The U.S. Expresses Concern Over the Suspension of Al-Wefaq Activities in Bahrain

Following the court's ruling to suspend the activities of Al-Wefaq, the largest political organization of Shia Muslims in Bahrain, John Kirby, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed concern over this action by the Bahraini government on Tuesday. According to AFP, the Bahraini Ministry of Justice announced the suspension of Al-Wefaq's activities, accusing the opposition party of illegal activities. A day before the announcement of the dissolution of Al-Wefaq, Bahraini security forces arrested Nabeel Rajab, a prominent human rights activist. The Bahraini Ministry of Justice stated that all offices, properties, and assets of Al-Wefaq have been seized and blocked. Sheikh Ali Salman, a Shia cleric and leader of Al-Wefaq, who has been arrested multiple times since the protests began in Bahrain in 2011, has been imprisoned since last December on charges of inciting unrest. A Bahraini court increased Sheikh Ali Salman's prison sentence from four years to nine years on June 1. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department spokesperson described the Bahraini government's dissolution of Al-Wefaq as alarming. John Kirby stated that they are deeply concerned about the Bahraini government's actions against Al-Wefaq and opposition figures in society. The spokesperson emphasized that the dissolution of Al-Wefaq is not in line with the Bahraini government's efforts to implement reforms. He stated, 'We are concerned about the actions against Al-Wefaq and other measures, including the arrest of Nabeel Rajab, a prominent human rights activist, and the intensification of Sheikh Ali Salman's sentence. These actions limit freedom of expression.' At the same time, Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, also expressed concern over the Bahraini government's actions against Al-Wefaq. A spokesperson for the Secretary-General stated that Ban Ki-moon emphasized the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly in Bahrain and other countries. In this context, the organization 'First Human Rights,' based in Washington, stated in a statement that the Bahraini government's 'alarming' action to suspend Al-Wefaq's activities is part of its plan to eliminate and suppress opposition. Brian Dooley from 'First Human Rights' also stated that the Bahraini government is seeking to close all peaceful avenues for opposition activities. This action is dangerous and only contributes to the spread of extremism and leads the country into instability. Despite the fact that the majority of Bahrain's population is Shia Muslims, the country is governed by a Sunni royal family. Shia protesters claim that the Bahraini government discriminates against them. Alongside what was termed the Arab Spring, Bahrain also witnessed widespread protests from Shia protesters in 2011. These protests were suppressed with the military presence of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries. Bahrain is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, and since the Shia protests in 2011, which called for political reforms and greater participation in governance, the country has experienced periodic unrest.