Abolish sexual health tests, says rights group
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10091542.html
12/22/2006 11:00 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: A Bahraini human rights watchdog has called for the removal of compulsory sexual and reproductive health tests for immigrants, saying that they violated the basic rights to freedom, privacy and dignity, and contributed to discrimination and stigma against them.
“A dangerous result of enforcing such procedures is that migrant workers are driven underground. This means they are cut off from social and medical service providers that provide important information on how the HIV infection is transmitted, and how infection can be prevented,” said a joint statement from the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and Caram Asia as they marked the International Day of Solidarity with Migrant Workers.
Abolish sexual health tests, says rights group
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10091542.html
12/22/2006 11:00 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: A Bahraini human rights watchdog has called for the removal of compulsory sexual and reproductive health tests for immigrants, saying that they violated the basic rights to freedom, privacy and dignity, and contributed to discrimination and stigma against them.
“A dangerous result of enforcing such procedures is that migrant workers are driven underground. This means they are cut off from social and medical service providers that provide important information on how the HIV infection is transmitted, and how infection can be prevented,” said a joint statement from the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and Caram Asia as they marked the International Day of Solidarity with Migrant Workers.
The centre added that “migrant workers should enjoy a life of dignity brought about by the highest standard of health attainable, as is laid out in International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”.
Check-ups
Migrant workers number about 250,000 out of a total workforce of about 360,000, according to Central Bank of Bahrain statistics.
All migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are subject to blood and urine tests along with a chest X-ray. Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy and HIV/Aids are grounds for immediate deportation.
BCHR said there was a need to appreciate the role of the workers in the host countries.
“We need to recognise that the contribution of migrant workers should foster a better understanding between migrant and worker communities, which will improve conditions for the hardworking expatriate community, and improve the Gulf’s position as a host region,” the centre said.
The Gulf receives millions of migrant workers seeking employment.
Host countries benefit from the products of migrant workers’ labour, including vital infrastructure and essential services. “Unfortunately migrants face class, race and gender discrimination, and have emerged as the most vulnerable group in today’s globalised world. As host countries, the Gulf countries should not withhold health care and benefits, or deny the health rights of the migrant communities because of financial constraints or legal status,” the centre said.
Warning
Last year in Manama James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, called for better treatment of expatriates in the Gulf states, warning that “guest workers were a time bomb waiting to explode and unleash riots like those that rocked France”.