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Background on Bahrain - The Embassy Cables 2004

13 of 34 cables all told covering Nabeel Rajab and the BCHR sent already in 2004.

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04MANAMA237Wed 18 Feb 2004 15:26 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/02/04MANAMA237.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA237#para-150552-3 (U) Not only was the purpose of the conference controversial but also its date. Organizers chose February 14 as the opening day of the conference because it marked the third anniversary of the King's political contract with the people - the National Action Charter. Bahrain Center for Human Rights President Nabeel Rajab told Poloff February 16 the boycotters chose this particular day of national celebration to provoke a reaction from the government.04MANAMA312Mon 8 Mar 2004 14:16 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/03/04MANAMA312.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA312#para-150780-7 (C) In response, U/S Grossman said that the President has cited Bahrain as an example of a country where there have been some reforms. This support does not mean that we think Bahrain's society can or should remain static. No society in the world, including the US, can remain static. The US is not interested in designing a mechanism for NGOs to implement and has no blueprint on how to accomplish democratic reforms, said U/S Grossman. Initiatives like GME and MEPI are vehicles to support to local voices for change. NGOs, he said, fill a vital space between the people and the government. BCHR President Nabeel Rajab said that NGOs welcome real human rights projects here in Bahrain. However, we need to come up with a common definition of democracy and human rights goals.04MANAMA499Thu 8 Apr 2004 13:32 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/04/04MANAMA499.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA499#para-151242-4 ---------------------- THE GOB BEHAVES POORLY ---------------------- (C) For the five days Al-Shayeb was held in jail, the GOB denied him access to legal representation. Human rights activist Adel Al-Abassi told PolOff on April 3 that Al-Shayeb was denied legal counsel because the GOB feared he might be able to give the go-ahead to his Committee to stage a protest during the Grand Prix race. Al-Abassi predicted that the GOB would release Al-Shayeb on the day of the race, preventing Al-Shayeb from organizing an NCMVT demonstration that would have embarrassed the GOB. Bahrain Center for Human Rights President Nabeel Rajab told PolOff on April 2 that the Ministry of Interior (MOI) panicked and had Al-Shayeb arrested to guarantee nothing would happen. In an attempt to defame Al-Shayeb, the GOB leaked Al-Shayeb's name and the particulars of the case to the local press. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al-Khalifa, confirmed to P/E Chief on April 4 that it is illegal in alleged vice cases to divulge the name and nature of a case until a verdict is handed down. Shaikh Khalid said that the Ministry of Information must have leaked Al-Shayeb's information to the press, since the Ministry of Justice is under strict instructions not to divulge such information.04MANAMA629Mon 3 May 2004 14:12 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/05/04MANAMA629.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA629#para-151567-1 (C) Embassy contacts expressed their anger and disgust about the media reports on the treatment of Iraqi POWs at Abu Ghraib Prison. After seeing these images on Al-Jazeira television, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab told PolOff on May 3 that the USG expects Arabs to cooperate when it is clear that the US has no respect for Arabs. Human Rights Activist Adel Al-Abassi told PolOff on May 3 that reports out of Iraq in addition to USG's support of Israel over Palestine is typical US behavior. Bahrain Women's Society member Soroor Qarooni told PolOff on May 3 that American soldiers and their generals need to be removed from the region and severely punished. "No human being deserves this type of humiliation", she said.04MANAMA638Tue 4 May 2004 15:40 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/05/04MANAMA638.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA638#para-151584-2 (C) On April 30 police arrested 14 youths for distributing pamphlets and collecting signatures for the opposition's petition to the King calling for constitutional reform. Public Prosecutor Shaikh Abdul Rahman bin Jaber Al-Khalifa ordered the youths' detention for 45 days because "the evidence against the accused was overwhelming". He charged the teenagers under Articles 160, 165, 166, and 169 of the 1976 Penal Code, all of which pertain to "crimes against the internal security of the state". Article 166 carries a sentence of life imprisonment. Human Rights Activist and Al-Wifaq member Adel Al-Abassi told PolOff on May 3 that the police initially denied the teenagers access to lawyers. President of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) Nabeel Rajab told PolOff on May 3 that BCHR formed a committee to appeal for the release of the detainees. The families staged a peaceful vigil at the jail on May 3. BCHR member Janan Al-Shaikh told PolOff on May 4 that the families plan to hold another peaceful vigil at the Prosecutor's Office on May 5. Youth Forum and Al-Wifaq member Sami Maliky told PolOff on May 4 that the police have detained Al-Wifaq member Mohammed Yousif for soliciting signatures at work.04MANAMA720Mon 17 May 2004 13:34 UTC SECRET//NOFORN http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/05/04MANAMA720.