DOCSLIB.ORG

Dáil Éireann

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dáil Éireann Vol. 772 Wednesday, No. 2 11 July 2012 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Dé Céadaoin, 11 Iúil 2012. Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 337 Order of Business ……………………………… 348 Membership of Joint Committee: Motion ……………………… 352 Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Amendments from the Seanad ………… 352 Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Amendments from the Seanad ………………… 354 Topical Issue Matters ……………………………… 354 Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage … … … 355 Estimates for Public Services 2012: Message from Select Committee …………… 380 Ceisteanna — Questions Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Priority Questions …………………………… 380 Other Questions …………………………… 389 Message from Select Committee ………………………… 396 Topical Issue Debate Public Order Offences …………………………… 396 Family Law Cases ……………………………… 402 Ballylongford Landbank …………………………… 405 Road Improvement Scheme ………………………… 407 Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (resumed) … 410 Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage …………………………… 423 Second Stage ……………………………… 423 Committee and Remaining Stages ……………………… 434 Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (resumed)………………… 435 Health Service Budget: Motion (resumed)[Private Members] ……………… 436 Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (resumed)………………… 461 Personal Explanation by Minister ………………………… 467 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 471 DÁIL ÉIREANN ———— Dé Céadaoin, 11 Iúil 2012. Wednesday, 11 July 2012. ———— Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Leaders’ Questions Deputy Micheál Martin: It is clear that the personal affairs of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, are not completely in order, despite the Taoiseach’s statement yesterday, given that he has failed to honour a High Court order on the debt. What is even more alarming is the complete lack of order in the financial affairs of the Department of Health and the health service. The latest reports suggest that the deficit overrun was close to €280 million by the end of May and the figure rose by €80 million in one month. It is projected to go to €500 million. Thanks to a freedom of information request by Mr. Martin Wall of The Irish Times, we have received insight into the incredible correspondence ongoing within the health service. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin—— Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: The Deputy used to be responsible for the Department. Deputy Micheál Martin: ——wrote to the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, urging him to take personal charge of the financial issues within the health sector. The Secretary General of the Department of Health has responded to letters from the chief executive of the HSE, Mr. Cathal Magee. The Minister abolished the board of the HSE—— Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: The Deputy abolished the health boards. Deputy Micheál Martin: ——and took pride in it but put nothing in its place. Deputy Finian McGrath: Deputy Durkan should calm down and take a breath. Deputy Micheál Martin: He said he was taking personal charge of the HSE. Deputy Ruairí Quinn: It is called taking responsibility. Deputy Simon Harris: The Deputy would not understand that. Deputy Micheál Martin: Last Thursday there was a meeting between the HSE interim board and representatives from the Department. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: The health boards were abolished by the Deputy’s party. 337 Leaders’ 11 July 2012. Questions Deputy Micheál Martin: It is extraordinary as the chairman of the HSE happens to be the Secretary General of the Department. He is chairing the meeting where the chief executive is present. The health officials are now on the board as well and they cannot agree the figures. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: That was the creation of the last Government. Deputy Micheál Martin: They cannot agree a plan on reducing the deficit. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: The Deputy’s party created that position. Deputy Micheál Martin: The chief executive, who is on the board, is writing to the chairman of the board in his capacity of Secretary General of the Department of Health. The chairman is writing back indicating that he has a better way of doing things. All the officials are on the board as well. An Ceann Comhairle: Could we have a question? Deputy Micheál Martin: One day these people are Department of Health officials and the next they are members of the board of the HSE. Deputy Michael Noonan: Who made those arrangements? Deputy Micheál Martin: It is a complete farce. An Ceann Comhairle: Could I have a question? Deputy Micheál Martin: It is farcical. There is no HSE governing board. The serious issue is that the chief executive of the HSE has indicated the assumptions underlying the health Esti- mate are no longer valid. An Ceann Comhairle: Could we have a question please? The Deputy is over his time. Deputy Micheál Martin: