HAPPY TO BE HOME

DOWN and out expat Tony O’Connor, who fell on hard times in Bahrain and was left homeless and sleeping on the streets, was all smiles this week … back home in England.

Tony, who celebrates his 57th birthday next Friday, is finally free of a travel ban which restricted his movement out of Bahrain while at the same time prohibiting him from renewing his residence permit or finding alternate employment.

He was one of six desperate individuals – caught up in a controversial bureaucratic and Catch 22 legal minefield – who have managed to come to an agreement or arrangement over debts and have been allowed to leave the kingdom and return to their home countries in recent months.

With the help of friends, the British Embassy and the expat community, Tony, who once commanded a monthly salary of more than BD4,000 as a former regional human resources director, has managed to negotiate with his creditors and break free of the restrictive legal clutches and the travel ban imposed on him since December 2008. He is understood to have owed more than BD30,000 to banks, credit card companies and his landlord which continued to accumulate over time.

Tony flew home on December 30 after paying an agreed BD1,000 to his creditors. The money and ticket home was raised by charitable individuals and various social organisations. He was greeted at London’s Heathrow Airport by members of his family.

Talking exclusively to the GulfWeekly from his new temporary home in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, Tony said that is looking forward to starting a new life and finding a job, adding: “I raised my head to the sky, thanked God and took a deep breath of cold air as I stepped off the plane at Heathrow. I then called my daughters and had an English cup of tea. It has been a huge relief!

“This was the best New Year wish I could ever have been granted and I have to thank the many big-hearted people in Bahrain who came to my assistance,” naming businessman David Axtell, campaigner Carol Melrose and another individual who has asked to remain anonymous as he is currently involved in another delicate round of negotiations, as significant supporters.

“I would also like to thank everyone at the Ecumenical Conference of Charity (ECC) and St Christopher’s Cathedral,” he said. “I would also like to thank the British ambassador Iain Lindsay and the embassy staff for raising this issue with the Bahraini authorities, particularly the immigration authorities and making things easier and smoother.

“This has been a long and difficult story. I have lived from one day to another trying to remain positive and ever hopeful.”

Tony’s downfall began when he was made redundant in September 2008 and failed to secure a similar position. He struggled to make ends meet and his debts increased. The banks slapped a travel ban on him after he missed his payments and subsequently he faced a seven-week jail term.

With a travel ban imposed, he was unable to attend the funerals of his mother and sister or meet up with his daughters who were studying at British universities.

When his plight was highlighted in another local newspaper, Tony’s landlord threw him out and he was left living on the streets before being spotted sleeping on a bench in Manama by a Good Samaritan who rescued him and gave him food and shelter. His woes did not end there as he also lost a potential job offer because of his status in Bahrain.

The ECC stepped in to support Tony by supplying him with food. The Human Rights Watch Society also assisted with housing.

Eventually after several rounds of negotiation Tony’s creditors agreed to his travel ban release and British Embassy officials worked towards securing the official documentation for his departure and waiving the fines imposed on him for staying in the country without the necessary legal permits.

The embassy currently has a record of nine British citizens involved in travel ban cases adding that there may be more unreported cases. Unofficially some activists place the number of individuals living on travel ban of all nationalities in the kingdom in the thousands.

Calling it a ‘daunting experience’ Tony said he continues to have much affection for Bahrain, which was his home for close to eight years. He is hopeful of finding a job although he admits it will not be easy considering his age and the current UK economic circumstances.

Although he was found on the streets of Bahrain on the verge of contemplating suicide, he is a relieved man today. He said: “I am not anti-Bahrain ... it is the system that is wrong. I would like to tell others caught in a similar situation that there is light at the end of the tunnel so remain positive.”

He urges victims to make contact with their embassies at the earliest opportunity and keep comprehensive records.  A page on the social networking site Facebook called ‘Banned from Travel - Gulf States’ is also bringing individuals in similar circumstances together.

Tony said: “I think there are a lot of good people out there still trying to get out of the predicament they find themselves in. The only way to survive is by helping each other. I am happy to talk on Skype or give whatever help possible to another person in need.

“Most importantly, I want to tell everyone to live within their means. Don’t get loans or use credit cards that offer a ridiculous credit limit if at all possible. It is deceptive and plays on the psychology of the people. You don’t consider what will happen if things go wrong. This is the harsh lesson I have learned.”

David Axtell, chairman of St. Christopher’s Cathedral said: “Our unnamed friend deserves the most credit for mentoring Tony through some extremely difficult periods in his life, helping him get back on his feet and re-develop his self-confidence and always providing him with hope. 
 
“Even through difficult times in Bahrain it is heart-warming to see the number of people who would set aside personal hardships to continually help someone facing greater difficulties than themselves. 

“Tony’s problems serve as a reminder to all of the dangers of getting into debt in a foreign country, even one they consider to be home. He found himself in a vicious circle where he was unable to leave Bahrain to find new employment yet was also banned from working while here.  Slowly his financial position deteriorated until he was forced to rely on others simply to survive.

“Back in England he will now be able to get the help that he so desperately needs and will be again able to rely on the support of his family who he has not seen for years. Those coming from a Western, particularly European background, may believe that there is social support and housing in Bahrain for those in need. Unfortunately this is not the case.

“Furthermore, while progress is being made, a ban from employment while also being prevented from leaving the country can be disastrous. “

Last week’s GulfWeekly revealed the British ambassador’s resolve to tackle the travel ban issue head-on this year. He had said that he is working to resolve individual issues with the Bahrain authorities and with other embassies to try and reform the current system.

Thanking everyone involved in bringing the case to a close, Mr Lindsay said: “Our advice to those facing bans would be to seek the help of a lawyer as soon as possible. The embassy can provide a list if required.
 
“We are also currently working closely with the Bahrain government and a representative of those subject to travel bans to address the various problems caused by them.”

The British Embassy site also carries a warning on their travel advice page. It reads: “Visitors must have legal status in Bahrain when they depart. You may be prevented from departing Bahrain if you are subject to a travel ban, involved in legal proceedings, have unpaid debt, or are a child subject to a custody dispute. Visitors can incur heavy fines if they overstay or fail to extend their legal residency.”

Administrator of a social networking site Facebook group, Banned from Travel - Gulf States, Carol Melrose added: “Tony was a victim of an archaic Travel Ban system in Bahrain that does not do anything for the business reputation of the country and presents serious ethical questions to those who impose them.”

She is urging financial institutions to reconsider such action as she says it does not make sense to place a travel ban on a customer who has debts to pay, knowing that this very action stops them from working to pay back the debt.

Questioning compliance with international banking standard practices and the humanitarian aspect of this system, she said: “The system is also now being questioned by global human rights organisations, that I have contacted to bring awareness to obvious human rights violations.  I was glad to be able to help Tony in any way I could.

“I wish him all the best for 2012 and hope that he can finally put this chapter of his life behind him and progress to a new future at home where he can be with his friends and family.”