Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is concerned about undermining of freedom of expression in Bahrain. BCHR called on the authorities to allow journalists to conduct their profession, respect their right to freedom of expression, cease arbitrarily withholding license renewals and drop the charges against journalists who exercise their work.

The Bahrain authorities refused in September 2016 to renew permits of 3 foreign agencies' journalists, which prevented them from practicing their job. Among the journalists were Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer, Mohammad Al-Skaikh, Associated Press (AP) photographer Hassan Jamali and the France 24 and Monte Carlo radio correspondent Nazeeha Saeed.

Based on article 88 of Law 47/2002, which regulates the press in Bahrain, all journalists from foreign news agencies who are based in Bahrain, are prevented from freely conducting their profession of covering the news without first acquiring a license from the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), which must be renewed annually.

Arabic Version