BCCI, Al Wefaq, rights activists upset over visa bar
The sudden decision by the government to stop issuing work permits to Bangladeshis has set of a flurry of activity among rights activists even as the opposition Wefaq, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and rights activists described it as a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated incident involving a Bangladeshi.
The Bangladesh branches of two Asian networks - the Migrant Forum in Asia and Coordination of Action Research on Aids and Mobility (CARAM) have approached local activist Nabeel Rajab to launch a global petition against the government ban order.
"All major regional and international networks have been informed by us on this discriminatory move by the authorities. This collective punishment brings a negative image to the country, which was just last week elected to the UN Human Rights Council," Rajab told the Tribune, adding that a petition was being drafted for people from all parts of the country to sign which would then be handed over to the leadership for reconsideration.
The BCCI Contractors Committee head, Samir Nass, stating that the ban move was unnecessary, said:
"Based on an isolated incident, we cannot penalise the entire community. Imagine a similar scenario if it were to involve an Indian."
Al Wefaq Deputy Mohammed Yousef Maezal said he sympathised with the family of the Bahraini victim, but felt that the ban was a punishment for the innocent for the act of an accused. "It is against Bahrain's Constitution and Islamic law," he said.
Meanwhile, LMRA's Acting Public Relations head, Waheed Al Belushi, told the Tribune that the ban on visa would not in any way hamper the enrollment process for Bangladeshi workers. "Registration is mandatory for all expats. Besides, renewal of visas for Bangladeshis will also be done according to procedures," he said.
© Bahrain Tribune 2008