He was very polite. I have made it clear that I think the figures were essentially falsified at the beginning of the year and this Estimate never had a chance of coming to realisation. Deputy John Browne: They would be digging deep. An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is over time. Deputy Micheál Martin: Is there a plan to bring the deficit into order? Given that over 2,450 beds have been closed in the service, with difficulties for young people with intellectual disabilities etc—— An Ceann Comhairle: I have said the Deputy is over time. Deputy Micheál Martin: How is it proposed to reduce the deficit—— Deputy Finian McGrath: There are no services. Deputy Micheál Martin: ——and will the Taoiseach guarantee that there will not be any erosion or undermining of front-line services to people? Will a Supplementary Estimate be introduced to deal with the crisis in health at the moment? The Taoiseach: I will take no lectures from the Deputy on the health matters in this country. 338 Leaders’ 11 July 2012. Questions Deputy Willie O’Dea: We will take a lesson on health history now. Deputy Barry Cowen: We are talking about the Government’s budget. Deputy Niall Collins: Will the Government talk about its own actions for a change? An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy should stay quiet, it is none of his business. The Taoiseach: The Deputy sat over here as Minister responsible for health matters and denied any responsibility for anything happening in the Department of Health. He said he had no responsibility. Deputy Arthur Spring: He would commission a report. The Taoiseach: The Deputy’s colleague in that Government set up the HSE and said there would be no redundancies after putting 13 health boards together. That Government poured hundreds of millions of euro in taxpayers’ money into the black hole of a financial system within the health service that was unable to deliver the services that our patients and people need. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: Hear, hear. Deputy Paudie Coffey: Perhaps the Deputy has heard of PPARS? The Taoiseach: The Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, has been left to clean up the most unholy mess—— Deputy Barry Cowen: He is cleaning up all right. Deputy Mattie McGrath: It is a mess. The Taoiseach: It is the legacy of a Government that was out of control—— Deputy Barry Cowen: More of it. An Ceann Comhairle: I will not continue to tolerate this. The next person who starts roaring and shouting will go outside the House. Deputy Mattie McGrath: Is that on both sides? An Ceann Comhairle: It applies to both sides. Deputy Barry Cowen: What about Bernard? The Taoiseach: I will not take any lectures from Deputy Micheál Martin on the performance and legacy of what was left of the health system. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: Hear, hear. An Ceann Comhairle: I have warned Deputies. The Taoiseach: The Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the Government have set our targets for spending in the health service and every other Department. There will be no supplementary budget this year as the agreements set out last year must be achieved. With the interim board of the HSE, the Minister is dealing with the matter, and we had some discussions about that last week. It seems to me that Deputy Martin is exceptionally well briefed, even without the help of the Freedom of Information Act, but that is nothing new. 339 Leaders’ 11 July 2012. Questions Deputy Micheál Martin: It reflects very much on the Taoiseach’s commitment to trans- parency that we must use the Freedom of Information Act to get the real story of what is going on with the health service. Deputy Niall Collins: Hear, hear. Deputy Willie O’Dea: Hear, hear. An Ceann Comhairle: Could we have a question, please? Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: Hear, hear. Deputy Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach chairs the Cabinet sub-committee on health. He must be aware of the letter from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who gave a lecture to the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. He told the Minister for Health to take personal charge of this issue, so alarmed was he at the lack of governance—— Deputy Barry Cowen: Exactly. Deputy Micheál Martin: ——or control. There was no sense of who was in charge. An Ceann Comhairle: Is there a question? Deputy Micheál Martin: It was the Minister, Deputy Reilly, who abolished the board with great fanfare and trumpeting. He put no alternative or substitute in place. What we are cur- rently experiencing is farcical. There is no governance structure in place and there will not be one before the end of this year. It is absolutely disgraceful. An Ceann Comhairle: Could I have the Deputy’s supplementary question? Deputy Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has ruled out a Supplementary Estimate. There are people out there in hospitals at the pin of their collar trying to make ends meet. They cannot understand what is ongoing at the higher levels of governance.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bahrain Imprisonment, Torture and Statelessness: the Darkening Reality of Human Rights Defenders in Bahrain International Mission Report
