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Bahrain Bahrain: Child Soldier Global Report 2001 From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers The Constitution of Bahrain states in article 30, "Military service is an honour for the citizens and regulated by law." Conscription has never existed in Bahrain since its independence in 1971, nor is it likely to be introduced in the future. The minimum age for voluntary recruitment into the Bahrain Armed Forces is 18." June 12, 2001 Bahrain's National Charter Referendum On February 14-15, Bahraini citizens will cast "yes" or "no" votes for a National Charter drafted late last year on the instructions of the country's ruler, or amir (prince), Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. February 12, 2001 Also available in 
Bahrain: Landmine Monitor Report 2000 Key developments since March 1999: Landmine Monitor has discovered that the U.S. Air Force plans to stockpile antipersonnel mines in Bahrain. Bahrain has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty, nor is it a party to the CCW. At the UN General Assembly in October 1998, the Bahrain representative stated that Bahrain supported a landmine ban and endorsed the Ottawa Convention.89 Officials have not spoken on the issue in the UN in 1999 or 2000, nor have they given any indication why they have not acceded to the treaty. On 1 December 1999 Bahrain joined 138 other nations in voting in favor of UNGA resolution 54/54B supporting the Mine Ban Treaty. August 1, 2000 State Vsit of Amir of Bahrain On June 1, President Clinton will host an official working visit by the Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Shaikh Isa will also meet with Secretary of State Albright. We hope you will find the attached information about Bahrain helpful in covering his visit. June 1, 1998 Bahrain: Human Rights Developments (Overview of 1997) The human rights situation in Bahrain showed no improvement in 1997 and in some respects worsened. Street protests and clashes between security forces and demonstrators calling for political reform, which had first erupted in December 1994, continued throughout the year, intensifying in June 1997. Shaikh Abd al-Amir al-Jamri and seven other Shi`a community leaders, arrested inJanuary 1996, remained in detention without charge. The government continued to prosecute persons on security-related charges in the State Security Court, where procedures did not meet basic fair trial standards and whose verdicts were not subject to appeal. The exercise of the freedoms of assembly and political association remained effectively outlawed under the terms of the penal code and the law of societies and clubs. December 10, 1997 Purchase online Routine Abuse, Routine Denial Civil Rights and the Political Crisis in Bahrain Human rights abuses in Bahrain are wide-ranging and fall into two basic categories. The first relates to law enforcement and administration of justice issues. These encompass the behavior of security forces toward those under arrest and detention, and when confronting civil disturbances; arbitrary detention; physical and psychological abuse of detainees; denial of access to legal counsel; and denial of the right to a swift and impartial judicial hearing. The second area of human rights violations relates to the broad denial of fundamental political rights and civil liberties, including freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, and the right to participate in the conduct of public affairs. In terms of numbers of people affected, the situation has been particularly acute since the end of 1994, with the onset of a period of protracted civil unrest that has continued into the spring of 1997. This unrest has increasingly taken on the coloration of a sectarian conflict between the majority Shi'a population and the Sunni ruling family and military-political establishment. Human Rights Watch calls on the government of Bahrain to repeal all laws and decrees that unduly restrict the ability of Bahraini citizens to exercise peacefully their rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression. Human Rights Watch also urges an end to the practice of detaining people for unlimited or extended periods without charge, and an end to the practice of interrogating detainees without allowing access to legal counsel. HRW Index No.: 2181 July 1, 1997 Purchase online
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