role. Impunity of government officials remains a problem; it is thus necessary to establish an independent judicial system, since the King, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa al Khalifa, chairs the Higher Judicial Council; the Government restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion and movement. As to gender discrimination, it is important to point out the minor role played by women in the Bahraini society: there is no policy condemning violence against women or safeguarding their condition in the labour market. They are systematically excluded from high-ranking public jobs. In 2001, the total number of working women was 32.800, representing 26% of the whole manpower. The percentage of women occupying high-ranking posts was 7%. Discrimination is addressed to religious “minorities”, namely the Shiites, representing on the contrary, the majority of the population.
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