Bahraini Scholars Condemn Regime’s Ban on Newspaper
In a statement, they underlined that stifling the voice of freedom will leave no place for talking about human rights, al-Wefaq website reported.
They described the move as yet another step in the regime’s violation of freedom of expression.
On August 6, Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority (IAA) said it had temporarily closed the newspaper “due to violation of the law and repeated dissemination of information that affects national unity and the Kingdom’s relationship with other countries.”
Al-Wasat was established in 2002 as part of a reform and reconciliation program by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
After the temporary closure of the Bahraini newspaper, Human Rights First, an international human rights organization, criticized the move, describing al-Wasat as an independent and widely respected newspaper.
“The immediate suspension of al-Wasat newspaper in Bahrain is another seriously alarming, if predictable, move from the Bahraini government in silencing all opposition voices and crushing dissent,” said Brian Dooley, the director of Human Rights Defenders at Human Rights First.
Manama has countered peaceful demonstrations in the country over the past four years with a heavy-handed measure, which has left scores of Bahrainis dead and hundreds of others injured. The regime has also imprisoned many of its opposition figures.
The Al Khalifa regime has been witnessing anti-government demonstrations since mid-February 2011.
