June 1 - June 11

• Al-Menbar National Islamic bloc issued a statement to express its concern over the process of education and the lack of strategic planning that suits the developments of the era.  The statement warned of emptying the educational process from knowledge which turns it into a mechanical routine process.  The bloc affirmed that education will be on top of its priorities in the next parliament session.  (Al Wasat, Gulf Daily News)

• Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Hassan Fakhro said that a new law for commercial companies is being drafted to replace the existing law which entails a lot of restrictions that are inconsistent with the new commercial climate after the signing of the US-Bahrain Free trade Agreement (FTA).  (Al Wasat, Gulf Daily News, Al Ayam)

                                                             
JORDAN

• HRH Princess Basma on Monday acted as patron at a graduation ceremony for participants of a course entitled “Towards Political Empowerment for Jordanian Women” held at the University of Jordan (UJ). The four-day course, organized by the Higher Council for Youth  in cooperation with UNIFEM and the UJ Centre for Women’s Studies, included lectures on the role of women in municipal and parliamentary elections and the selection of appropriate candidates as well as leadership and citizenship skills and creative thinking. UJ President Khalid Karaki stressed the importance of the program, which enables women to develop their leadership skills and actively participate in political life.  (Jordan Times, Al Dustour)

KUWAIT

• In a workshop organized by the Kuwait Journalists Association, the Kuwaiti Minister of Information, Abdullah Al Muhailbi noted: "If gaps were found in the new Press and Publications Law, amending it is a possibility if it would provide more freedom to the press."  Kuwait’s publication laws were amended in 2006 allowing for more publications to be authorized, but not substantially changing laws which enable journalists to be easily sued for slander.  Journalists’ opinions regarding the controversial new laws were for the most part tinged with disappointment and left wanting for greater freedom of speech. Ashley Kisinger J.D., an international lawyer specializing in publication laws stated to journalists at the workshop that some provisions of Kuwaiti defamation law, as explained to her by the many journalists and editors-in-chiefs in attendance, “are exactly 180 degrees opposite of International Law”. (Al Watan, Kuwait Times, Al Qabas, Arab Times, Al Seyassah, Al Yawm, Al Anbaa)

   

   

  US-Kuwaiti trade talks kicked off at the experts’ level tackling a number of economic issues within the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed between the two countries in February 2004. A Kuwaiti delegation, headed by Assistant Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry for Foreign Trade Abdullah Al-Khaldi held a series of talks with experts at the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), including assistant USTR for Middle East Affairs Shaun Donelly.  The talks are primarily aimed at bringing the two sides into closer understanding on a number of issues related to the TIFA agreement. The TIFA agreement, signed between Kuwait and the United States in February 2004, is seen as a prelude and the first step towards negotiations over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). (Kuwait Times, Al Qabas)

   

 

OMAN

• The ‘Women in Business’ conference highlighted the significance of preparing young women for global challenge through experiences of successful businesswomen. The conference was inaugurated by HH Sayyida Aliya bint Thuwaini al Said in the presence of prominent businesswomen from prestigious business organisations from many countries and the Sultanate. Commenting on the event, HH Sayyida Aliya stressed the importance of the conference in sharing ideas from the experiences of successful businesswomen and learning from the challenges and strategies that enabled them to be successful in their businesses.  (Oman Daily Observer, Al Watan)

• The 5th regional seminar on ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, hosted by the Sultanate in conjunction with the International Labor Organization, kicked off under the auspices of Dr Jumaa bin Ali al Jumaa, Minister of Manpower. Adopted in 1998, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work is an expression of commitment by governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations to uphold basic human values — values that are vital to our social and economic lives.  The Declaration covers four areas: freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of forced and compulsory labor; the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in the workplace. The three-day seminar aims at enhancing the knowledge of professionals at ministries, social organizations and private labor establishments on rights at work stated in the declaration with focus on association freedom and avoidance of discrimination in the workplace. (Al Watan)

• Dr Jumaa bin Ali al Jumaa, Minister of Manpower, presided at Injaz Oman prize giving ceremony for the best students company. Dr Jumaa said that Injaz Oman Prize program, launched last year, is aimed at encouraging students to establish small establishments in schools to market a product or a service. Injaz Oman (or Oman Achievement) was launched by private sector establishments in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Sanad Program to instill a spirit of business culture in students, the minister added.   It was launched in three schools as models for its wider implementation. This year, as many as 3,000 trained students will participate in the program, he noted.  (Oman Daily Observer)

