Bahrain court suspends main Shia opposition group a month before election

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/28/bahrain-al-wefaq-shia-opposition-suspended

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A Bahraini court has issued an order suspending the activities of the country’s main Shia opposition group, less than a month before parliamentary elections are to be held, the group and a defence lawyer have said.

The ruling against al-Wefaq means the group effectively cannot operate for three months in the Gulf-island kingdom. The ruling on Tuesday prevents it from organising rallies and press conferences, issuing statements or using its offices, lawyer Abdullah al-Shamlawi said.

Earlier this month, al-Wefaq announced it was boycotting elections scheduled for 22 November. It feels the government has not made genuine reconciliation efforts following widespread protests directed at the Sunni monarchy that began in 2011 and were dominated by the Shia majority.

It fiercely criticised the decision in a statement and vowed to “continue in its struggle for democratic transition and justice”.

“Al-Wefaq considers the measure irrational and irresponsible,” it said, accusing the Bahraini leadership of “ruling with an iron fist” and attempting to crush the political life of the country. “The regime is heading to a unilateral life and replacing the people with sham foundations and projects,” it said. There was no immediate comment from government officials.

Al-Wefaq was established in 2002 after the announcement of political reforms the previous year.

Bahrain’s justice ministry, headed by a member of the royal family, earlier this year filed a lawsuit against al-Wefaq that led to Tuesday’s decision. It said it was taking the group to court so it can “correct its legal status” after failing to comply with transparency rules when holding general meetings, according to a report at the time by the state news agency.

The lawsuit was filed just weeks after al-Wefaq members met US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, Tom Malinowski, who was subsequently ordered to leave Bahrain. The expulsion has strained relations between Bahrain and its longtime ally, which bases the US navy’s 5th fleet in the country.

Al-Wefaq head Ali Salman said he was surprised by the verdict. “We will appeal for sure and will continue on our peaceful struggle and path.”