Bahrain's Refugee Policy: Open Doors Or Closed?

Bahrain is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention on Refugees or its 1967 Protocol. There is no domestic legislation granting asylum or refugee status, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) covers Bahrain through its office in Saudi Arabia, and only a very small number of people are registered with it and residing in Bahrain as refugees.

Bahrain is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the key legal documents that form the basis of the UNHCR's work. They define the term "refugee" and outline the rights of refugees and the legal obligations of states to protect them. The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that refugees should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

The 1967 Protocol broadens the applicability of the 1951 Convention by removing the geographical and time limits that were initially part of it. These limits restricted the Convention to persons who became refugees due to events occurring in Europe before 1 January 1951.

By not being a signatory to these agreements, Bahrain is not bound by these definitions, rights, and obligations. This means that refugees in Bahrain do not have the same rights and protections as they would in countries that have signed the agreements.

The situation in Bahrain regarding refugees is further complicated by the country's struggle to develop humane policies for its foreign workers. Bahrain has a large expat population, with immigrants outnumbering citizens. The country has adopted labour reforms and set up new rights-related institutions, but observers note a significant gap between stated intentions and reality on the ground. There are concerns about the treatment of foreign workers, including reports of abuse, exploitation, and a lack of protection.

There is no domestic legislation granting asylum or refugee status

Bahrain is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention on Refugees or its 1967 Protocol. There is no domestic legislation granting asylum or refugee status, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) covers Bahrain through its office in Saudi Arabia. According to the UNHCR, only a very small number of people are registered with it and residing in Bahrain as refugees.

Bahrain has a growing problem of stateless people, known as Bedoon

In Bahrain, the Bedoon are dissidents who have been denied citizenship and are now stateless. They are generally categorized into three groups: stateless tribespeople, stateless police/military, and the stateless children of Bahraini women who married Bedoon men.

Due to their stateless status, the Bedoon face difficulties in obtaining civil documents, securing employment, and accessing healthcare, education, and other social services available to Bahraini citizens. Consequently, many live in relative poverty and are confined to working in the informal sector.

The Bedoon population in Bahrain is not as large as in Kuwait, but it is a significant issue nonetheless. The Bahraini government should take immediate action to resolve this situation by granting Bedoon Bahraini citizenship, protecting them from human rights abuses, and ceasing violations of their rights without delay.

Bahrain is renowned as the best place for expats to settle

Bahrain: The Best Place for Expats to Settle

Bahrain has a reputation as the "best place for expats" due to its affordability, ease of visa acquisition, and digital readiness. It offers a secure and welcoming environment with high levels of online government services and digital payment options. Here are some reasons why Bahrain is renowned as the best place for expats to settle:

Secure and Welcoming Environment

Bahrain provides a safe and inviting atmosphere for expatriates, with the government committed to upholding the rights of all workers, regardless of their background. The country has implemented various laws and regulations to ensure expatriates are treated fairly and respectfully, enjoying rights such as safe working conditions, freedom from discrimination, and access to medical care.

Golden Residency Visa Programme

To promote stability and security for expatriates, Bahrain introduced the Golden Residency Visa programme. This initiative allows current residents and foreign nationals to stay or invest in the country for an extended period, fostering a sense of belonging and permanence.

Digital Readiness and Online Services

Bahrain is known for its digital readiness, with a high level of online government services. Expatriates can easily manage various aspects of their lives through digital platforms, including visa applications, residency permits, and even daily tasks like digital payments and accessing government information.

Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)

The LMRA is a dedicated legal entity that ensures the protection of expatriate workers' rights. They provide education on rights, offer a multilingual Service Agreements Portal to document contracts, and work closely with embassies and civil society institutions to safeguard workers' well-being.

Expatriate Employee Rights

Bahrain has a legal system specifically designed to protect the rights of expatriate employees, including regulations governing the relationship between employees and employers. The Service Agreements Portal ensures transparency and accountability by providing a reliable platform for formalizing and documenting contracts, enhancing trust between parties.

Affordable Housing and Wide Range of Accommodation

Bahrain offers a variety of housing options, from apartments to stand-alone villas and gated compounds. The country is known for its affordable housing, making it an attractive destination for expats seeking a comfortable and cost-effective place to live.

Strong Expat Community and Social Scene

Bahrain has a vibrant expat community with a range of clubs and social activities. Expats can easily connect with others through clubs, volunteer opportunities, and a variety of restaurants and recreational activities. The country's small size means you'll quickly feel at home and run into familiar faces.

In conclusion, Bahrain's combination of a secure environment, favourable visa policies, digital readiness, strong legal protections for expatriates, affordable housing, and a vibrant expat community make it a top choice for those seeking to settle in a new country. Its progressive initiatives and focus on expatriate rights have solidified its reputation as the best place for expats to build a new life.

Bahrain has a complex civil society, which pre-dates the reforms introduced by King Hamad

Bahrain has a long history of civil society activism and a complex political landscape, with a mix of Sunni and Shi'ite populations and a ruling Sunni royal family. While King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has implemented a series of reforms aimed at transforming Bahrain into a constitutional monarchy, the country's civil society dynamics pre-date these reforms and have their own complexities.

Before King Hamad's reforms, Bahrain's political landscape was characterised by repression and frozen political participation. The country experienced a Shi'ite-led Intifada during the 1990s, and the king's father, Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, had imposed a state of emergency and suspended the elected parliament in 1975. This led to massive unrest and highlighted the deep socio-political problems in the country.

When King Hamad took power in 1999, he focused on achieving stability and improving living standards in a nation riddled with profound tensions after the 1990s uprising. He implemented a range of reforms, including granting amnesty for political opponents, allowing freedom of speech and association, and drafting a national charter for reform and a new constitution. These reforms were met with widespread popular enthusiasm, and a referendum was held in February 2001 to approve the king's reform program.

However, disappointment arose when King Hamad unilaterally promulgated a new constitution that limited the legislative powers of the parliament in favour of a consultative council appointed by him. This led to a boycott of the 2002 parliamentary elections by opposition organisations, including the Islamist Shi'ite group Al Wifaq. The king's regime also redrew parliamentary constituencies to benefit Sunni candidates and granted citizenship to several thousand Sunnis serving in the military and security forces.

As a result, the elected parliament did not reflect the country's socio-political reality, and the elections exacerbated the sectarian character of Bahraini politics. The Shi'ite movement became divided, with some leaders opting for cooperation with the regime, while young militants refused to abandon their demands for a totally free political life, an empowered parliament, and economic rights.

In 2011, Bahrain was rocked by protests inspired by the Arab Spring, demanding an end to corruption, discrimination, and the recruitment of foreigners into the military. The government responded with a brutal crackdown, including violations of human rights, which led to international condemnation. King Hamad commissioned the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) to investigate the abuses, and while he accepted its findings and promised to implement human rights reforms, little progress has been made in addressing the country's human rights and political crisis.

In summary, Bahrain's civil society is complex and dynamic, with a history of activism and political dissent. While King Hamad's reforms aimed to improve the political climate and address some of the country's issues, they fell short of resolving the underlying socio-political problems, and the country continues to grapple with calls for more equitable distribution of positions and jobs.

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