Political societies divided over new regulation

The rift between Bahrain's various political societies over responses to the newly-promulgated Law of Association has widened after the National Charter Society (Al Mithaq) announced that it would discuss the application of the provisions with the Ministry of Justice on Monday.

The decision prompted criticism from the other societies, with the Islamic Action Society denouncing Al Mithaq's double standards and declaring that it would boycott concerted meetings.

Six societies said that they would persist on opposing the law, while ten have yet to announce their final positions.

The situation has exposed the depth of disarray and the magnitude of divisions amongst most of Bahrain's 17 political societies following the promulgation of the new law.

Describing Al Mithaq as the "society of the ruling class", Salah Al Khawaja, vice-president of Islamic Action, expressed doubts about its political line.

"How can we follow the leadership of Al Mithaq? Its members who sit in the Shura (Consultative) Council have passed the Law of Association. Now its adherents are telling us that they have reservations about the law. This double standard makes us uneasy and we have no trust in whatever they say," Al Khawaja said. "I see a trap and we must make sure that we are able to avoid it," he said.

Al Mithaq said it would meet the Minister of Justice on Monday to discuss compliance with the new law and ways to amend some of the provisions with which it is not comfortable.

"We have extended an invitation to several societies to join us at the meeting, and some of them have gladly accepted," Al Mithaq member Mohammad Al Buainain said. He did not name the societies that might attend the meeting, but they are likely to be among the ten that have yet to announce their final stance.

Societies opposing the law said that it gave the government full control over the registration procedures and finances and allowed it to monitor their activities.

Law was ratified on July 30

The new law, passed by parliament in July and ratified by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eissa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on July 30, regulates the internal functioning of associations, their relations with the state and their fund-raising activities.

It states that political associations can be formed only as long as they are not based on class, profession, sectarian, or geographical principles.

Associations have so far represented Sunni and Shiite Islamists, as well as liberals, leftists and Arab nationalists. The law also bans associations from receiving donations from foreign countries. A new provision raises the minimum age to join a society from 18 to 21.

Under the new law, the societies will have to re-apply for their licences from the Ministry of Justice within three months. The grace period started on August 2 with the publication of the new law in the official gazette.