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Shi’ite Bahraini women protesting in front of parliament in 2009 demanding
the introduction of a Jaafari Family Law

‘Yes for Jaafari Family Law’ drive launched in Bahrain

MANAMA, March 3, 2015

A campaign to defend the rights of women in Bahrain was launched yesterday (March 2) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Spearheaded by the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS), the 'Yes for Jaafari Family Law' drive aims to offer greater legal protection for Shi'ite women in domestic disputes such as divorce and child custody, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

A Family Law for Sunni Muslims has been in place in Bahrain since 2009, but Shi'ite political groups led by Al Wefaq National Islamic Society previously vetoed a similar law for the Shi'ite community based on objections from religious leaders.

BHRWS secretary-general Faisal Fulad said the main focus of their drive, launched on the sidelines of the 28th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) yesterday, was to 'address the exploitation' that Shi'ite women allegedly face.

This included 'abuse from husbands, incest and discrimination in the workplace', he claimed

“The silence of the authorities concerned is unacceptable,” he said.

“As part of this campaign we have tried to reach out to every home, where abuses have allegedly occurred.

“This was done as we believe that it is important to monitor and document all abuses against women.”

Fulad said that the BHRWS women's committee had already sent two letters to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, demanding that the issue be raised at the 28th UNHRC meeting in Geneva.

“We haven't heard back yet, so the aim of our campaign on the sidelines of the conference is to attract the attention of the council to our demands,” he said.

According to Fulad, the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence in Bahrain recorded 470 cases of domestic violence against women aged 25 to 45 in 2013, the latest figures available.

“They were abused, either by their husbands or other family members and have reportedly turned to the centre for psychological counselling or physical shelter,” he said, giving as an example the case of a Bahraini teacher, who said that her husband would confiscate her salary, leaving her with just BD5 ($13) a month.

“This is a sheer violation of her rights and being deprived of financial security,” said Fulad.

“Moreover, cases of incest too prevail in our society, which unfortunately families try to hide, due to the shame factor.”

He also noted that it was unfair for women to be forced to remain in unhappy marriages, with the one-sided family law not permitting them to opt for a separation.

“The absence of a Jaafari Family Law prevents women from claiming their rights, even in terms of divorce,” he said.

The regular session of the UNHRC will run until March 27 at the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

In his opening address, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said that 'human rights were disregarded and violated' to 'a shocking degree', 'with alarming regularity'.

The sessions will include reports from commissions set up on Syria, Gaza and Eritrea and discussions on more than 100 reports on country-wise human rights themes. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: campaign | law | Rights | Women |

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