Bahrain continues to play US State Department as fools – passes free speech law as “twitter offense” trial for Democracy leader, Nabeel Rajab hangs in balance

Bahrain passes new law on freedom of speech
22 May, 2012 – Trade Arabia

Bahrain’s Shura Council has approved an amendment to the Penal Code that will allow people to exercise freedom of expression and speech in line with the Constitution and the National Action Charter, without any repercussions.

It means that members of the public will be free to voice an opinion, as long as it does not directly threaten or insult others.

The Shura Council last week postponed a vote on the amendment, based on complaints that it was unclear.

It approved the legislation yesterday after Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa said it was in line with international freedom of expression conventions.

Shaikh Khalid explained that freedom of expression did not give people the right to commit criminal acts or harm others.

He also stressed that social context and Bahraini culture must be taken into account when deciding if someone had overstepped the mark.

‘If someone is holding a banner demanding something, we can’t punish him,’ he explained.

‘But if he is naked then that’s not freedom of expression. The judge will have to also assess related circumstances to decide whether to punish someone or free them.’

Shura Council public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Faoud Al Haji said the new legislation struck the right balance. …more