QATAR

• Qatar Foundation (QF) plans to construct a highly advanced state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT) hub – Tier IV Data Centre.  This will be the first certified Tier IV Data Centre outside of North America.  “The construction is to begin late this year and the facility would be commissioned by early 2009,” vice-president Rashid al-Naimi said.  He was speaking at a ceremony that saw QF signing a seven-year Data Centre and Information Technology Services contract with Texas-based Electronic Data Systems (EDS) for the management and operation.  Al-Naimi and EDS’ regional vice-president for EDS Middle East & Africa Charles Cox were the signatories.  (Gulf Times, Al Rayah)

SAUDI ARABIA

• The Minister of Education approved the establishment of an American-style high school diploma program at Dar Al-Fikr school next year. (Al Nadwah, Arab News)

• A meeting took place between the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) with the president and members of the Saudi Human Rights Commission.  Following the meeting, a member Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC), Dr. Zaid al-Hussein, briefed journalists about the discussion between the two parties.  He said that USCIRF was visiting Saudi Arabia to broaden their understanding of many human rights issues, and that the Human Rights Commission had briefed the USCIRF delegation on their activities.  Also, the Human Rights Commission also answered the U.S. delegation’s inquires regarding women’s rights and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.  The HRC acknowledged that the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue has committed certain violations which were reported on in the recent human rights report from Saudi Arabia, and assured the USCIRF delegation that no one in Saudi Arabia is above the law.  The HRC defended the steps taken in the Kingdom on women’s rights issues, including allowing women to participate in some local and international conferences, as well as discussions sponsored by the Center for National Dialogue.  He said that there are no laws in Saudi Arabia which limit the freedoms of women, but cultural traditions and customs may be limiting.  (Arab News, Al Riyadh)

• The Ministry of Education has decided to start teaching English language at the fourth grade level in 10 pilot schools in Jeddah in the upcoming academic year.  Also, The Ministry of Education intends to establish a Shoura Council for children. (Arab News, Al Riyadh)

• Spokesperson for NEA David Foley confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh withdrew an invitation to a dinner of a Saudi citizen accused of funding terrorism.  The former official at the al-Haramain Foundation, Soliman al-Buthe said he received a faxed invitation and subsequently was called by an Embassy official to withdraw the invite.  The article mentioned that the lawyer for al-Buthe advised him not to accept the invitation because if he is on the premises of the Embassy (legally considered American soil), he could be arrested.  However, al-Buthe disclosed that he has previously met with officials from the U.S. Embassy at Embassy-sponsored “public relations” events.  He added, “I have been engaged in dialogue with Americans and I have no problem with the American people.”  (Al Hayat)

• A female owner of a restaurant in Jeddah has received death threats demanding that she close the restaurant.  The restaurant has been visited by Shari’a judges and members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, who have threatened female employees working there.  (Al Jazirah)

UAE

• For the convenience of private and government school students and their parents, the Dubai-based Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched on its website a comprehensive guide on educational institutions in the emirate.  The guidebook on the website www.khda.gov.ae enlists not only schools but also universities, vocational education institutions, centers for students with special needs, childcare, adult education and sports centers, Fatima Al Marri, CEO of Learning Agency, an affiliate of KHDA, said.  (Khaleej Times, Al Ittihad)
  

YEMEN

• The Woman National Organization (WNC) has organized a workshop on gender mainstreaming into political parties and organizations.  The Workshop objective was to acquaint participants with integration approaches to gender issues in political parties through a set of specific components that were demonstrated through out the sessions. In addition, the participants were introduced to the definition of gender and the importance of gender indicators to the development process as well as gender planning and analysis. However, the second day of the workshop was the most vital as participants were trained to update the political parties plans to be more gender integrated and how to include gender issues as specific plans.  (Yemen Times, Al Ayyam)
  

• A seminar was held discussing the legal framework and legal measures in place in the policing and justice system in Yemen on the 30th and 31st of May 2007. The seminar was organized by the Yemeni lawyers syndicate and included the discussion of very important topics, related mainly to the violations in human rights which take place in Yemeni police stations, courts, and prisons.  The seminar has concluded with a number of recommendations for policy makers, including an appeal to the President and the prime minister in order to oblige officials in the ministry of interior and other security agencies to respect and apply the legal articles related to personal liberties and human rights, and never use aggression or battery whether during arresting, imprisonment, inspecting, or wiretapping. (Yemen Times, , Al Ayyam, Al Sahwa)