March 17 - April 4, 2007

The following is a summary of reform related articles appearing in outlets from the region from March 17 to April 4:

Bahrain

• Bahrain Journalists Association revealed that it will launch a Code of Ethics for Bahraini Journalists very soon.  The Code will be launched in a celebration to which all media outlets will be invited.  The launching of the Code aims to reinforce unity of journalists and their solidarity in defense of their rights at a time when the press witnesses unprecedented hostility against it.  BJA called on all journalists to join the drafting of the Code to ensure that the entire print media body is involved.
• Leading figure in “We Have a Right” movement for the defense of personal rights and freedoms Dr. Abdulla Madani stated that the movement which consists of 31 civil society institutions and some independent personalities are studying to respond forcefully to the brutal attack lead by political religious forces and parliamentarian blocs against culture.
• The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Bahrain (CEEB) closes its doors on June 30, 2007 due to lack of funding.  Assistant Undersecretary for Coordination and Follow up at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak commented on the closure expressing regret and sadness for what he had heard about the center.  He affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain appreciates the achievements and success of the center.  US Ambassador William Monroe said: “the Entrepreneurship Center promoted the concept of enhancing the skills of entrepreneurs here and in the region.  The Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence David Mosby revealed the reasons why the center that was established in accordance with Forum for the Future recommendations in 2004 saying that only the United States and the United Kingdom were financially committed to the centre therefore, “I regret to inform you that the centre will be closed in June.”  (Al Ayyam)
  
• During a parliament session the deputies waged a verbal attack on the local press for taking a position against the deputies and their proposal to form a committee to investigate the Spring of Culture saying that the press called them backward and living in darkness.  Bahrain Journalists Association issued a statement to denounce and condemned the comments of the deputies that criticized the local press which the Association considered a rejected infringement by the legislative authority upon one of the most important civil society institutions in the country.
  
• Minister of Education Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi affirmed the ministry’s interest in including human rights subjects in its future academic plans.  He pointed out the ministry is keen on including human rights in its curricula, such as citizenship which is being taught in the first intermediate class and in high school.  He welcomed the cooperation with the Red Crescent in training teachers and supervisors in this field.
  
• Sayed Salman AlMahfoodh, Deputy Secretary General for the General Federation for Bahrain Labor Union, revealed that the federation decided to meet with the Prime Minister, following the threats and investigations by the Civil Service Bureau to track down trade unions in government establishments.  Wa’ad Society issued a statement demanding the Parliament and the civil rights organizations to put an end to the interrogation of trade union members and activists because it violates their rights and freedoms. (Al Ayyam)
  
• Bahrain Women’s Union announced that it had contacted UNIEFM and Freedom House organization to support the Unions’ work on the family law and it was decided that a roundtable discussion will be held on April 21 with NGOs representatives, lawyers, religious figures and independents to study the status of the draft law.  Head of the union Mariam Al-Ruwai’e said that the Women’s Union will support the idea of quota for women in the parliament because all indications and studies showed that the way is not yet paved to have a woman elected for the parliament.  (Bahrain Tribune)
  
• Participants in the roundtable discussion on “reforming the electoral system in Bahrain” recommended that formation of a committee consisting of all political societies to reach agreement on a new electoral system.  The discussion was organized by Al-Menbar Progressive Democratic Society and attended by leading politicians and Shura First Vice Chairman Jamal Fakhro.  Al-Menbar Society proposed to have the number of constituencies cut down from 40 to 10.
  
• Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa clarified that the visit of the American Jewish Council was not the first to Bahrain. The Council visited Bahrain during the ruling of late Amir Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa in 1996.  He noted that this committee is for Jewish Americans not for Israelis.  They may have relations with Israel but “we must listen to their opinions.  We did not do anything forbidden by meeting with them.”
  

Jordan

• A new businesswomen’s network hub was launched in the capital to empower women, boost women’s entrepreneurship and unleash more economic development to address the region’s urgent needs.  The hub, which is located at Business and Professional Women’s Association Amman, is the eighth to be supported by the US Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).  Speaking at the launch, BPWA President Meisa Batayneh Maani highlighted the importance of networking, capacity building and other BPWA initiatives in opening pathways and creating platforms for Jordanian business women to enable them to move beyond barriers and utilize their positive energies, talents and capabilities in making a difference. (Jordan Times) 
  
• The issue of women’s participation in the parliamentary elections is heating up among women activists and unions; a new drive is mobilizing up to urge the government and all decision makers to maintain the women’s 6-seat quota implemented in the 2003 elections and to even increase its number of seats.  After the royal confirmation sanctioning parliamentary elections this year, women groups found themselves challenged to keep, defend and increase their achievements under the Dome.  According to legal experts, the women’s quota was introduced in the last elections for one single time which means that women should keep up their fight for a second time.
  
• Deputies from the Islamic Action Front (IAF) bloc are calling for a new voting law ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections later this year.  So far, around 10 of the 110 Lower House deputies have signed a petition which they hope to present during an expected extraordinary session of Parliament later this month. More deputies are expected to sign up today.  “We are embarking on parliamentary elections at the end of this year and the government has failed to meet its promise to deliver a new and modern elections law. Therefore, it is our obligation to come up with a new law,” Deputy Zuheir Abul Ragheb said. (The Star)
  

Kuwait

• The Kuwait Transparency Society (KTS) Women Empowering Centre opened the National Forum for Women under “Empowering Kuwaiti Females: A Civilization Demand and Future View.”  Head of the National Forum for Women, Dr Salwa Al-Jassar, also head of the Higher Committee for the National Project for Empowering Kuwaiti Women, said the basic aim of the forum sought to empower Kuwaiti women to effectively take part in whatever could enhance their role to develop the society. (Al Watan)
  
• Political activist and member of Al-Ummah Party Dr Sajed Al-Abdalli recently stressed the importance of recognizing the political parties in the country as the absence of such groups would only ignite conflicts among members of the government. Suggesting the Prime Minister should be chosen from the people, Al-Abdali pointed out “we should not wait for changes to come from outside as the political interests are changing.”
  

Yemen

• Organized by the Women’s Development Administration at Aden’s Social Affairs and Labor Office, a national meeting launched the second phase of a capacity-building project for working women seeking to provide them decent work and social justice. Several women affiliated with the Aden labor office attended the meeting.  Aden Governor Ahmed Al-Kuhlani assured that the state, in collaboration with civil society organizations, is exerting efforts to grant Yemeni women their full rights, especially the right to work. He pointed out that more than 25 women engineers are involved in development projects in the governorate and that they are doing their jobs in a good manner. (Yemen Times)