    BAHRAIN IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE AND STATELESSNESS: THE DARKENING REALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN BAHRAIN International Mission Report June 2015 Cover photos: Photos of Hussain Jawad, Ghada Jamsheer, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Sayed Ahmed Al-Wedaei, Ibrahim Al-Dimistani, Naji Fateel, Madhi Abu Deeb, Mohammed Al-Maskati, Zainab Al-Khawaja, Taïmoor Karimi and Nabeel Rajab. All rights reserved. Directors of publication: Karim Lahidji, Gerald Staberock Authors of the report: Safya Akorri Edition and coordination: Alexandra Pomeon O’Neill and Miguel Martín Zumalacárregui Design: CBT / Lay out: Stéphanie Geel Imprimerie de la FIDH Dépôt légal juillet 2015 FIDH (English ed.) ISSN 2225-1804 – Fichier informatique conforme à la loi du 6 janvier 1978 (Déclaration N° 330 675) 2 The Observatory IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE AND STATELESSNESS: THE DARKENING REALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN BAHRAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 4 METHODOLOGY . 5 I. THE CONTEXT: A SHRUNKEN SPACE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS . 6 A. Political context ..............................................................6 B. Legal framework . 8 B.1. Restrictions to freedom of association .......................................8 B.2. Criminal provisions used to repress human rights defenders .....................9 II. CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS SUBJECTED TO JUDICIAL HARASSMENT IN BAHRAIN 11 • Mr. Madhi Abu Deeb. .11 • Mr. Ibrahim Al-Dimistani. 13 • Mr. Naji Fateel. 15 • Ms. Ghada Jamsheer .........................................................17
    [Show full text]
  • The UK's Relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
    House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee The UK’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Fifth Report of Session 2013–14 Volume II Additional written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be published 12 November 2013 Published on 22 November 2013 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited The Foreign Affairs Committee The Foreign Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its associated agencies. Current membership Rt Hon Richard Ottaway (Conservative, Croydon South) (Chair) Mr John Baron (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay) Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife) Rt Hon Ann Clwyd (Labour, Cynon Valley) Mike Gapes (Labour/Co-op, Ilford South) Mark Hendrick (Labour/Co-op, Preston) Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) Andrew Rosindell (Conservative, Romford) Mr Frank Roy (Labour, Motherwell and Wishaw) Rt Hon Sir John Stanley (Conservative, Tonbridge and Malling) Rory Stewart (Conservative, Penrith and The Border) The following Members were also members of the Committee during the parliament: Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth (Labour, Coventry North East) Emma Reynolds (Labour, Wolverhampton North East) Mr Dave Watts (Labour, St Helens North) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk. Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including news items) are on the internet at www.parliament.uk/facom.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Bring Stability to Bahrain BLUEPRINT for U.S
    How to Bring Stability to Bahrain BLUEPRINT FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY FEBRUARY 2015 Human Rights First American ideals. Universal values. On human rights, the United States must be a beacon. Activists fighting for freedom around the globe continue to look to us for inspiration and count on us for support. Upholding human rights is not only a moral obligation; it’s a vital national interest. America is strongest when our policies and actions match our values. Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. We believe American leadership is essential in the struggle for human rights so we press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they don’t, we step in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms. We know that it is not enough to expose and protest injustice, so we create the political environment and policy solutions necessary to ensure consistent respect for human rights. Whether we are protecting refugees, combating torture, or defending persecuted minorities, we focus not on making a point, but on making a difference. For over 30 years, we’ve built bipartisan coalitions and teamed up with frontline activists and lawyers to tackle issues that demand American leadership. Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York and Washington D.C. To maintain our independence, we accept no government funding.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain 2016 Human Rights Report
