Suicide rate sparks concern
Published: 25th February 2007
HUMAN rights activists are calling for an investigation into the number of suicides among expatriate workers in Bahrain.
Officials from the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) are demanding decisive action following a spate of cases since the start of the year.
At least four migrant workers have taken their lives, including three Indians and one Bangladeshi.
BCHR vice-president Nabeel Rajab said serious steps should be taken to look at the causes of such acts to try and prevent more from happening.
“Suicide attempts are recognised as a cry for help,” said Mr Rajab.
Suicide rate sparks concern
Published: 25th February 2007
HUMAN rights activists are calling for an investigation into the number of suicides among expatriate workers in Bahrain.
Officials from the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) are demanding decisive action following a spate of cases since the start of the year.
At least four migrant workers have taken their lives, including three Indians and one Bangladeshi.
BCHR vice-president Nabeel Rajab said serious steps should be taken to look at the causes of such acts to try and prevent more from happening.
“Suicide attempts are recognised as a cry for help,” said Mr Rajab.
“These tragic events should be heard as an alarm going off in Bahrain and the reasons which led to these men taking their own lives should be investigated.
“Bahrain needs to examine the terrible conditions that migrant workers live in here.
“It is often the case that financial difficulties compounded with loneliness, alienation and miserable living conditions have a very negative psychological effect on migrant workers.
“Both local stakeholders and embassy officials need to take responsibility for protecting the rights of these workers, the most fundamental of which is the right to live in dignity and health.”
Indian Ashok Jumar’s body was discovered after he hanged himself from the ceiling fan in his Hoora apartment on January 3.
Just over two weeks later, Indian Hamza Maheen, 47, died after jumping off a pedestrian footbridge.
In the third incident, on January 21, a man’s body was discovered after he hung himself at the Commerce Towers in Manama.
Bangladeshi free-visa worker Zulam Golam Mustafa, 49, also committed suicide after hanging himself in his home near the Al Mehza mosque in Manama on the same day. Meanwhile, the death of Purshothaman Gireesan, 43, who fell from the fourth floor of a Manama hotel earlier this month, is also being investigated as a suspected suicide.
© Gulf Daily News