Bahrain opposition parties: the regime bans protest as a defiant message to the international community

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The National Democratic Opposition Parties in Bahrain condemned the Government’s decision to ban Friday’s protest march considering the decision an expropriation of natural and humanitarian right. The decision aims to further tighten the restriction on the majority of the Bahraini people who demand democracy.The opposition parties reject this arbitrary and unlawful decision that targets the freedom and rights of the people of Bahrain. Our people’s demands are legitimate and essentials to construct a state of justice. We consider the ban decision void and illegitimate because it contradicts international covenants.The opposition parties see that the ban of protests and restriction of freedom is disrespect to the majority of the Bahraini people. We also see that the decision is a clear defiance to the international community that has made repeated calls to stop the ongoing violations of human rights in Bahrain.This decision is the Bahraini regime’s first practical response to the joint statement issued by 47 states that condemned Bahrain’s violations of human rights and called for the respect of freedom of expression for the Bahraini people. The ban is also a message to all member states of the European Parliament that has issued its statement, just hours before the ban, calling on Bahrain to allow freedom of expression and assembly. Thus, the international community must take a practical step to stop the Bahraini regime’s violations of human rights and expropriation of the right to peaceful assembly.The people of Bahrain insist on their natural right to peaceful protest that is ensured by the constitution, law and international covenants.13th September 2013The National Democratic Opposition Parties in BahrainAl-Wefaq National Islamic Society (AlWefaq)National Democratic Action Society (Waad)National Democratic Gathering Society (AlQawmi)Unitary National Democratic Assemblage (Wahdawy)Ekhaa National Society (Ekhaa)/129