DOCSLIB.ORG

Freedom of Association in the Arabian Gulf: the Case of Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Freedom of Association in the Arabian Gulf: the Case of Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN ICCPR Article 22: 1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests. 2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those which are prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on members of the armed forces and of the police in their exercise of this right. 3. Nothing in this article shall authorize States Parties to the n°519a March 2009 © University of Texas Libraries Texas © University of FIDH - AIHR. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN/3 ACKNOWLEDGMENT We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who helped in producing this report. First of all, thanks go to FIDH members’ organizations and partners for their help in assisting in the logistical organization of the field research missions, Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights in Yemen, the Bahrain Human Rights Society in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kuwait Human Rights Society in Kuwait. We also extend our thanks to the authorities of Bahrain, Kuwait, and Yemen for the time they granted to FIDH research delegation and the valuable information that was made available for this report. Finally, special thanks go to Frontiers Association for offering access to the office and material, and to all the interviewees without whom the report would not have been possible. This report was elaborated with the support of the European Commission. The points of view presented herein reflect the opinion of the organizations endorsing the report and not under any circumstances the official point of view of the European Union. FIDH - AIHR. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN/3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment p.3 About this report p.5 Introduction p.6 Bahrain p.9 The legal and policy framework relating to freedom of association p.9 Specific provisions relating to the formation, functioning and dissolution of associations p.12 The right to establish an association or a union p.12 The right of associations to freely carry out their statutory activities p.19 1- The right to be free of control, interference and supervision p.19 2- The right to seek and receive funds p.23 3- The right of affiliation to regional and international organizations p.26 The right to protection from suspension, closure and dissolution p.27 The right of members to protection from prosecution and discrimination p.28 1- The right of human rights defenders not to be penalized for belonging to a non-registered organization p.28 2- The right of trade-unionists to protection from anti-union discrimination p.31 Kuwait p.32 The legal and policy framework relating to freedom of association p.32 Specific provisions relating to the formation, functioning and dissolution of associations . p.33 The right to establish an association or a union p.33 The right of associations to freely carry out their statutory activities p.38 1- The right to be free of control, interference and supervision p.39 2- The right to seek and receive funds p.40 3- The right of affiliation to regional and international organizations p.42 The right to protection from suspension, closure and dissolution p.42 The right of members to protection from prosecution and discrimination p.43 1- The right of human rights defenders not to be penalized for belonging to a non-registered organization p.43 2- The right of trade-unionists to protection from anti-union discrimination p.44 Yemen p.45 The legal and policy framework relating to freedom of association p.45 Specific provisions relating to the formation, functioning and dissolution of associations p.47 The right to establish an association or a union p.47 The right of associations to freely carry out their statutory activities p.54 1- The right to be free of control, interference and supervision p.54 2- The right to seek and receive funds p.56 3- The right of affiliation to regional and international organizations p.58 The right to protection from suspension, closure and dissolution p.59 The right of members to protection from prosecution and discrimination p.62 1- The right of human rights defenders not to be penalized for belonging to a non-registered organization p.62 2- The right of trade-unionists to protection from anti-union discrimination p.62 Comparative analysis of freedom of association in the 3 countries p.63 Conclusion p.70 Recommendations p.70 Annexes p.72 FIDH - AIHR. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN/4 FIDH - AIHR. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN/5 ABOUT THIS REPORT The present legal study that covers the right to freedom of association in three Arab Gulf countries, Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen, was undertaken in preparation of a regional seminar, aimed at building civil societies’ capacity to participate effectively in democratic transformation, to be organized jointly by the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). FIDH commissioned Ms. Samira Trad to carry out the study and the field research mission. The preliminary research started in October 2007 and the field missions took place in February 2008, and the writing of the report started thereafter. It is important to mention that the cut date for the information in this report is end of February 2008. Exceptionally, some information was updated after that date. The report focuses on the current legal and policy framework of the right to freedom of association in the three countries subject of this study. It is limited to the study of three specific categories of associations - independent human rights organizations, workers’ trade unions (excluding professional and employers unions), and political parties. It analyses the compatibility of national laws and practice with international human rights standards and assesses current trends and policies. The report did not attempt to look at the historical development of these policies or legal frames, although at times this seemed relevant and necessary to gain a better understanding of the trends and policies. The analysis was limited to two fundamental aspects of the right to freedom of association: the right to form or join an association and the right to function freely. As such the research concentrated on the five main factors that constitute the basic and fundamental rights of the freedom of association: the right to exist without prior authorization; the right to be free from control and interference in internal management and running of the organization; the ability to manage funding openly and transparently; the right to be affiliated to regional and international