Human Rights Watch report on Bahrain flayed

Manama : Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) has slammed a report on Bahrain by an international rights organisation recently.

Terming it as a ‘biased report’, BHRWS General Secretary Faisal Fulad denounced the claims made by the Deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, Joe Stork against Bahrain, accusing the Kingdom of sectarianism.

Fulad said in a letter to Stork that the latter’s sources are “biased and politicised.”

DT News has obtained a copy of the letter, which says: “The report stated that the Bahraini authorities are targeting Shia clerics and are violating their rights. The organisation didn’t transparently seek information from credible sources. Unfortunately, the report is full of wrong information.”

Confirming the religious freedom granted to all beliefs in Bahrain and denying Stork’s claims, Fulad said in his letter: “According to a study conducted by the Jaffaria Waqf (endowment) Directorate (JWD) in 2009, there are around 1,100 registered Maatams (community and religious centres) in Bahrain. Other reports say there are around 5,000 Maatams for men and women in the Kingdom and more than 1,000 registered Shia clerics.” “This is clearly shown during the annual Ashoora commemorations. Thousands of people from the Shia sect annually visit Bahrain during the events of Ashoora,” he pointed out. 

The General Secretary commented, “Opinions may vary about the political and economic situations in Bahrain. But, it’s known to all that freedom of beliefs is guaranteed in Bahrain more than in any other country. Liberty of all beliefs and sects here has been known to all since ages.”

In the letter, Fulad advised the international organisation to seek information from credible sources. 

He also welcomed it to communicate with Shia clerics in Bahrain, who would exchange transparent information with the organisation.