DUBAI — Bahrain has banned opposition rallies in order to prevent disruption to traffic and street violence. But the opposition described the move as a new attempt to silence them. The island state ruled by the Al-Khalifa family has been facing unrest for political reforms since revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. majority Shi'ites, was launched in February 2011 after revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. The unrest has continued with regular organized protests by opposition parties and clashes between riot police and youths. A senior official said the government had no new plans to ban rallies outright, but wanted to make sure they did not turn violent. The Interior Ministry said this week it had banned a series of rallies Thursday and Friday organized by the leading opposition party Wefaq, the latest in a series of publicly announced bans over the past month. It cited public interest and traffic concerns. “Holding these marches will damage people's interests and hold up traffic,” state news agency BNA said latge on Thursday, citing public security chief Tariq Al-Hassan. “The marches cannot be considered as responsible freedom of expression,” it said, adding that march organizers had not been able to control them in the past. Senior Wefaq member Abduljalil Khalil decried what he said was a new policy to end the use of the street to demand reforms. “This will lead to more escalation since people now feel no hope. There is no chance to practise their freedom, they have cornered everybody now,” he said. Amnesty International criticized the bans, saying the government was violating fundamental rights. “There is no plan to stop licensing them (protest marches), but all they are being asked to do is abide by the law,” Minister of State for Information Affairs Samira Rajab told Reuters last week. “Wefaq takes a licence, then from inside the march people appear and throw molotovs at cars. The opposition want to cancel the law in Bahrain, they want to have absolute rights.” The king has given parliament more powers of scrutiny over ministers and budgets. But the opposition want full legislative powers to the elected parliament and full power to form or approve governments, including the position of prime minister. The government held meetings with Wefaq earlier this year on a possible dialogue to resolve a crisis that has slowed the economy of a once thriving banking and tourism center. Wefaq says the ruling family rejected proposals concerning the elected parliament's authority over the prime minister's post and reduced power for the appointed upper house. Government figures said Wefaq had set preconditions, while groups close to the government objected to talks with a movement it blames for protester clashes with police. Last month the United States said there was urgent need for dialogue, warning of increased polarization. Washington's Fifth Fleet is based in Manama. — Reuters