    BAHRAIN 2016 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy. King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa, the head of state, appoints the cabinet, consisting of 26 ministers; 12 of those ministers were members of the al-Khalifa ruling family. Parliament consists of an appointed upper house, the Shura (Consultative) Council, and the elected Council of Representatives, each with 40 seats. Approximately 52 percent of eligible voters participated in parliamentary elections held in 2014. Turnout was significantly lower in opposition districts, due in part to a decision to boycott the elections by the main opposition political societies and a lack of confidence among opposition communities in the electoral system. The government did not permit international election monitors. Domestic monitors generally concluded the authorities administered the elections without significant procedural irregularities. There were, however, broader concerns regarding voting-district boundaries. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. The most serious human rights problems included limitations on citizens’ ability to choose their government peacefully, including due to the government’s ability to close arbitrarily or create registration difficulties for organized political societies; restrictions on free expression, assembly, and association; and lack of due process in the legal system, including arrests without warrants or charges and lengthy pretrial detentions--used especially in cases against opposition members
    [Show full text]
  • FR Afrique Du Nord Et Moyen Orient Regarder
    AFRIQUE DU NORD ET MOYEN-ORIENT OBSERVATOIRE POUR LA PROTECTION DES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE L'HOMME RAPPORT ANNUEL 2011 21 ANALYSE RÉGIONALE AFRIQUE DU NORD ET MOYEN-ORIENT OBSERVATOIRE POUR LA PROTECTION DES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE L'HOMME RAPPORT ANNUEL 2011 Un large mouvement de contestation populaire réclamant plus de libertés et de justice secoue depuis décembre 2010 plusieurs pays d’Afrique du Nord et du Moyen-Orient. Déclenché par l’immolation d’un jeune chômeur tunisien confronté à des difficultés économiques et à l’injustice sociale, le soulèvement de la population tunisienne a trouvé un écho dans les pays voisins également sujets à la corruption, à l’injustice sociale et à la répression. Ces mouvements ont connu une ampleur et des conséquences différentes selon les pays. En Tunisie et en Egypte, ils ont contraint les dirigeants à quitter le pouvoir après des décennies de despotisme et de violations flagrantes des libertés fondamentales. En Algérie, en Jordanie, au Maroc et à Oman, les chefs d’Etat se sont engagés dans la voie de la réforme, en promettant une large révision constitutionnelle. Dans le Territoire pales- tinien occupé (TPO), les autorités ont annoncé l’organisation d’élections présidentielle et législatives dans les prochains mois. En Irak, les autorités ont entrepris une série de mesures en vue de lutter contre le népotisme et la corruption, principale revendication des manifestants. D’autres régimes ont au contraire répondu au mouvement contestataire par une répression violente des manifestations (Bahreïn, Libye, Syrie, Yémen). Les auteurs de ces graves violations des droits de l’Homme sont en outre restés impunis en dépit de certaines déclarations gouvernementales annonçant la création de commissions d’enquête sur les violences survenues lors des manifestations (Syrie).
    [Show full text]
  • Updates on the Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain
    Issue #2 September 2016 Updates on the Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain Enclosed a report on the 33rd session of the Human Rights council 400 Students Remain Detained with Launch of Academic Year The founder and president of the Bahrain Teach- ers’ Association (BTA), and assistant Secretary General of the Arab Teachers Union, Mahdi Abu Deeb, said on his Twitter account, “while students wear their school costumes, carry their school bags and go to their schools, there are 400 stu- dents that are detained and deprived from the right to education.” He, also, confirmed that it is the government’s full responsibility to overcome all hardships for the sake of the right to education, rath- er than create hardships. Therefore, “each detained student is in their protection as long as they are detained.” Mahdi Abu Deeb A Bahraini Boy Kept in Solitary Confinement On Sunday (September 4, 2016) Mostafa al-Motgha- wi (16 years old), the brother of the activist Ahmad al-Motghawi, received a summon to be present for interrogation at the Budaiya Police Station where he was arrested and kept in custody in the following day over charges of demonstrating in Duraz. On Wednes- day (September 7, 2016), Mostafa was transferred to the criminal investigations department building, despite the prosecutions’ deci- sion to release him. His lawyer and family members Mostafa al-Motghawi were not allowed to visit him. On Sunday (September 18, 2016), the tion. Bahraini authorities released Mostafa The two boys face charges related 12 days following his arrest. to taking part in Duraz protest that In a similar move, the authorities de- has being ongoing since over 90 days cided to detain boy Ali Mohammad Al- against revoking the citizenship of Aya- Moamen for 7 days pending investiga- tollah Sheikh Isa Qassim.
