MANAMA, 30 July 2005 — Some 3,000 Bahrainis marched in a silent protest in the capital Manama yesterday to express their opposition to a recently adopted law that governs the activities of political societies. The political groups claim the law curbs their activities and subjects them to more scrutiny.

Some of the protesters had taped their mouths in a symbolic gesture showing they have been silenced by the passage of the law. A view that is supported by eight opposition political societies.

The protest follows days of intense activity by the opposition groups, some of which had voluntarily shut down and others had even weighed permanent closure after the law was adopted by the Parliament.