Bahrain: Amnesty International Calls for Revocation of March Ban

Local Editor

Amnesty International Organization demanded Bahraini authorities to revoke the ban on marches and demonstrations, stating that this counts as a violation of freedom of speech and peaceful gatherings.

Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Hasiba al-Hadj Sahraoui stated, "The ban cannot be implemented on all sections of society based on different incidents caused by individuals", CNN reported. She also indicated that Bahraini officials must support and protect marches, freedom of speech, and peaceful gatherings instead of imposing and generalizing this ban. Earlier, the Bahraini regime had prohibited all marches and gatherings that political associations led by Al-Wifaq Bahraini Association held last Monday.

What is more, the municipality bloc of Al-Wifaq Bahraini Association condemned the arrest of its municipality member Abed al-Rida Zuheir on the grounds of holding a popular gathering in al-Aker village that witnessed a week-long besiege by regime forces.
On another note, the opposition's political associations in Bahrain refused the ban of marches and gatherings, and stressed in a statement that, "Our march as a nation is ongoing till true democracy is reached."
 It also indicated that the ban violates Genève's regulation and fundamental human rights stipulated in international conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Source: CNN, edited by moqawama.org