Rights group's board elections put off indefinitely

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI.

BOARD elections at the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) were postponed yesterday until further notice.

The Social Development Ministry decided to call off elections at the last minute, after auditors looking into the society's finances failed to present their report on time.

Former BHRS secretary-general Abdulla Al Deerazi, who is the only candidate for the top post, said he hoped the elections would go ahead soon - allowing the society to resume its work.

"We just want to do our human rights work under the frame of law and that is why we want the elections to be held as fast as possible," said Dr Al Deerazi.

"There are nine people running for elections to the nine seats on the board, with no-one running against me for secretary-general and it will be easy for the ministry to hold the elections.

"I don't know if, with this postponement, new candidates can enter considering that under the society's bylaws, the last day for nominations is a week before the actual election date, but that is not important compared with members voting."

Dr Al Deerazi was last month suspended from his job as an English language lecturer at Bahrain University pending investigations into unrest since February.

The society's board was dissolved last September for alleged legal and administrative violations, prompting members to file a court case against the decision.

However, BHRS members and the ministry reached an out-of-court settlement on February 9.

Dr Sabeeka Al Najar, a founding member of the society in 2002, was nominated in March by former board members to prepare reports and call for elections within a month.

Her role as an administrator will be extended until board elections take place.

The society hit the headlines last August when journalists claimed they were insulted for asking why its members had not condemned an attack on the managing editor of a Bahraini newspaper, who had been critical of those behind escalating street violence such as tyre burning.

However, the society denied the claim.


(2011-5-8/gulf-daily-news)