US embassy cable - 05MANAMA76

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000076 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2016 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, KDEM, BA 
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO RESUME 
ACTIVITIES IN DEFIANCE OF GOVERNMENT CLOSURE 
 
REF: A. 04 MANAMA 1658 
     B. 04 MANAMA 1503 
     C. 04 MANAMA 1489 
     D. 04 MANAMA 1482 
     E. 04 MANAMA 1744 
 
Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) announced 
January 6 that it would resume its activities in defiance of 
the government's decision to dissolve the organization in 
September 2004.  Members of the group voted unanimously to 
support the move.  BCHR President Nabeel Rajab said the 
Center was acting within its rights, as the Bahraini 
constitution guarantees the freedom of peaceful assembly. 
Rajab told PolOff that following the announcement, the Center 
has not actually resumed its activities because he and others 
in the group are busy writing two reports, one of which is 
part of the MEPI-funded Internews regional review on freedom 
of the press.  When those two reports are completed later 
this month, Rajab said the Center would resume a full range 
of activities -- from conducting studies on the human rights 
situation to organizing forums and demonstrations.  (Note: 
If the Center is re-opened, demonstrations would fall outside 
of its charter in purely legal terms, risking running afoul 
of the government once again. End Note.) 
 
2.  (SBU) The BCHR filed a court case challenging the 
constitutionality of its closure, and the High Civil Court 
will announce its verdict on the case January 31.  The 
Center's members expect the Court to side with the GOB. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  The BCHR's participation in the MEPI-funded 
Internews project is an example of the positive, practical 
services the organization provides in Bahrain.  The BCHR 
enjoys popular support in certain circles, especially among 
Shia, and knows this is its biggest advantage in challenging 
the GOB.  Rajab understands that the decision to resume its 
activities could provoke the government to act against him 
and his colleagues.  He continues to express hope that he and 
the government can find accommodation that would allow the 
BCHR to operate legally. 
MONROE