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA720#para-151741-4 (C) President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab told Pol/Econ Chief on May 16 that prior to the publishing of the open letter, Nabeel had been sceptical about the reports that one of the Bahraini detainees was tortured. However, the Abu Gharieb prison scandal gave the allegation credibility. He told Pol/Econ Chief that he believes the problem is systemic and not isolated to a few young soldiers.04MANAMA838Wed 2 Jun 2004 14:22 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/06/04MANAMA838.html Classified By: Ambassador Ronald E Neumann for 1.4(b)(d). http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA838#para-151927-1 (C) SUMMARY: Labor Minister Majeed al-Alawi accused the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights of violating Bahrain's laws and its own charter by conducting "political" activities in response to the Ambassador's question about the ministry's threat to revoke the Centre's license. Al-Alawi also accused the Centre of affiliation with "extremists" like Bahrain Freedom Movement leader Saeed Shihabi and al-Wefaq Vice President Hassan Mushaimaa. Al-Alawi's comments echoed those of Industry Minister and royal confidante Hasan Fakhro to the departing DCM. Both the Ambassador and DCM noted that revoking the license could damage Bahrain's reputation. Al-Alawi said that if he had to pull the license, the Centre could sue in court. Centre President Nabeel Rajab rejected the government claims and said the Labor Ministry had not responded to his official request for details of the Centre's "transgressions." He denied ties to "extremists." The Centre is both a legitimate human rights organization and very much on the side of the political opposition. We doubt the GOB will pull the Centre's license, but we should expect the GOB to criticize the Centre whenever it exposes the GOB for human rights shortcomings. END SUMMARY. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA838#para-151927-4 (C) One week earlier, outgoing DCM Robert Ford made a similar query to Industry Minister and royal confidante Hassan Fakhro, who responded in a similar vein but with a personal twist. Fakhro commented that the government thought Centre President Nabeel Rajab was a "good guy", but Centre Vice President Abd al-Hadi al-Khawaja was involved in unacceptable activities. Ford suggested that by their nature human rights advocacy groups will engage in activities that could be viewed as "political". He also advised Fakhro that revoking the Centre's license would harm Bahrain's reputation. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA838#para-151927-5 (C) On June 2, Centre President Nabeel Rajab advised POL/ECON Chief that he has heard similar accusations from others. He stated that the Centre restricts its activities to support for UN designated human rights issues, like insuring that detained individuals receive due process rights. He commented that he had written a letter to the Labor Ministry asking it to specify the activities the ministry claimed were against the law. Rajab said that he still has not received an answer. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA838#para-151927-6 (C) With respect to the other charges, Rajab noted that the Centre had folded its committee to defend the petition detainees after al-Wefaq had tried to take over committee's activities, and commented that al-Wefaq had been criticized in internet chat rooms for its slow response to defend its activists after their arrests. Rajab denied any contact with Saeed al-Shehabi. He added that political activist Aziz Abul had rejoined the Centre and would be representing it next week at an international human rights conference. As an aside, Rajab noted that the Labor Ministry continues to deny the Centre a license to establish an abused workers' shelter while not following through on its own commitment to establish its own shelter. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA838#para-151927-7 (C) In a further move against the Centre, Bahrain's Attorney General stated that the Centre's involvement in support of the petition detainees was outside the scope of its charter. Rajab told POL/ECON Chief June 2 that the statement was a response to a letter sent to the Attorney General asking if the charges against the detainees released by the King's order had been dropped. The letter, he said, also asked if the released individuals might later face prosecution on the same charges. Rajab said that Human Rights Watch and other international human rights organizations had recommended that he write such a letter. (C) COMMENT: Democracy is new to Bahrain, and all actors - governmental and non-governmantal - are learning. To our knowledge, the Centre has not crossed the line into political activities, but the way it has presented its research on discrimination and Bahrain's penal code has been used by others (al-Wefaq and the Bahrain Freedom Movement) for political purposes. We doubt the GOB will pull the Centre's license anytime soon, but the GOB, which is unaccustomed to public criticism, could continue to snipe publicly at some Centre activities while it continues to work with it on others (TIP projects for instance). END COMMENT. NEUMANN04MANAMA1425Wed 15 Sep 2004 12:30 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/09/04MANAMA1425.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-1 ------- Summary ------- (C) G/TIP Senior Reports Officer Feleke Assefa visited Bahrain August 20-24 to meet with GOB officials and demarche them on G/TIP's Bahrain-specific Action Plan (Ref A). In response to the demarche, GOB officials outlined what measures they have implemented to combat trafficking and their plans for the upcoming year, which focus on establishing a victim assistance shelter, speeding up the judicial process, and a national awareness campaign. Assefa also met with the NGO Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) President Nabeel Rajab who reported on the status of migrant workers in Bahrain and described the rescue activities of his volunteer group. Assefa also met a group of abused runaway housemaids who recounted their situations in a meeting organized by BCHR. END SUMMARY. