Manama: Bahrain’s lower chamber of the bicameral parliament on Tuesday pushed for new regulations for organising rallies and demonstrations.
Under a proposal to amend the law on assemblies and rallies, organisers have to present a warranty cheque of 20,000 dinars (Dh194,073) before they are given the licence to go ahead with their plans.
Other suggested amendments allow owners of homes or businesses in the rally area to object to the mass event.
An attempt by the parliament’s legal consultant to explain that the proposal could be a violation of the constitution was overruled by the lawmakers who said that they wanted an end to the “abuse of the freedom to organise rallies” and to the “sabotage of business interests” by repeated rallies and demonstrations.
The proposal will be debated by the upper chamber of the parliament and in case it is endorsed, it will be referred to the government.
