Accusation against Bahrain government of suppressing freedoms under pretext of fighting terrorism

Six Bahraini judicial associations accused the authorities of hiding behind the draft plan on fighting terrorism "in order to perpetuate the desire to oppress what so has remained of relative freedoms in Bahrain."

In a joint statement on Monday, the associations said that the draft plan which was proposed by the government urgently to the parliament is but "a conspiracy against freedoms because it extends the hands of the security departments to spy against citizens in public and private places."

The statement added that the texts of the draft plan to fight terrorism is "elastic" and vague, and opens the door wide to the security sides for heavy violations of human rights and of all international charters," in addition to violating of the national work charter and the constitution.

The judicial associations stressed that fighting terrorism continues to be a must, but should be made through more democracy and not to through issuing what it described as "oppressive laws."