    [Show full text]
  • April 2012 6 Flawed Reforms Bahrain Fails to Achieve Justice for Protesters
    FLAWED REFORMS BAHRAIN FAILS TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR PROTESTERS Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. First published in 2012 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW United Kingdom © Amnesty International 2012 Index: MDE 11/014/2012 English Original language: English Printed by Amnesty International, International Secretariat, United Kingdom All rights reserved. This publication is copyright, but may be reproduced by any method without fee for advocacy, campaigning and teaching purposes, but not for resale. The copyright holders request that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other circumstances, or for reuse in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, prior written permission must be obtained from the publishers, and a fee may be payable. To request permission, or for any other inquiries, please contact [email protected] Cover photo: Bahraini anti-government protesters react as riot police throw sound bombs at their feet to disperse them in Qadam, Bahrain, 17 February 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain “Freedom Has a Price” Two Years After Bahrain’S Uprising
    BAHRAIN “FREEDOM HAS A PRICE” TWO YEARS AFTER BAHRAIN’S UPRISING Amnesty International Publications First published in February 2013 by Amnesty International Publications International Secretariat Peter Benenson House 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW United Kingdom www.amnesty.org © Amnesty International Publications 2013 Index: MDE 11/005/2013 Original Language: English Printed by Amnesty International, International Secretariat, United Kingdom All rights reserved. This publication is copyright, but may be reproduced by any method without fee for advocacy, campaigning and teaching purposes, but not for resale. The copyright holders request that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other circumstances, or for reuse in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, prior written permission must be obtained from the publishers, and a fee may be payable. To request permission, or for any other inquiries, please contact [email protected] Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. CONTENTS Restricted rights to freedom of expression,
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain 2013 Human Rights Report
    BAHRAIN 2013 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy. King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa, the head of state, appoints the cabinet consisting of 29 ministers; 13 of those ministers, excluding the deputy prime ministers, are members of the Sunni al-Khalifa ruling family. The parliament consists of an appointed upper house, the Shura (Consultative) Council, and an elected Council of Representatives. Approximately 17 percent of eligible voters participated in parliamentary by-elections for 18 seats vacated by the political opposition societies in September 2011. Independent human rights organizations did not consider the by-elections free and fair. In May 2012 the king ratified constitutional amendments broadening the powers of the elected chamber of parliament. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Security forces committed human rights abuses. The most serious human rights problems included citizens’ inability to change their government peacefully; arrest and detention of protesters on vague charges, in some cases leading to their torture in detention; and lack of due process in trials of political and human rights activists, medical personnel, teachers, and students, with some trials resulting in harsh sentences. Other significant human rights problems included arbitrary deprivation of life; lack of consistent accountability for security officers accused of committing human rights violations; arrest of individuals on charges relating to freedom of expression; reported violations of privacy; and restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and some religious practices. The government at times imposed and enforced travel bans on political activists in conjunction with arrest charges. The government maintained the revocation of citizenship for 31 individuals and issued a decree regulating communications between political societies and foreign entities, which had not been enforced by year’s end.
