US embassy cable - 05MANAMA646

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000646 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, KCRM, BA 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH MINISTER OF SOCIAL 
AFFAIRS AL BELOOSHI 
 
REF: MANAMA 501 
 
Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1.  (C) The Ambassador called on Minister of Social Affairs 
Dr. Fatima Al Belooshi April 27 and discussed with her the 
planned May 6 demonstration for constitutional change, formal 
registration of a USG-funded project to address trafficking 
in persons (TIP), and NGO development.  Al Belooshi said that 
the group organizing the May 6 demonstration had not legally 
registered with the government, so did not have the right to 
organize the march.  The government wants to establish a 
culture of freedom of expression, but people must follow the 
rules to avoid chaos.  She will meet with the Minister of 
Interior shortly to finalize the registration for the 
International Organization for Migration's (IOM) TIP project, 
and commented that a "positive solution" was coming.  End 
Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Unregistered Organization Cannot Sponsor March 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2.  (C) In his April 27 meeting with Minister of Social 
Affairs Dr. Fatima Al Belooshi, the Ambassador raised the 
planned May 6 demonstration for constitutional change.  He 
noted that the Minister had been quoted in the press saying 
that the secretariat general for the constitutional 
conference was not a registered organization, and so could 
not legally organize a march.  Al Belooshi said that in 
Bahrain, there was a tradition of ad hoc groups forming for a 
specific purpose and then "continuing forever."  The 
secretariat general, she said, should register with the 
 
SIPDIS 
government so the two entities could communicate formally. 
Alternatively, it could operate as an interest group under 
the umbrella of a previously registered NGO.  She warned 
there would be confusion if the government did not require 
groups to register.  She said that if the secretariat general 
applied to hold the march, the application would be denied 
because it is not a legal organization.  (Note:  The decree 
for law number 18 of 1973 concerning public meetings, 
processions, and gatherings requires that citizens in good 
standing living in the area where the event will take place 
must notify/notify the local police at least three days prior 
to the event.  The police chief may not prevent the gathering 
unless it disrupts security or public order.  Legal sources 
confirmed that this is the only active law covering marches 
and demonstrations.  End Note.) 
 
3.  (C) The Ambassador commented on the positive outcome of 
the controversy surrounding the March 25 unauthorized 
demonstration organized by leading Shia opposition society Al 
Wifaq (reftel).  He told the Minister that she defused a 
potentially explosive situation in a way that seemed to 
satisfy all sides.  He asked about the commitments Al Wifaq 
had made to her.  Al Belooshi responded that she had asked Al 
Wifaq to abide by the law and its own charter, and President 
Shaikh Ali Salman had agreed.  The planned May 6 march is not 
being organized by Al Wifaq and, if the organizers plan to 
move ahead, the government must take legal action against 
them.  (Note:  Al Wifaq is the largest group supporting the 
activities of the constitutional conference.  End Note.)  The 
Ambassador said that the United States views freedom of 
expression and political participation as essential to the 
region moving toward democracy, and Bahrain should find ways 
to move freedom of expression forward, through civil society, 
NGOs and marches. 
 
4.  (C) Al Belooshi said that Bahrain wants to establish the 
culture of freedom of speech.  She encourages NGOs to express 
themselves in many ways, not only through marches.  The 
democratic process is new in Bahrain, and people must learn 
to listen to one another with respect.  She said that the 
government does not mind marches, but people must follow the 
rules to avoid chaos. 
 
---------------------------- 
Movement on IOM Registration 
---------------------------- 
 
5.  (SBU) The Ambassador said that the Embassy was still 
waiting for word on Bahrain's registration of the USG-funded 
IOM project on trafficking in persons.  The IOM 
representative arrived in Bahrain in September 2004 and 
waited until December to receive official registration, at 
which time he departed the country.  He has promised to 
return as soon as the project is registered.  Al Belooshi 
said that the GOB has no clear process to register 
international NGOs.  Under Bahraini law, the organization 
must register as a local society, ensuring that its by-laws 
are in conformance with Bahraini requirements.  She admitted 
that most international NGOs do not want to go through this 
process, and suggested that perhaps the MFA could serve as 
the sponsoring body.  (Note:  The MEPI-funded National 
Democratic Institute project in Bahrain operates under the 
auspices of the MFA.  End Note.)  In the specific case of 
IOM, Al Belooshi said that she will meet with the Minister of 
Interior shortly to finalize the registration.  She said that 
a "positive solution" was coming. 
 
6.  (SBU) The Ambassador stated that the IOM project is 
focused on TIP issues, with an aim of improving the situation 
on the ground in Bahrain for trafficking victims.  Such 
practical measures would have a positive impact on Bahrain's 
TIP report ranking in 2006.  The Minister said that Interior 
was currently taking meaningful steps to combat trafficking. 
It was in the process of buying property for shelters for 
foreign workers in distress, and hiring staff.  Interior was 
also developing separate shelters for abused Bahraini women 
and children.  It had already designated four apartments as 
shelters for Bahraini families. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Ministry Department to Focus on NGO Development 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
7.  (SBU) Al Belooshi told the Ambassador that after three 
months in her position, she was still struggling to 
restructure the ministry and attract additional resources. 
She stated that one of her priority areas is to create a 
department focused on NGO development.  She wants to 
introduce new ideas to Bahrain's civil society organizations, 
many of whom "operate like they did 20 or 30 years ago."  The 
ministry should play a positive role in society, not just 
ensuring that NGOs abide by the law.  She noted that the 
government occasionally receives donations, and it wants to 
pass these on to deserving NGOs.  She is working with civil 
society leaders to establish a board that would decide how to 
allocate these funds. 
 
MONROE