IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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CAPSULE REPORT - BAHRAIN
12 June 2008
Despite advances, journalists still face possible jail terms under
prevailing laws, warns IFJ
SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels
(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a chapter from IFJ's "Breaking the Chains
2007/2008" report on press freedom across the Arab world and Iran:
Bahrain is one of the Gulf States in which there is an active debate led by
journalists about durable changes to strengthen press freedoms. Press Law
47, passed in 2002, includes 17 categories of offences and provides for
sentences ranging from six months to five years' imprisonment for
criticising the state's official religion, the king and inciting actions
that undermine state security. Articles 160, 161 and 168 prescribe prison
sentences of up to five years for possessing or disseminating thoughts that
insult Islam, criticise the Monarchy or could "damage public interest".
In addition, the law allows fines of up to 6,000 euros for 14 other
offences, including publishing information related to any case that is
under investigation or being tried, reporting any offence against the head
of a state that maintains diplomatic relations with the country or its
accredited representatives, etc. Additional restrictions on press freedom
came with the anti-terrorism law enacted in August 2006 and a number of
online publications, mainly of political content, are kept under close
monitoring.
Founded in 2000, the Bahrain Journalists' Association (BJA) represents the
broad range of media and is predominantly concerned with protecting press
freedom and defending individual journalists from prosecution through legal
assistance, public protests and lobbying.
It is active in helping draft the new media law and lobbying for over 40
amendments to the original. It has proposed recognition of electronic media
in the new law, its statute, rights and obligations. It also monitors the
introduction of Bahrain's new labour law, which will enable it to transform
itself into a trade union and defend journalists' working as well as
professional rights.
A strong campaign spearheaded by BJA to make deputies amend the law failed
after Islamist MPs in the Lower House insisted on including a clause to
imprison journalists who criticise officials or parliamentarians. A new
press law draft prepared and endorsed in May 2007 by the more liberal Upper
House (Majlis Al-Shura or Consultative Council) is scheduled to be debated
by the Council of Representatives.
In the latest developments, the Bahraini government introduced on 4 May
2008 amendments to press law 47/2002, of which the most important eliminate
prison sentences for journalists and prior censorship on publications.
However, it is still possible to charge and jail journalists on the basis
of the penal code and anti-terrorism law.
BJA plans to launch a strong campaign to lobby the Council of
Representatives in order to improve further the law to meet journalists'
demands.
King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa appears to be supportive of "progressive
laws that guarantee the independence of the press and the freedom of honest
and responsible expression". No journalists have been imprisoned since he
became the country's leader in 1999.
For further information visit the BJA website: http://www.bja-bh.org/en
For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre,
Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium,
tel: +322 235 2200 / 2207, fax: +322 235 2219, e-mail:
rachel.cohen@ifj.org, Internet: http://www.ifj.org/
The information contained in this capsule report is the sole responsibility
of IFJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
IFJ.
