A Bahraini mother risks losing custody of her child to a husband under whose care their now six-year-old daughter was reportedly sexually abused and raped at the age of four
Case 1:
Nooria Ebrahim, a computer specialist at a private company, was divorced by her husband shortly after the birth of their daughter. The couple were married in 1998, and divorced three years later. Their short marriage was allegedly plagued with financial difficulties and restrictions placed upon her by her husband. The child currently lives with her mother.
Ms Ebrahim’s husband, formerly a marketing manager at a private company and currently working in the one of Bahrain’s ministries provides the child with BD 40 for food, clothing, school and medical expenses per month.
According to an independent medical examination by police officials in a child abuse unit, their daughter was sexually abused. According to Ms Ebrahim, the abuse occurred while the child was visiting her father’s family home, and she tried to warn him about the abuse she suspected their daughter was undergoing. Ms Ebrahim believes the abuser is the teenage nephew of her ex-husband.
Suspicions about the abuse initially arose when their daughter would act strange and uncomfortable when her diaper was removed, Ms Ebrahim said. “At that time I took her to the doctor, she made physical testing and said that she had not been [raped], but she told me to careful.”
More than a year later, the issue arose once more. “She said he took me upstairs,” said Ms Ebrahim.
The child reportedly described the abuse by telling her mother that her cousin would lick her face, and touch her genitals. “Sometimes she would cry and tell me she doesn’t want to go to her father’s house.”
Ms Ebrahim filed a report with the police, who confirmed the abuse after conducting an interview between the child and a child abuse specialist. Although the judge presiding over the court case is aware of the abuse he has continued to grant Ms Ebrahim’s ex-husband longer custody of the child.
According to the couple’s divorce papers, which Ms Ebrahim claims was drawn up by her husband and a corrupt judge who accepted a bribe from him, custody of the child would be transferred to the father after the age of 7. Her ex-husband has now filed for custody of their child, and the case will be heard in court today (May 31).
Case 2:
The Emirati ex-wife of a Bahraini Interior Ministry employee continues to be harassed and followed while she embroiled in a court case for custody of her children. The ex-husband of Suad Fathalla, who has no relatives in Bahrain, is now reportedly trying to pressure her into giving up the apartment she shares with her children, and has stopped providing alimony because of a judge’s ruling.
After leaving her allegedly abusive husband in 2003, Suad Mohammed Fathalla (Ref: 07011401), is currently battling for custody of her three children (eldest aged 14). She temporarily lost custody of her children after her ex-husband filed a court case against her accusing her of being a prostitute.
Even though Ms Fathalla was acquitted of the charges the Sharia Court granted custody of the children to their father.
In September 2006 Ms Fathalla’s husband, who is a policeman,threatened her at gunpoint. Ms Fathalla has also reportedly been physically assaulted by members of her ex-husband’s family.
Anonymous callers have allegedly told her that she will never get custody of her children, and warned that they will harm her if she continues to publicise her case.
Her ex-husband has reportedly also been appearing outside her house and brandishing his gun in order to frighten her.
Her case has been transferred to a civil court, where the judge reportedly refuses to allow her to speak in court. Previously, her son was allegedly verbally reprimanded and forced to leave the courtroom when he stated that he would choose to live with his mother.
Ms Fathalla will reappear in court on June 20.
“There is a lot of corruption in the Justice Ministry and the Sharia Courts,” said Ms Jamsheer.
“We are asking local and International NGO’s and human rights workers to stand with these women because they are suffering.
“And I ask His Majesty King Hamad now, as head of the supreme council of judges to stop these Sharia judges from taking these actions against women and children. “We call for a renewal of efforts to draft and implement a personal status (family) law in Bahrain, as a means of protecting and promoting the rights of women and children under Bahraini law.”
Bahrain Center for Human Rights – Manama, Bahrain