Front Line is deeply concerned at the decision of the Labour and Social Affairs Minister Majid al-Alawi to dissolve the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR). The BCHR was reportedly closed for “activities contravening the Associations Law of 1989”. This decision took effect as of 29 September 2004. A governmental order was delivered to the BCHR, which also named an official to audit its accounts and activities. The order prohibits the BCHR human rights defenders in resuming all activities and freezes all funds.
The BCHR is a leading human rights organisation in Bahrain and the Gulf region. It is one of the two human rights NGOs to have been authorised in Bahrain when King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa gradually introduced political reforms after becoming ruler in 1999. One of BCHR’s major projects is “The Migrant Workers Group” which protects the rights and interests of its migrant workers, and was due to open a shelter for migrants who were victims of abuse, especially house maids. 
