Human rights society seeks recognition

A 13-member group which had applied for permission to form a human rights society nearly two months ago, has appealed to the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Dr Majeed Al Alawi, to recognise and approve their society.

The proposal to set up the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society was put forward by its members on July 17. The move is being led by Shura Council member Faisal Foulad.

Foulad said the society was meant to complement the efforts of other societies and to spread awareness about human rights, not replace any of the human rights societies currently active.

He said the society was distinguished by its religious diversity which includes a Christian and a Jew among its founding members. Foulad also called for respect for the rule of law, adding that the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights former executive director, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, who had been arrested on September 25 should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The society's spokeswoman, Ahdeya Ahmad, said it would be an independent non-governmental body. "Since the human asset is the main asset of this nation, protecting human rights will provide us the security and stability we need to move forward," she said.

The writer is an Arab journalist based in Manama