Political society dissolved for grave violation of laws

Manama : An opposition Society was dissolved yesterday for violating the Kingdom’s laws and regulations, almost one year after another Society was permanently shutdown for similar reasons.

This came as the judicial authorities in the Kingdom yesterday ordered to dissolve the National Democratic Action Society (Waad) and liquidate its assets.

The order followed a complaint lodged by Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa against the Society.

The minister said that the Society has committed violations that harm the principle of respecting the rule of law, support terrorism and support for those convicted of inciting, promoting and practicing violence, in addition to promoting changing the country’s political system by force.

“The High Civil Court ordered the dissolution of the National Democratic Action Society (Waad) and the liquidation of its assets,” a statement issued by the ministry said. Waad had issued statements earlier this year, glorifying three cop killers who were executed in January.

The ministry explained in its statement, “The court said that Waad used on its official online account the term “Martyrs of the Nations” to refer to criminals sentenced to death after they targeted police officers with explosive devices, resulting in three officers losing their lives. The term is a violation of Article Six of the Political Society Law that stipulates that societies must protect the independence and security of the Kingdom and its national unity and reject all forms of violence.”

“Waad also expressed its solidarity with Al Wefaq National Islamic Society which was dissolved per a court ruling in 2016 after it was found guilty of questioning the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and adopting deviant political activities, inciting violence and illegal rallies and sit-ins likely to cause sectarian sedition in the country. This alignment is in breach of Clause 4 of Article 7 of the Political Society Law that bans association or cooperation with any political society that doesn’t respect the principles and articles of the constitution or the premises of the political regime in the Kingdom,” it was clarified in the statement.

The ministry revealed that Waad announced a solidarity statement with other societies that it rejected the 2002 Constitution as illegitimate.

“This attitude is in breach of Article 6 of the Political Society Law that calls for complying with the principles of the National Action Charter and the Constitution and respect for the rule of law,” the ministry stressed.The ministry said that the arguments presented by Waad in its defence could not constitute a valid explanation for its attitudes and breach of the law, particularly in light of the terror incidents that hit Bahrain.

“The Society, as a popular national organisation, was supposed to help protect the security of the Kingdom within a spirit of national unity and social peace as stipulated in the Constitution and the law, and not to praise criminals who had carried out terror attacks or to support political societies that harmed the state’s public interests as confirmed by a court of law,” the ministry’s statement mentioned.

 “Waad has deviated off the normal course of political activities by issuing statements and declarations that were likely to harm public interests, undermine security and stability. The society also failed to recognise the Constitution and thus violated the articles of the Political Society law,” the ministry added.