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-4 --------------------------------------- Prevention - Public Awareness Campaigns --------------------------------------- (C) On August 21 BCHR President Nabeel Rajab commented that his organization continues to apply pressure to the GOB by alerting the press about every housemaid abuse case it hears of. He attributed the GOB's swift work in prosecuting Anita Verma's case due to abundant press coverage in the English language newspapers (Ref B). BCHR Public Relations Coordinator Janan Shaikh Abdulla noted that BCHR experiences difficulty in getting its press releases on trafficking cases published in the Arabic press. We noted that chairman of the GOB's TIP inter-ministerial committee Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa had previously requested technical assistance for implementing public awareness campaigns on TIP. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-5 -------------------------------------- Protection - Victim Assistance Shelter -------------------------------------- (C) Rajab expressed his frustration with the GOB's lack of progress in establishing a victim assistance shelter. With the approval of Shaikh Abdul Aziz, BCHR raised BD30,000 (USD80,000) to establish a shelter. However, last month the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA), the ministry responsible for registering NGOs, sent a letter to Rajab informing him that it is not part of BCHR's purview to establish a shelter and that BCHR must stop working on this project. Rajab hopes to bring this up with Shaikh Abdul Aziz soon. MFA Director of Bilateral Relations Dr. Dhafer Al Umran explained that both MOLSA and the Ministry of Interior (MOI) had delayed establishing a GOB victim assistance shelter because no one had the expertise to "do it right." Al Umran admitted that the ministries had been quibbling on a number of issues related to the shelter. The committee was embroiled with who should manage the shelter and provide counseling, medical assistance and legal aid. Assefa stated that IOM will be able to help establish a shelter that meets international standards. Al Umran said he looked forward to meeting the IOM project manager upon his arrival to help resolve the situation. (NOTE: PolOff scheduled a meeting with MFA and the IOM Project Manager on September 21. END NOTE) http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-6 (U) Rajab noted that the Philippine mission has a good reputation for providing refuge to runaway and abused Philippine housemaids. The mission runs a shelter on embassy grounds. However, it does not grant access to BCHR volunteers or police to pursue the investigation and prosecution of legal cases. Therefore a shelter of international standards is preferable. Assefa said that IOM will be able to assist in establishing the screening center that would benefit all victims. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-7 -------------------------------------------- Protection - Standardized Housemaid Contract -------------------------------------------- (C) Rajab also mentioned that BCHR submitted to Shaikh Abdul Aziz the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) model contract that was previously endorsed by the Jordanian government for non-Jordanian domestic workers. Rajab hoped that the inter-ministerial committee would accept the UNIFEM contract as a standardized contract for foreign housemaids in Bahrain. Rajab complained that it has been over 10 months with no feedback from the committee. In response to Assefa's question, Al Umran said that he would check with the committee about the status of adopting the model contract. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-9 --------------------------------- Prosecution - Abused Worker Cases --------------------------------- (C) As noted in last year's TIP report, the processing and prosecution of labor cases moves slowly. Rajab remarked that ever since the new Minister of Interior Lt. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa took office, he has noticed greater care and an increased awareness for abused housemaid cases. Criminal Investigation Directorate Brigadier Farooq Salman Jassim Al-Maawda and member of the GOB TIP inter-ministerial committee Colonel Adil Khalifa Hamad Al Fadhel echoed Rajab's remarks. In their directorate, combating TIP has become a top priority. Rajab recalled in July that the police and the courts moved quickly to apprehend two recruitment agency bosses who allegedly raped two Indonesian and Bangladeshi housemaids. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1425#para-153186-14 ------------------- A Successful Rescue ------------------- (C) In 2003 Indian housemaid Anita Verma was seriously beaten by her employer (Ref B). Eight months later, healthy and content, Anita recounted how on that night a neighbor who heard her screams called BCHR. BCHR got her medical care, brought her to the police and after recuperation found her a new sponsor. Anita has been able to stay in Bahrain and press charges against her employer. The GOB has not prevented Verma from working while pursuing her case. The court process has been slow but in October the Criminal Courts will rule on her case. Verma plans to stay and work in Bahrain and send money home to her children. MONROE04MANAMA1482Mon 27 Sep 2004 16:18 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/09/04MANAMA1482.