    [Show full text]
  • The Darkening Reality of Human Rights Defenders in Bahrain
    1 PRESS RELEASE - THE OBSERVATORY Imprisonment, torture and statelessness: The darkening reality of human rights defenders in Bahrain Publication of an International Mission Report Paris-Geneva, June 25, 2015. Human rights defenders in Bahrain are operating in a shrinking space, says the Observatory in a report published today. The report documents the judicial harassment of 11 human rights defenders including lawyers, teachers, doctors or bloggers. All have suffered or been threatened with imprisonment, torture or statelessness as a consequence of their activities in defense of human rights. “There is no doubt that the judiciary is doing everything to help the regime silence dissent and muzzle those who speak out against the human rights violations being perpetrated in Bahrain”, said Safya Akorri, French lawyer mandated by the Observatory to collect testimonies from Bahrain about the situation of human rights defenders. Four years after the massive pro-democracy demonstrations at Pearl Roundabout, the Bahraini legal arsenal has evolved to allow even greater repression of the right to freedom of expression and assembly. Amendments made to the anti-terrorism laws in 2013 and to the Bahraini citizenship law in July 2014, the latter of which enables the Ministry of Interior to revoke the citizenship of those it deems to have “caused harm to the interests of the Kingdom”, have ravaged Bahraini civil society. “Human rights defenders in Bahrain are living the worst moments of their lives”, reports Mohammad al-Maskati, Former President of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and current Digital Security Consultant at Front Line Defenders. While the trial of FIDH Vice Secretary General, Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), was the impetus for the mission, the new report also documents the cases of lesser-known human rights defenders, all of whom have suffered judicial harassment at the hands of the Bahraini authorities.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain in Accordanc
    ITUC INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION CSI CONFÉDÉRATION SYNDICALE INTERNATIONALE CSI CONFEDERACIÓN SINDICAL INTERNACIONAL IGB INTERNATIONALER GEWERKSCHAFTSBUND MICHAEL SOMMER Office of the High Commissioner PRESIDENT PRÉSIDENT for Human Rights PRÄSIDENT PRESIDENTE SHARAN BURROW GENERAL SECRETARY SECRÉTAIRE GÉNÉRALE GENERALSEKRETÄRIN SECRETARIA GENERAL HTUR/JSV 17 November 2011 Universal Periodic Review – Bahrain In accordance with UN Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1 of 2007, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC),1 representing 175 million workers in 151 countries and territories through 305 national affiliates, together with Education International (EI)2, a global union federation representing over 30 million teachers and education employees, file this submission outlining serious and systematic violations of fundamental human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain committed in 2011. The mission of the ITUC is to combat poverty, exploitation, oppression and inequality, ensuring the conditions for the enjoyment of universal human rights, and promoting effective representation of working women and men worldwide. We hope that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will consider these comments when it undertakes its review of Bahrain under the Universal Periodic Review framework in 2012. This submission details serious and systematic violations of the Right to Freedom of Association and to Organize and Non-Discrimination in Employment and Occupation. These include the mass dismissal or suspension of Bahraini workers due to their involvement in protected strikes and other trade union activity and/or due to discrimination on the basis of their political opinion; the arrest and prosecution of trade union leaders for same; the unilateral elimination of dues check-off in order to starve unions of economic support; and the unilateral amendment of the Trade Union Law with the intent to weaken the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU).
    [Show full text]
  • Follow Us on Twitter: @ADHRB and Facebook
    Champions for Justice: Bahrain’s Prisoners of Conscience More than four years since the Bahrain government’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protestors, arbitrary arrests, injuries to protestors and politically motivated prison sentences continue. Numerous Bahrainis remain behind bars today, including hundreds of prisoners of conscience. Every month, ADHRB, BIRD and BCHR ask all defenders of human rights to take part in highlighting each of these prisoners as a Champion for Justice by tweeting about them under the hashtag #BahrainPrisoner and changing their Facebook profile picture to a picture of the featured person. We also ask that you write to your Member of Congress about these prisoners. Below is a summary and update on all of the Bahraini prisoners we have featured in the Champions for Justice campaign over the past year. Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace is a mechanical engineer, prominent blogger, and human rights activist who has promoted human rights as a member and leader of multiple political societies. Dr. Singace was arrested in 2011 for his participation in the peaceful protest movement. During his initial detention, Dr. Singace was subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including forced standing, verbal and sexual assault, beatings, and prolonged solitary confinement. He was tried in the National Safety Court in June 2011 and sentenced to life in prison for allegedly plotting to topple the government. Dr. Singace continues to face deteriorating health conditions as a result of torture in addition to his previous medical aliments that have only worsened under the minimal care provided whilst he remains in prison. Nabeel Rajab has been the subject of persecution by Bahraini security forces for his activism for years prior to the breakout of major protests in the country in 2011.
    [Show full text]