organizations; the right to carry out activities without fear of prosecution, suspension or dissolution. An assessment of the right of migrants to form and join non-governmental organizations and trade unions based on the principle of non-discrimination between nationals and non-nationals; the right not to be penalized for belonging to a non registered organization; the right to protection against anti-union discrimination, were as well components of this study. The analysis is therefore limited to the organic elements, bearing in mind that a study of the full spectrum of freedom of association and the rights at stake would exceed the scope and objectives of our current study. The information, analysis and findings of this report are the result of a twofold research methodology relying on both theoretical as well as field research. Firstly, primary and secondary sources, existing literature and related legal documents, were collected and reviewed. Secondly, field research including interviews with relevant officials and civil society actors were carried out in the three countries. Although the study approaches both legal and practice, the legal aspects are still predominant in the analysis. The focus of both the theoretical and the field research was the countries’ international obligations and the extent to which national legislations and other administrative regulations related to freedom of association and the related policies are in conformity with relevant international standards. The field research aimed at analyzing in more depth legal framework and the practical implementation of policy and the realities of freedom of association with respect to human rights NGOs, trade unions, and political parties. In Bahrain, FIDH interviewed five governmental bodies, six human rights NGOs, three political associations and one alliance of political associations, and five trade unions (See list inAnnex 2). In Kuwait, FIDH delegation interviewed five different governmental bodies and Parliamentarians; as well as the representative of the International Labor Organization in Kuwait and representatives from three NGOs, three political blocs, one Trade Union, and four experts (See list in Annex 3). In Yemen, FIDH delegation interviewed seven different governmental bodies, eleven human rights NGOs (including two working on migrant issues), three political parties (including a representative of a group of five opposition political parties), and three trade unions (See list inAnnex 4). Comprehensive annexes related to the three countries are available in a CD-Rom attached to this report. FIDH - AIHR. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN/4 FIDH - AIHR. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF: THE CASE OF BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AND YEMEN/5 INTRODUCTION associations with the aim of “securing their lives and their possessions.”5 Montesquieu considers that the modern state itself is an association.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Political Ideas and Movements That Created the Modern World
    harri+b.cov 27/5/03 4:15 pm Page 1 UNDERSTANDINGPOLITICS Understanding RITTEN with the A2 component of the GCE WGovernment and Politics A level in mind, this book is a comprehensive introduction to the political ideas and movements that created the modern world. Underpinned by the work of major thinkers such as Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Mill, Weber and others, the first half of the book looks at core political concepts including the British and European political issues state and sovereignty, the nation, democracy, representation and legitimacy, freedom, equality and rights, obligation and citizenship. The role of ideology in modern politics and society is also discussed. The second half of the book addresses established ideologies such as Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism and Nationalism, before moving on to more recent movements such as Environmentalism and Ecologism, Fascism, and Feminism. The subject is covered in a clear, accessible style, including Understanding a number of student-friendly features, such as chapter summaries, key points to consider, definitions and tips for further sources of information. There is a definite need for a text of this kind. It will be invaluable for students of Government and Politics on introductory courses, whether they be A level candidates or undergraduates. political ideas KEVIN HARRISON IS A LECTURER IN POLITICS AND HISTORY AT MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY. HE IS ALSO AN ASSOCIATE McNAUGHTON LECTURER IN SOCIAL SCIENCES WITH THE OPEN UNIVERSITY. HE HAS WRITTEN ARTICLES ON POLITICS AND HISTORY AND IS JOINT AUTHOR, WITH TONY BOYD, OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION: EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION? and TONY BOYD WAS FORMERLY HEAD OF GENERAL STUDIES AT XAVERIAN VI FORM COLLEGE, MANCHESTER, WHERE HE TAUGHT POLITICS AND HISTORY.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain Country Report BTI 2012
    BTI 2012 | Bahrain Country Report Status Index 1-10 5.89 # 56 of 128 Political Transformation 1-10 4.35 # 87 of 128 Economic Transformation 1-10 7.43 # 21 of 128 Management Index 1-10 4.18 # 91 of 128 scale: 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) score rank trend This report is part of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) 2012. The BTI is a global assessment of transition processes in which the state of democracy and market economy as well as the quality of political management in 128 transformation and developing countries are evaluated. More on the BTI at http://www.bti-project.org Please cite as follows: Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2012 — Bahrain Country Report. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2012. © 2012 Bertelsmann Stiftung, Gütersloh BTI 2012 | Bahrain 2 Key Indicators Population mn. 1.3 HDI 0.806 GDP p.c. $ - Pop. growth1 % p.a. 7.6 HDI rank of 187 42 Gini Index - Life expectancy years 75 UN Education Index 0.747 Poverty3 % - Urban population % 88.6 Gender inequality2 0.288 Aid per capita $ - Sources: The World Bank, World Development Indicators 2011 | UNDP, Human Development Report 2011. Footnotes: (1) Average annual growth rate. (2) Gender Inequality Index (GII). (3) Percentage of population living on less than $2 a day. Executive Summary Bahrain’s democratic reform process has come to a standstill since 2009, which marked the 10th anniversary of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s accession to power. The positive developments in civil and political liberties observed with the start of the reform process in 2002 have in recent years been counteracted by repressive state tactics in which freedoms of expression and assembly have suffered most.
