BAHRAIN:-

As a result of their attempts to look for job securing decent life, the unemployed in Bahrain have made every effort to approach State offices and establishment, without success. The unemployed have decided to approach King Hamad to pass their voice and agony, by peacefully gathering near his court. Such gathering was postponed, last Tuesday 22 November, upon a dialogue between a delegation from the

Royal Court while the rest of unemployed picketed near the University of Bahrain in Isa Town.



Representatives of the Royal Court made promises to carry out immediate measures to employ the list of the unemployed passed to them. No actions were taken since the meeting on Tuesday after noon (one week passed).



Representatives of the Royal Court, who said that they have clear instructions from the King to solve the problem of the unemployed, have broken their promises. The unemployed have decided to declare for a peaceful picket near the Royal Court, next Tuesday (29th November). They have informed the Southern Police Station at Riffa, where the Royal Court is. Their letter was refused on the basis, they say, the Royal Court is forbidden area.



Since their declaration, members of the unemployed have been subjected to different kinds of harassment and aggravation. Mohsen Salman (23yrs- Jidhafs residence) of the dialogue team, was summoned by the head of the Southern Police Station -shaikh Khalifa bin Ahemd Al-Khalifa- and interrogated for three hours. He was the subject of intimidation and was asked to pull the letter of the committee regarding the picketing as Riffa is forbidden area. Mohsen refused to withdraw the letter and hence was threatened of beating. The rest of the unemployed was also threatened if approaching the Royal Court as planned.



Mosa Abdali from Ma'ameer- Sitra, another member of the dialogue team, was attended late at night near his house by Five cars with armed security individuals, in civilian clothes. He was asked to drive with them, which he refused as they hold no legal permission. He fled and then was chased and fired at by rubber bullets. He was caught, violated and beaten severely at sensitive areas of his body. He was threatened and was asked to pass message to the unemployed before being deserted at remote area in the dark. He was told that the same treatment will be passed to the rest of the committee and the unemployed if they donot call off next gathering at the Royal Court.



Since then, news and rumours have been passed of heavy preparation by the special branch of the Bahrain Defense Force to be around the Royal Court tomorrow (Tuesday, November 29th) to prevent the peaceful picketing of the unemployed. This will recall the attack of the same forces on the unemployed last June, when the latter were severely beaten and battered in the same area.



We appeal to all human rights organizations, humanitarians and media to intervene to protect the pacific unemployed who are asking for their rights of decent jobs.



We appeal to all dignitaries and national posts to condemn the security measures by the State to violate the basic rights for jobs.



We appeal to all sensible and rational individuals to seek solving the unemployed issue by sticking to promises for decent jobs for the unemployed and social security against unemployment. It is appeal not to revert use of force and violence against the peaceful picketing which will have negative impact on Bahrain and its fame.



The Unemployed Committee

28th November 2005