Once again parliament is used to reduce our freedoms (arabic) of expression, using the now standard guises under which draconian laws are to be introduced:
These gems are hidden within the text of a bill by the Independent Bloc to put in a law against internet crime at the next session which is starting on October 1st, 2005. The report in today’s Al-Wasat citing Yousif Al-Hermi, the very MP who elevates the criminals of Iraq to the level of martyrs and freedom fighters.
To be fair, some of the suggestions included in the bill are valid and very much needed, computer/internet crime is on the rise globally, though there are no local statistics I know of to show Bahraini involvement in any of these, other than piracy. We need protection against ID theft, spam, viruses and worms and the various other online crimes and criminal activities for sure, but why include the above points in the bill? For one, they are already addressed by other laws the most prominent of which is the Press Law number 47 (arabic).
It seems to me that parliament is hell bent now not just on restricting the freedoms of expression and personal freedoms, they are now falling over each other to close down any expression of dissent both online and offline, as we have seen by the various condemnations (arabic) of the recent London Seminar in paid-for large advertisements in two Arabic local papers. I think they thought of (or someone thought for them more like) new ways to reduce our already low threshold of freedoms.
And to think that parliament and its members are put there in the first place to protect our freedoms and increase them…
Comments
More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
Is the Independent Bloc the worst political party in parliament? Everything they’ve touched they’ve imprinted the word ‘forbidden’ on it. At least Asalah and co have got the excuse of having some sort of ideology, while these guys just have knee jerk authoritarianism.
Re: More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
They are absolutely rediculous. WHO exactly are they pandering to? Every time I read some of the crap they (and others) put out I shudder and images of civil/sectarian war flash through my head. I wonder if they even consider that in their “deliberations”.
More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
Whatever happened to Bashmi’s proposal?? I haven’t heard of any movement on it since late last year I think.
And does anyone have any idea what the current status is of Press Law 47? Everyone keeps saying that the Law is still under “deliberation” by the government, but I haven’t read of any indications that the government might budge on this since last year also.
Re: More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
That’s in burried in some committee (Legislative or Service I can’t remember which) awaiting their highnesses to finish with more important proposals like how to officially wipe your bum before prayer before they get to such a mundane proposal.
However when I spoke to Bashmi last, he wasn’t that sure that they will get to it during this term, he’s hoping someone will take it up purposefully next term and pass it in the first session.
Until then, Press Law 47 is all we got.
More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
[quote]When will sensible people like you get out there and make a difference while I am alive?[/quote]
Because sensible people tell the truth.
Truth has no place in politics. Truth hurts. Truth does not win votes.
Because humans are, in general, selfish assholes who prefer an echo chamber to challenges. Prefer structure and people telling them what to do rather than self-sovreignty.
More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
Some people have nothing to do or do not know how to do anything or have no choice to do anything so they find relgion as a sourch or guidance to focus on and get feverish and then encourage the mindless clerics to follow suit and then they have common casue to take the people back to the dark ages like the bin-ladens and taliban.
Why do you think the government will never give full democracy in Bahrain atleast for the time being? Because the people who can determine and work for the future of Bahrain and help Bahrain to improve like you Mahmood do not get elected and those who can’t do crap, get elected by stupid public and screw up the lives of others. On top of that you got morons boycotting the system to make a point but do not get the point themselves.
When will sensible people like you get out there and make a difference while I am alive?
Re: More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
Truth has its place inspite of politics and does get votes.
However in a monarchy with morons running the parliment truth does not get out of the royal dungeon nor does it get a legit face. It gets swept under the carpet of decrees and laws forced down the throats of the miserable to make them forget and forgive without choice.
Not everone thinks like you and feels like you. There are many good, learned people in Bahrain who are capable of governing this country but may never stand a chance or do not see the value in taking a chance.
Many mistake shave been made and many are still being made because once the wheels have been set in motion it is dififcult for the driver to satify all the passengers and turn the wheels to each ones happiness. This is how a democracy develops.
Yet I wish for small miracles to happen like good people and sensible people to come out and be counted and make a difference.
Re: More freedoms of expression restrictions promised by parliament
Truth has its place inspite of politics and does get votes.
However in a monarchy with morons running the parliment truth does not get out of the royal dungeon nor does it get a legit face. It gets swept under the carpet of decrees and laws forced down the throats of the miserable to make them forget and forgive without choice.
Not everone thinks like you and feels like you. There are many good, learned people in Bahrain who are capable of governing this country but may never stand a chance or do not see the value in taking a chance.
Many mistakes have been made and many are still being made because once the wheels have been set in motion it is dififcult for the driver to satisfy all the passengers and turn the wheels to each ones happiness. This is how a democracy develops. Sadly though!
Yet I wish for small miracles to happen like good people and sensible people to come out and be counted and make a difference.