http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10121772.html
04/29/2007 11:27 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: A rights watchdog has launched a scathing attack on a motion tabled in Bahrain’s lower house to ban migrant bachelors from living in residential areas, saying that it amounted to creation of ghettos.
“This motion is discriminatory and promotes derogatory and racist attitudes towards migrant workers. To relocate labour camps to industrial areas, where few Bahrainis would choose to live, appears as the first step towards building a ghetto where migrant workers will be segregated from Bahraini residents,” Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) Vice-President Nabeel Rajab yesterday said in a statement, a copy of which was sent to Gulf News.
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10121772.html
04/29/2007 11:27 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: A rights watchdog has launched a scathing attack on a motion tabled in Bahrain’s lower house to ban migrant bachelors from living in residential areas, saying that it amounted to creation of ghettos.
“This motion is discriminatory and promotes derogatory and racist attitudes towards migrant workers. To relocate labour camps to industrial areas, where few Bahrainis would choose to live, appears as the first step towards building a ghetto where migrant workers will be segregated from Bahraini residents,” Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) Vice-President Nabeel Rajab yesterday said in a statement, a copy of which was sent to Gulf News.
Citing concerns about the erosion of traditional social values, several deputies have called for the relocation of migrant bachelors away from Bahraini families.
Their allegations culminated last week when Islamist deputy Nasser Al Fadhala said that many migrant bachelors used their houses to make alcohol, run prostitution rings or to rape children and housemaids.
However, the claim was refuted by Rajab as “disgraceful and racist and an attempt to exploit people’s prejudices.”
Irresponsible slur
“For members of parliament to suggest that migrant workers use their residences as criminal havens for rape, prostitution and the illegal sale of alcohol is an extreme racial slur. It is a disgrace and extremely irresponsible for elected deputies to promote racial hatred and to encourage the vilification of an entire community,” he said.
“It is appalling that some people in Bahrain are willing to rest on the benefits created by these people’s hard work, and quite often, their suffering, but refuse to live with them in equality and dignity.”
According to the activist, “the solution is not to force migrant workers into ghettos, but to urge companies to improve living conditions for workers and to stop accommodating large numbers of them in inadequate space.”
“We strongly urge the Council of Representatives to vote against this flawed and ultimately racist motion and we encourage it to adopt moves that will improve health and living conditions of the workers,” Rajab said.
“We call on the Council of Representatives to set a good example for the citizens and promote harmony and peaceful relations between the various communities living in Bahrain, instead of exploiting people’s prejudices and fears,” he said.