Bahrain isn’t exactly known for its vibrant civil society and liberal democracy, but it has slowly been developing since King Hamad began introducing slow reforms when he took power in 1999. That’s why protests there are so interesting to highlight. Today, 4000 protestors took to the streets because of a law recently passed that would restrict the greater freedom of association that had been earlier granted. I can imagine that wouldn’t sit well with anybody!

MANAMA (AFP) – About 4,000 activists demonstrated to protest the ratification of a law regulating political associations in Bahrain, which opposition groups said will restrict their activities.

Many protestors had tapes on their mouths as they marched toward the seat of the government in the center of Manama.

“The law is another step back on the way to free opinion,” said Jassem Al-Mehzea, head of the Al-Wassat opposition association.

The law was passed by parliament early this month and ratified by King Hamad last Saturday.

The associations, which stand in place of banned political parties, said the law would restrict their funding by banning donations from foreign countries.

Opposition groups also object to a provision raising the minimum age to join associations from 18 to 21.

The law states that political associations can be formed only so long as they are not based on class, profession, sectarian, or geographical principles. So far, associations have represented Sunni and Shiite Islamists, as well as liberals, leftists and Arab nationalists.

Under the new law, the societies will have to re-apply for their licenses from the Justice Ministry within three months. Note that one of the most important provisions is that the associations cannot be based on certain benchmarks of identity such as religion. Members of nine different societies banded together to protest this law, as they should, because it will most affect them given their make ups. Look at the names of some of them and you will realize that several opposition groups to the monarchy are Islamist while others are liberal.

Protesters only carried signs highlighting their objections to the law. The silent rally was organised by nine societies under the theme No to Political Societies Law.

The societies included Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, National Democratic Action Society, Islamic Action Society, Al Wasat Islamic Arab Democratic Society, Progress-ive Democratic Forum Society, Pan Arab Democratic Society, the National Brotherhood Society and the Bahrain Society for Public Freedoms and Protection of Democracy.

Earlier, a joint committee responsible for the rally said in a statement that the silent march reflected the restrictions imposed on the societies by the law, which, they claimed, was aimed at keeping them quite.

The societies are protesting against provisions of the law which stipulate that societies could not be allowed to be set up or should be dissolved if they maintain a religious or sectarian identity.

Islamists, leftists, nationalists, or liberals; it doesn’t matter. I hope they pull through and get their political associations freed up. It is particularly because these people are able to more freely associate that they are able to come together for this protest. While Bahrain may not yet be known for its liberal civil society, it isn’t exactly known for its religious extremism either. Backtracking the current reforms will mostly stifle the former while stoking the latter.