Rights issues in spotlight
Published: 14th May 2007
HUMAN rights issues in Bahrain and the rest of the Gulf are reportedly being discussed in a series of high-level meetings in Europe.
Talks on why the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) was closed, as well as updates on issues relating to alleged ethnic and sectarian discrimination, political naturalisation, freedom of expression, women’s and children’s rights, family law and the plight of migrant workers in Bahrain, are included in the conference between the centre, EU stakeholders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Rights issues in spotlight
Published: 14th May 2007
HUMAN rights issues in Bahrain and the rest of the Gulf are reportedly being discussed in a series of high-level meetings in Europe.
Talks on why the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) was closed, as well as updates on issues relating to alleged ethnic and sectarian discrimination, political naturalisation, freedom of expression, women’s and children’s rights, family law and the plight of migrant workers in Bahrain, are included in the conference between the centre, EU stakeholders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Two Bahraini human rights activists are hoping to build long-term relationships with the EU during their visit to Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK.
The former officials of the now-dissolved BCHR said that they aimed to “sensitise” EU officials to the “most pressing human rights concerns” in Bahrain and the rest of the GCC.
“We will be discussing strategies for EU officials to raise them with Bahraini authorities,” said BCHR president Abdulhadi Al Khawaja.
“We are also working to build long-term relations with EU stakeholders as well as NGOs.
“We hope to learn about the EU’s political instruments working for the protection and promotion of human rights.”
Meetings
Bahrain Human Rights Society vice-president Nabeel Rajab said that meetings would be held with representatives of the three main institutions: The EU Council and member states representatives, The EU Commission and the European Parliament.
“We will also meet key human rights NGOs based in Brussels, Amsterdam and London,” he said.
Mr Al Khawaja said that they also hoped to look at human rights in the context of free trade agreements – in particular how to make human rights issues a part of EU relations with Bahrain and the GCC.
“In addition, we are hoping to gain perspective for further policy development on migrants, discrimination, poverty and women’s rights, among other issues,” he said.
The current visit is part of the rights group’s international capacity and relationships building programme.
It follows meetings between members of the former BCHR with officials in the US during February this year, and with NGOs and United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
© Gulf Daily News