Bahraini MPs on Thursday debated the increasing number of political gatherings in front of ministries and vital facilities such as hospitals and schools that are causing traffic disruption, as well as harming the public interests of citizens.
MP Adnan Al Maliki told the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) that after receiving a large number of complaints from citizens about the large number of sit-ins and rallies at critical locations had disrupted the normal life, he would discuss this matter with the Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa next week to find effective rallies law implementation procedures.
According to the law on public gatherings, marches or rallies, which has been waived since February 19th, the second article stipulates that each public meeting organizer to inform in writing the Public Security head before three days at least.
The law also forbids any demonstrations and public rallies near hospitals, airports, shopping malls or any location that relates to traffic jam and security, rallies are not allowed before sunrise or after sunset, except those written specially by the President of the Security-General or his representatives.
MP Deputy Abdel Halim Murad denied the withdrawal of his filed interrogation that some newspapers had written.
“This interrogation is based on the public demand that began to suffer from fear and dread entering SMC which is the most important medical facility in the Kingdom,” he added.
Head of the Committee for Foreign Affairs and Defence and National Security at the House of Representatives Khamis Al Rumaihi said that the Committee did not omit the discussion of this matter with the Interior Ministry, pointing out that the principle of licensed peaceful expression marches are that they are away from vital facilities and in particular the sovereign ministries and services.
MP Deputy Adel Asomi stressed the need to distance manifestations of politicization and sit-ins from vital facilities and specially the hospitals, emphasizing that the deputies are putting citizens’ interest above any other considerations.