    [Show full text]
  • (COP 19) Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
    STANDARD GUIDANCE (COP 19) Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining A. Definitions and applicability Freedom of association is the right of workers and employers to freely form and join Workers Organisations such as trade unions, worker associations and worker councils or committees for the promotion and defence of occupational interests. Collective bargaining is a process through which employers (or their organisations) and workers’ associations (or in their absence, freely designated workers’ representatives) negotiate terms and conditions of work. Both are fundamental rights and they are linked. Collective bargaining cannot work without freedom of association because workers’ views cannot be properly represented. Workers must be free to choose whether and how they are to be represented and employers must not interfere in this process. A Collective Bargaining Agreement is a legally enforceable written contract between the management of a company and its employees, represented by a Workers Organisation, that defines terms and conditions of work. Collective bargaining agreements must comply with Applicable Law. A Workers Organisation is a voluntary association of workers organised on a continuing basis for the purpose of maintaining and improving their terms of employment and workplace conditions. Source: ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work http://www.ilo.org/declaration/principles/freedomofassociation/lang--en/index.htm ILO Better Work, Guidance Sheet 4: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining http://betterwork.com/global/wp-content/uploads/4-Freedom-of-Association.pdf RJC Code of Practices (2013) The Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining section of the COP is applicable to all Members with employees. B. Issue background The right to freedom of association is proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on Human Rights in Yemen
    Report on Human Rights in Yemen Submitted by Human Rights Watch To the UN Human Rights Committee on the Occasion of its Review of Yemen in March 2012 February 1, 2012 This memorandum provides an overview of Human Rights Watch’s main concerns with respect to the human rights situation in the Republic of Yemen, submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (“the Committee”) in advance of its review of Yemen in March 2012. We hope it will inform the Committee’s review of the government’s compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“the Covenant”). It has been seven years since Yemen last submitted its State Report to the Committee. During this time, the government has engaged in systematic violations of the Covenant, including extensive restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, and the use of ill-treatment and unfair trials of political detainees. Yemen continues to have one of the highest execution rates in the world. The government dramatically intensified its targeting of human rights defenders and journalists during its suppression of a secessionist movement in the south starting in 2007, and during nationwide protests seeking the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011. Yemen submitted its latest report to the Committee 14 months before the state’s security forces began a violent crackdown against largely peaceful demonstrators and opposition activists demanding the resignation of President Saleh.1 Attacks by pro-government gangs 1 Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 40 of the Covenant, Fifth periodic report of States parties, Yemen, CCPR/C/YEM/5, December 14, 2009, http://daccess-ods.un.org/TMP/8811841.01104736.html.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons
    Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons Action Sheet 8 Liberty and Freedom of Movement Key message The ability to move freely and in safety within one’s country is a basic right as well as a pre-condition for the enjoyment of many other rights. Limitations on freedom of movement can have serious consequences for the lives, health and well-being of individuals and communities. Ensuring freedom of movement thus forms an important part of any protection strategy. 1. What do we mean by the term freedom of movement? Freedom of movement consists of the right and ability to move and choose one’s residence freely and in safety within the territory of the State, regardless of the purpose of the move. It also includes the right to leave any country and to return to one’s own country. It is closely related to the right to liberty and security of person, which guarantees freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, and the right to seek asylum in another country. Taken together these rights mean that all persons, including the internally displaced, have the right to: l Take flight and seek safety in another part of the country (of choice), or to leave the country in order to seek asylum in another country. l Move freely and in safety within the country, including in and out of camps and settlements, regardless of the purpose of the move. l Voluntarily return to the place of origin or relocate to another part of the country. l Not be arbitrarily displaced or forced to return or relocate to another part of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Freedom of Movement of Workers – Directive 2004/38/EC – Right of Residence – Derived Rights for Third-Country Nationals)
