MarketWatch:Congress to Discuss Religious Freedom in Bahrain

Congress to Discuss Religious Freedom in Bahrain Wednesday

By: PR Newswire
Oct. 14, 2008 02:33 PM
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following letter by Reps. Frank R. Wolf, James P. McGovern and Trent Franks is being redistributed today by Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain:

Dear Colleague,

Congress to Discuss Religious Freedom in Bahrain Wednesday

Dear Colleague,

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and the Congressional Task Force on International Religious Freedom for a briefing on the “Impact of Political Reform on Religious Freedom in Bahrain.” The briefing, chaired by Rep. Frank Wolf, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, in 2168 Rayburn. It is open to the public.

This past June, Bahrain successfully completed its Universal Periodic Review for election to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Despite approval by the Council, concern still looms regarding Bahrain’s commitment to human rights and religious freedom. Despite reforms decreed by King Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Isa Al Khalifa in 2001-02, Human Rights Watch criticized new laws containing provisions that undermine human rights and the reform measures. Journalists also have questioned the government’s sincerity as intra-religious political and social tensions continue to rise.

While Bahrain has been referred to as a model of democracy and reform in the Arab region, the majority Shiite population feel increasingly marginalized by the ruling Sunni minority. According to the U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report for 2008, government discrimination against Shiites has been found in certain areas, including the allocation of land for places of worship. The report also indicates that Shiites are underrepresented in the Ministry of Education, whereas Sunnis often receive preference for government employment, managerial rankings in the civil service, and in the military.

The president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), which documents religious freedom concerns in the country, was arrested in February. Later released, he spoke out against human rights abuses by the Bahraini government at the Universal Periodic Review session on Bahrain in Geneva; the BCHR now fears for his safety. Human rights advocates also have questioned the substantial population growth, reportedly 41 percent by government statistics, as rumors spread that the government is granting passports to Sunnis from other countries to increase their representation within Bahrain and force the Shiites into the minority.

Joining us to address these issues are experts from Bahrain including Nabeel Ahmed Rajab, founder and acting chairman of the BCHR; Dr. Abduljaleel Al Singace, assistant professor at the University of Bahrain and co-founder of the Al-Wefaq political society; Maryam Al Khawaja, former leader of the student organization AIESEC-Bahrain, and Dr. Toby Jones, assistant professor at Rutgers University and former contributor to the International Crisis Group reports on Bahrain.

Sincerely,
Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress

James P. McGovern
Member of Congress

Trent Franks
Member of Congress

http://uk.sys-con.com/node/709887

Bahrain: Socio-Political Issues

Last update: 7:27 p.m. EDT Oct. 14, 2008

WASHINGTON, Oct 14, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — Dr. Jasim Husain (Member of Parliament) wishes to invite you to attend a seminar discussing socio-political issues in Bahrain. The event takes place at 9:30 am (registration begins at 9 am) on Thursday, October 16th at the National Press Club (Murrow room, 13th floor).
If left unresolved, discriminatory practices in Bahrain could threaten local harmony, with repercussions felt throughout the region and beyond. The U.S., which has a naval base in Bahrain, cannot afford overlooking challenges facing an allied nation.
On Sunday, October 19th, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa inaugurates the third session of 2006-2010 parliament. However, the country faces numerous challenges and opportunities that require contributions from members of parliament, local civil societies and international establishments supporting democracy and justice.
The biggest challenge relates to systematic discriminatory practices against the majority Shia population. As of mid-October 2008, Shia merely assumed 10 percent of cabinet-level ministers. According to a study conducted by Al Wefaq (the largest opposition group in terms of members and parliamentary representation), Shia control 13 percent of decision-making positions in governmental departments. Worse, the authorities largely deny Shia entry at security establishments, in turn regarded as key sources of employment by virtue of receiving about 30 percent of budgetary recurrent expenditures.
Denial of jobs at security apparatuses is a primary reason behind unemployment amongst Shia. True unemployment rate is not an exact science in Bahrain, but believed to be running anywhere between 4 to 8 percent. The utmost majority of unemployed happen to be Shia, reflecting either a careless or a carefully planned governmental policy.
Reforming election districts is another priority. Now, election districts do not reflect population density, echoing a determined governmental policy to influence parliamentary voting. For instance, the southern governorate boosted about 6 per cent of total electorate but granted 15 per cent of parliamentary seats. Unfair representation is deterring the legislative branch from fulfilling its duties towards the citizens.
Yet, Bahrain encounters serious economic challenges that require contributions from all concerned parties. The petroleum sector continues to play a dominant role in the economy despite all talks of economic diversification. The sector contributed 80 percent of real treasury income in 2007. Concurrently, Bahrain is facing growing rivalry from regional economies, with Dubai, Doha and Riyadh and more recently Kuwait vying to become regional hub for financial services.
SOURCE Al Wefaq Society
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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