Manama: Bahrain's social development minister has defended her ministry's record in dealing with non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
"We have 526 registered NGOs in Bahrain up to November 2010, and in the last ten years only two organisations faced administrative action," Fatima Al Beloushi said.
"One was dissolved by a court ruling and the other by an administrative decision. This represents an average of 0.37 per cent, which is really negligible by international standards," the minister said.
The ministry came under local and international fire after it dissolved the board of the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) in September and appointed an interim chairman until a general assembly is held to elect a new management team.
Violations
Legal and administrative irregularities, including favouring one segment of the Bahraini society over the others, were the main reasons for the decision.
"We looked at the society's activities and found that it had not been neutral and that it violated the 1989 Societies Law in calling for its general assembly and electing a new board and in coordinating with unlicensed groups," the minister said.
The decision was legally challenged by BHRS, Bahrain's oldest rights watchdog.
The society, established in May 2001, made history in 2005 by becoming the first Arab rights group to inspect a prison and issue a public report.
According to Fatima, the ministry has worked closely with the International Centre for Non-Profit Law (ICNL) on a new draft law as part of a broader process of development and support to Bahrain's civil society.
Fatima insisted that there was no change to the law prohibiting Bahraini NGOs from taking financial donations or assistance from any foreign group, country or entity with the approval of the ministry.
