ALERT – BAHRAIN Columnist suspended after writing articles about demands for democratic reforms


SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR/IFEX) –
18 November 2009
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is concerned

SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR/IFEX) –
18 November 2009
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is concerned
overthe continuing repressive attitude towards journalists, writers and columnists in Bahrain. Many of them have been summoned before public prosecutors or the courts for exercising their professional rights intackling issues of interest to the public. Others have been suspended from writing or reporting by their employers and the editors-in-chief of their newspapers. In doing so, the employers express their opposition to theopinions of some journalists or columnists and assume a position ofself-censorship, fearing reprisals from the authorities, sometimes having received direct telephone calls from members of the ruling family orgovernment. BCHR has learned that Ali Saleh, a journalist and columnist, was suspended from writing in “Albilad” newspaper ( http://www.albiladpress.com ) afterhis last column was not published. When Saleh noticed that his column wasnot published as planned in the 15 October 2009 issue of the newspaper, heapproached the publication’s directors to inquire about his article. He was advised that, based on orders from “high level authorities”, he has been”indefinitely suspended” from writing. The 67-year-old Saleh started his work in the journalism profession when hewas 23 years old and his column writing experience exceeds 33 years. Hejoined “Albilad” in April, writing a column every Wednesday. Earlier, hewas a columnist at different times for “Akhbar Al-Khaleej”, “Alwasat” and”Alayam” newspapers. According to Saleh, these newspapers stoppedpublishing his articles or actually “disposed of him” with differentexcuses, all of them focused on the fact that his writings “did not conform” with their policies. Moreover, he said that “other newspapers,like ‘Almeethaq’, ‘Alwaqt’ and ‘Alwatan’, absolutely refused to accept(him) as one of their columnists”. Based on information obtained by BCHR, the orders to suspend Saleh fromwriting were issued by Royal Court officials who were displeased with aseries of published articles written by him focusing on demands for genuinedemocratic reforms and reinforcement of the state of law instead ofpolicies of individualism and gestures. Moreover, Saleh has been critical of the “Reform Project” proposed in 2002 to establish a democracy in Bahrain. According to Saleh, “This project ceased to exist after itsretraction when the 2002 constitution was passed in an undemocratic way, inaddition to the procedures, decrees and developments which brought Bahrainback to unilateral power – the executive one”. Saleh considers his suspension to be “one of the measures taken by thelocal authorities to muzzle free speech, attack freedom of opinion andexpression and prevent criticism and demands for reform, which contrastwith the claim that Bahrain is a democracy.” BCHR expresses its deep disappointment over the authorities’ lack oftolerance for differing views that expose state violations or are criticalof state practices, contradicting what the government is trying to conveythrough publicity programmes both within and outside of Bahrain. The BCHRcalls upon the authorities to respect and uphold international human rightsconventions and covenants ratified by Bahrain, specifically those onfreedom of expression. In particular, reference is made to Article 19 ofthe International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified byBahrain in September 2006, which refers to the right to hold opinionswithout interference and the right to freedom of expression. BCHR’s president, Nabeel Rajab, said, “We are strongly dismayed by thisescalation of actions against journalists and efforts to silence dissentingvoices. We remind the Bahraini authorities of their commitments andobligations to respect international covenants on human rights”. Rajabadded, “What makes us most concerned are the constraining orders which comethrough telephone calls from the offices of top officials. These officialsshould pay attention and listen to differing views and criticisms in lightof their claims of democracy and freedom of expression. The continuingharassment of journalists in this way represents a step backwards and arevival of the old state security tactics. It reinforces the position ofBahrain on the blacklist of countries that violate human rights and freedomof expression (. . .). What happened to Ali Saleh is shameful.” RECOMMENDED ACTION:Send appeals to the authorities calling on them to:- stop harassing journalists, columnists and writers who express theirviews on matters of public interest and issues relating to corruption andmisconduct- lift the suspension of Saleh, ensuring that he suffers no reprisals as aresult of criticising policies and programmes put in place by the rulingelite.- cease policies that result in suspension decisions made behind closeddoors without any judicial or legal process APPEALS TO:Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa,King of Bahrain Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa,Cabinet Prime Minister Fax: +97 3 1 721 1363