MANAMA, 8 November 2004 — People taking part in unauthorized demonstrations or protests can be fined up to BD1,000 and jailed for up to two years, if a proposal submitted by the government is approved by the Chamber of Deputies. The draft law issued by the government was presented to the Cabinet and then transferred to the Chamber of Deputies for discussion and approval.
The draft law states that those who call upon, organize or hold unauthorized meetings, protests or demonstrations will be jailed for up to two years or fined up to BD1,000; those who call for a protest under false pretences or hold protests on the basis of false information will be jailed for up to four months and fined up to BD500; and those who take part in violent demonstrations or in those called by the security forces or unauthorized ones will be jailed for up to four months and fined up to BD500.
The draft law also states that board members and members of the management of unions, societies and clubs, including sports clubs, will be jailed for up to six months and fined up to BD500 if they hold an unauthorized meeting at their premises. If a violation occurs at the premises of the unauthorized meeting and the board members do not call it off, they will be fined between BD1,000 and BD5,000. The draft law also says vehicles cannot be used in demonstrations unless approved by the interior minister. When a violation occurs, the security forces can confiscate the driving license, registration and number plates for 30 days.
Human rights activist and a number of independent deputies have vowed not to pass the proposed law. The government had transferred the draft to the Chamber of Deputies for approval after a number of demonstrations turned violent and public and private property, including police vehicles and fire engines, were damaged.
Human rights activists and the independent deputies have launched their campaign to ensure that the draft law is not passed with massive e-mails sent out to the public. The campaigners claim that the law was “a huge step back in rights and freedom.”
“The law should not be passed as it limits freedom and places demonstrations in the same category as parades,” said Deputy Mohammed Al- Abbas. “The law also controls demonstrations that occur after sunset. The law clearly states that demonstrations cannot take place at that time,” he said.
Al-Abbas and Deputy Abdullah Al-A’ali said that they both “refuse the proposal and will work hard to campaign inside the chamber for its refusal.” Human Rights activist Nabeel Rajab said that a massive campaign has started off through e-mail urging the public to contact deputies and campaign for its refusal.
