Khaleej Times: Decision to Sack Employees Opposed

manama — Six opposition societies have objected to the Ministry of Education’s decision to sack employees and suspend students involved in illegal rallies and strikes.

The societies in a joint statement condemned a circular issued to all ministry’s schools and departments, warning employees and students of tough action if they violate the circular.

The authorities are sending wrong signals by imposing such a decision. It restricts freedom of expression, the statement highlighted.

manama — Six opposition societies have objected to the Ministry of Education’s decision to sack employees and suspend students involved in illegal rallies and strikes.

The societies in a joint statement condemned a circular issued to all ministry’s schools and departments, warning employees and students of tough action if they violate the circular.

The authorities are sending wrong signals by imposing such a decision. It restricts freedom of expression, the statement highlighted.

The resentment follows a decision by the Civil Service Bureau to initiative legal proceedings against any government employee involved in illegal gatherings, sabotage or arson attacks.

It also said that the circular would stop the ministry’s employees and students from expressing their opinion about matters related to their daily lives. The statement described the circular as not acceptable and called upon authorities to revoke the decision. The six human rights group included Bahrain Human Rights Society, the defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Unregistered Haqq Movement of Liberties and Democracy, Public Freedom and Support for Democracy, Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and the Women Petition Committee.

According to the law for staging rallies in Bahrain, gatherings are banned near hospitals, places of worship, schools, airports, malls and sensitive areas. The law also stipulates that the organisers of unauthorised rallies will be fined BD100 or jailed for six months while the participants will be fined BD50 and jailed for one month.