Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) – 12 June 2005
12/06/05: WLUML has received an urgent request from The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) calling for support for women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Jamsheer.
Dear friends,
WLUML strongly urges you to take action in support of women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Jamsheer. Ms. Jamsheer is the head of the Committee of Women’s Petition (CWP), a network of Bahraini women activists campaigning for the codification of Bahrain’s family laws and the reform of Shari’a Family Courts.
Ms. Jamsheer faces three trials for publicly criticizing family court judges and, if convicted, faces up to 15 years in prison. The trials are scheduled for 15 and 19 June and 2 July 2005.
Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) – 12 June 200512/06/05: WLUML has received an urgent request from The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) calling for support for women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Jamsheer.
Dear friends,
WLUML strongly urges you to take action in support of women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Jamsheer. Ms. Jamsheer is the head of the Committee of Women’s Petition (CWP), a network of Bahraini women activists campaigning for the codification of Bahrain’s family laws and the reform of Shari’a Family Courts.
Ms. Jamsheer faces three trials for publicly criticizing family court judges and, if convicted, faces up to 15 years in prison. The trials are scheduled for 15 and 19 June and 2 July 2005.
It is therefore vital that you respond immediately to this urgent call for action.
There are many recent cases where the authorities have used restrictive laws, such as the Penal Code 1976 and Law on the Press 2002, to suppress public criticism by bringing human rights activists and journalists before the courts.
Ms. Jamsheer is accused of slander, calling family court judges in Bahrain “corrupt, biased, and unqualified” and calling a specific judge “rude and unfair.” She is also being criminally prosecuted by the ex-husband of a divorced woman whose case was adopted by the CWP.
The criminal charges against Ms. Jamsheer are an effort by the authorities to put pressure on activists and NGOs to cease or reduce their activities. The taking of such legal action is a reversal of the political and constitutional reforms currently taking place in Bahrain, and is an attempt to prevent the establishment of political, social and civil rights for Bahraini women.
We urge you to act to ensure that Ms. Jamsheer, NGOs and activists can continue to make their positive contribution to the promotion and protection of women’s rights and human rights, and to the overall development of Bahraini society.
It is WLUML’s view that this is one more example of a global trend to control progressive groups and voices.
In solidarity,
Women Living Under Muslim Laws
International Coordination OfficeWHAT YOU CAN DO
Send urgent letters to the Bahraini authorities demanding that:
1) They drop all charges against Ms. Jamsheer.
2) The government stops putting pressure on all of those who call for the protection of women’s rights and human rights. Such pressure must not be used as an excuse to silence progressive voices and those who seek to reveal the realities of women’s status in Bahrain.
3) The government addresses the concerns of CWP in relation to family laws in Bahrain, and responds to CWP demands for the codification of family laws and the reform of Shari’a Family Courts.
4) The government should amend the laws which criminalize and suppress public criticism and opinion.
A sample letter and addresses of officials to be contacted follow below.Sample letter
Your Excellency/ Your Majesty/ Sir…
We are writing to express our deep concern about the three criminal charges made against women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Yusuf Jamsheer, the head of the Committee of Women’s Petition Committee (WPC), accusing her of foul language, abusing a shari’a family court and a former shari’a judge.
We believe that the concerns voiced by Ms. Jamsheer and by the CWP regarding family laws in Bahrain should be debated within the community and addressed by the Bahraini government. We are confident that any opinions expressed were in the spirit of constructive dialogue with the aim of enhancing the principles of democracy, equality and justice in Bahrain.
The legal action against Ms. Jamsheer is a reversal of the positive political and constitutional reforms currently taking place in Bahrain, and is an attempt to prevent the establishment of political, social and civil rights for Bahraini women.
We are concerned that the legal action against Ms. Jamsheer will silence women’s voices and discourage their participation in the debate around family laws in Bahrain. This will weaken the women’s reform movement and also put psychological and legal pressure on all people who call for the protection of women’s rights, human rights and freedom of expression. The legal actions against Ms. Jamsheer are violations of the freedom of expression and will prevent much needed debates in Bahraini society. They are also obstacles to the contribution of women towards the building of a better society.
We are confident that you will use your authority to recognize and support women’s participation in a public debate about issues which affect all Bahraini citizens. We therefore urge you to use your authority to have the case against her withdrawn immediately. We also urge you to amend laws which criminalize and suppress public criticism and opinions.
We further urge you to address the concerns of CWP in relation to family laws in Bahrain, and accept demands for the reform of Shari’a Family Courts and the codification of family law based on principles of equality and justice for all Bahraini citizens.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Yours sincerely,ADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO
The Embassy of Bahrain in your country
http://www.helplinedatabase.com/embassy-database/country-in-other-countries/bahrain.html
The Royal Council
His Majesty the King, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain
Fax: +973-17664587
Crown Prince Council
Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain
Fax: +973-17664587
Vice-President of the Supreme Council for Justice
Sheikh Khalifa Rashed Al-Khalifa
Fax: +973-17535852
Minister of Justice
Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Sitri
Fax: +973-17531284
The Head of the Council of Ministers
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
Fax: +973-17211363
Please send copies of your letters/messages to wluml@wluml.org