    JUDGMENT OF THE COURT 13 May 2020 (Freedom of movement of workers – Directive 2004/38/EC – Right of residence – Derived rights for third-country nationals) In Case E-4/19, REQUEST to the Court under Article 34 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice by the Supreme Court of Norway (Norges Høyesterett), in a case pending before it between Campbell and The Norwegian Government, represented by the Immigration Appeals Board (Utlendingsnemnda – UNE), concerning the interpretation of Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC, and in particular Article 7(1)(b) read in conjunction with Article 7(2) thereof, THE COURT, composed of: Páll Hreinsson, President, Per Christiansen, and Bernd Hammermann (Judge-Rapporteur), Judges, Registrar: Ólafur Jóhannes Einarsson, having considered the written observations submitted on behalf of: Ms Campbell, represented by Anne-Marie Berg, Advocate; – 2 – the Norwegian Government, represented by Pål Wennerås, Advocate with the Attorney General of Civil Affairs, acting as Agent; the EFTA Surveillance Authority (“ESA”), represented by Ewa Gromnicka, Erlend Møinichen Leonhardsen and Carsten Zatschler, members
    [Show full text]
  • Gender Equality Discourse in Yemini Constitutions
    GENDER EQUALITY DISCOURSE IN YEMINI CONSTITUTIONS RIGHTS AND DUTIES AMAL AL BASHA NO. 2014/3 Authors: Amal Al Basha The lines engraved on this paper are a humble effort dedicated to: All my country’s girls, young girls, young women as well as worn out, poor and distressed women in both rural and urban communities, in each corner of this country, dreaming of the dawn of equality, justice and equity to break soon, and it is indeed soon. © 2014 The Danish Institute for Human Rights Denmark’s National Human Rights Institution Wilders Plads 8K DK-1403 Copenhagen K Phone +45 3269 8888 www.humanrights.dk This publication, or parts of it, may be reproduced if author and source are quoted. MATTERS OF CONCERN is a working paper series focusing on new and emerging research on human rights across academic disciplines. It is a means for DIHR staff, visiting fellows and external researchers to make available the preliminary results of their research, work in progress and unique research contributions. Research papers are published under the responsibility of the author alone and do not represent the official view of the Danish Institute of Human Rights. Papers are available online at www.humanrights.dk. CONTENT INTRODUCTION 8 The importance of this research paper 9 The research methodology 11 1 EQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE CONSTITUTIONS OF YEMEN IN THE SOUTH 12 1.1 The British Occupation Stage 12 1.1.1 The Laws of the Colony of Aden 12 1.1.2 The Constitution of the Colony of Aden, 1962 13 1.1.3 The Constitutions of the Sultanates, Emirates and
    [Show full text]
  • Situation of Human Rights in Yemen, Including Violations and Abuses Since September 2014
    United Nations A/HRC/39/43* General Assembly Distr.: General 17 August 2018 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-ninth session 10–28 September 2018 Agenda items 2 and 10 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Technical assistance and capacity-building Situation of human rights in Yemen, including violations and abuses since September 2014 Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights containing the findings of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts and a summary of technical assistance provided by the Office of the High Commissioner to the National Commission of Inquiry** Summary The present report is being submitted to the Human Rights Council in accordance with Council resolution 36/31. Part I of the report contains the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen. Part II provides an account of the technical assistance provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the National Commission of Inquiry into abuses and violations of human rights in Yemen. * Reissued for technical reasons on 27 September 2018. ** The annexes to the present report are circulated as received, in the language of submission only. GE.18-13655(E) A/HRC/39/43 Contents Page I. Findings of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen ....................... 3 A. Introduction and mandate ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Slavery Past and Present
    fact sheet Slavery past and present Right: Slaves being forced below What is Anti-Slavery International? deck. Despite the fact that many slaves were chained for the voyage it The first organised anti-slavery is estimated that a rebellion occurred societies appeared in Britain in the on one out of every eight slave ships 1780s with the objective of ending that crossed the Atlantic. the slave trade. For many people, this is the image In 1807 the British slave trade was that comes to mind when they hear abolished by Parliament and it the word slavery. We think of the became illegal to buy and sell buying and selling of people, their slaves although people could shipment from one continent to still own them. In 1833 Parliament another and the abolition of the finally abolished slavery itself, trade in the early 1800s. Even if we both in Britain and throughout know little about the slave trade, the British Empire. we think of it as part of our history rather than our present. In 1839 the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society was created, In fact, the slave trade continues to representing a new organisation for have an impact today. Its legacies the new chapter of the anti-slavery include racism, discrimination Mary Prince struggle. It gave inspiration to the and the development and under- abolitionist movement in the United development of communities and “Oh the horrors of slavery! - States and Brazil, and contributed countries affected by the trade. How the thought of it pains my to the drawing up of international And slavery itself is not a thing of heart! But the truth ought to standards on slavery.
    [Show full text]
  • Singapore Labor Rights May 28
    Labor Rights Report: Singapore Pursuant to section 2102(c)(8) of the Trade Act of 2002, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative, provides the following Labor Rights Report for Singapore. This report was prepared by the Department of Labor. Labor Rights Report: Singapore I. Introduction This report on labor rights in Singapore has been prepared pursuant to section 2102(c)(8) of the Trade Act of 2002 (“Trade Act”) (Pub. L. No. 107-210). Section 2102(c)(8) provides that the President shall: In connection with any trade negotiations entered into under this Act, submit to the Committee of Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a meaningful labor rights report of the country, or countries, with respect to which the President is negotiating. The President, by Executive Order 13277 (67 Fed. Reg. 70305), assigned his responsibilities under section 2102(c)(8) of the Trade Act to the Secretary of Labor, and provided that they be carried out in consultation with the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative. The Secretary of Labor subsequently provided that such responsibilities would be carried out by the Secretary of State, the United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor. (67 Fed. Reg. 77812) This report relies on information obtained from the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Embassy in Singapore and from other U.S. Government reports. It also relies upon a wide variety of reports and materials originating from Singapore, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
    [Show full text]
  • Right to Freedom of Association in the Workplace: Australia's Compliance with International Human Rights Law
    UCLA UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal Title The Right to Freedom of Association in the Workplace: Australia's Compliance with International Human Rights Law Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/98v0c0jj Journal UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal, 27(2) Author Hutchinson, Zoé Publication Date 2010 DOI 10.5070/P8272022218 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California ARTICLES THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN THE WORKPLACE: AUSTRALIA'S COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW Zoe Hutchinson BA LLB (Hons, 1st Class)* ABSTRACT The right to freedom of association in the workplace is a well- established norm of internationalhuman rights law. However, it has traditionally received insubstantial attention within human rights scholarship. This article situates the right to freedom of as- sociation at work within human rights discourses. It looks at the status, scope and importance of the right as it has evolved in inter- nationalhuman rights law. In so doing, a case is put that there are strong reasons for states to comply with the right to freedom of association not only in terms of internationalhuman rights obliga- tions but also from the perspective of human dignity in the context of an interconnected world. A detailed case study is offered that examines the right to free- dom of association in the Australian context. There has been a series of significant changes to Australian labor law in recent years. The Rudd-Gillard Labor government claimed that recent changes were to bring Australia into greater compliance with its obligations under internationallaw. This policy was presented to electors as in sharp contrast to the Work Choices legislation of the Howard Liberal-Nationalparty coalitiongovernment.
    [Show full text]
  • GCC Policies Toward the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and Yemen: Ally-Adversary Dilemmas by Fred H
    II. Analysis Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia, preside over the ‘Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2016’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on 4 December 2016. GCC Policies Toward the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and Yemen: Ally-Adversary Dilemmas by Fred H. Lawson tudies of the foreign policies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries usually ignore import- S ant initiatives that have been undertaken with regard to the Bab al-Mandab region, an area encom- passing the southern end of the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and Yemen. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become actively involved in this pivotal geopolitical space over the past decade, and their relations with one another exhibit a marked shift from mutual complementarity to recip- rocal friction. Escalating rivalry and mistrust among these three governments can usefully be explained by what Glenn Snyder calls “the alliance security dilemma.”1 Shift to sustained intervention Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE have been drawn into Bab al-Mandab by three overlapping develop- ments. First, the rise in world food prices that began in the 2000s incentivized GCC states to ramp up investment in agricultural land—Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi all turned to Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as prospective breadbaskets.2 Doha pushed matters furthest by proposing to construct a massive canal in central Sudan that would have siphoned off more than one percent of the Nile River’s total annual downstream flow to create additional farmland.
    [Show full text]