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1482#para-153345-3 (C) BCHR President Nabeel Rajab told EmbOffs on September 26 that the police transferred Al Khawaja to Howdh Aljaf, a former detention center in Muharraq (near Bahrain International Airport). Upon his arrival at the center, Al Khawaja called his wife to announce that he was going on a hunger strike. According to Rajab, authorities arrested Al Khawaja for criticizing the Prime Minister for contributing to the current level of poverty in the country. Al Khawaja made his remarks during the BCHR's symposium held at the Al Aruba Club on September 24. BCHR has since launched an e-mail campaign for the release of Al Khawaja and in support of freedom of expression.04MANAMA1503Wed 29 Sep 2004 16:38 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/09/04MANAMA1503.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1503#para-153377-1 (C) On September 28 at 22:30, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) sent a press release to Bahraini newspapers announcing the closure and dissolution of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) for "actions that contravened the Law of Societies and the Center's own charter." The GOB had not informed BCHR President Nabeel Rajab prior to issuing the press release and he learned about the action when journalists called to ask his reaction. He immediately instructed BCHR staffers to retrieve the Center's training materials before the GOB locked the doors. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1503#para-153377-2 (C) Charge met September 29 with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar and registered our concern about closing the BCHR and the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society. Without making specific reference Al-Khawaja's remarks at the BCHR forum, Abdul Ghaffar defended the government's action saying the BCHR was chartered specifically as a research and documentation center and it had overstepped the bounds of the rules governing its establishment. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1503#para-153377-3 (C) Rajab told PolOff that the GOB's action against the Center was undoubtedly linked to the Al Khawaja arrest case. Al Khawaja is a prominent member of the BCHR and had delivered his remarks on poverty in Bahrain during a BCHR-sponsored event. Rajab noted that he had given interviews during the two days since Al Khawaja's arrest to satellite television stations Al Hurra and Al Jazirah as well as Radio Sawa and he was careful to limit his comments to the issues of Al Khawaja's arrest and poverty in the Kingdom, and not attack the Prime Minister in any way. He added that he did not know what to do next and was unsure whether he could pursue a legal case. (Note: Radio Sawa correspondent told PAO today that during her interview with Rajab, he clearly denounced the Prime Minister by name. The correspondent decided not to air Rajab's comments in order to protect him. End Note.) http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1503#para-153377-4 --------------------------------------------- Trafficking in Persons Assistance --------------------------------------------- (C) Rajab mentioned that the closure forced him to cease immediately the BCHR's rescue and assistance activities for distressed housemaids. BCHR has played a central role in developing a response system for housemaids and other expatriate laborers in crisis, even serving as the primary civil society contact for the GOB inter-ministerial committee on trafficking in persons. He added that BCHR's Migrant Workers Group volunteers are housing several runaway housemaids. Without their affiliation with a licensed NGO, they have no legal standing for helping these women. He also mentioned his fear that the Center's bank account would be seized. Earlier in 2004, the Center raised $80,000 (BD30,000) to establish a victim abuse shelter. ------- Comment ------- The closure and dissolution of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights represents a setback for civil society advocates and has sent a pointed message to potential critics of the government's leadership. For many Bahrainis, Sunni and Shia alike, Al Khawaja and BCHR's Nabeel Rajab went a step too far with inevitable results. But the sectarian specter has reared its head in this saga (both are Shia), demonstrating the delicate line the Bahraini leadership feels it must walk as they pursue democratic reform and widen political space. ZIADEH04MANAMA1658Mon 1 Nov 2004 14:41 UTC CONFIDENTIAL http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/11/04MANAMA1658.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1658#para-153838-1 ------- Summary ------- (C) The Committee to support Shia activist Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja has decided to stop its protest activities following a weekend of demonstrations, violence and arrests. A "car parade" in support of Al Khawaja tied up traffic in Manama for hours October 28 during peak evening hours for visiting during this month of Ramadan. Police arrested 25 participants, seized their licenses and suspended their driving privileges. On October 29, masked young men lured police to an empty lot and attacked their vehicles with Molotov cocktails. Police intend to respond forcefully to additional provocations. President of the closed Bahrain Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab (protect throughout) told us he is searching for a face-saving way to stop the escalations and cycle of violence. The Cabinet approved a draft law imposing new regulations on those wishing to hold demonstrations. End Summary. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1658#para-153838-2 ---------------------------------- Committee Calls Off Demonstrations ---------------------------------- (C) Nabeel Rajab, president of the closed Bahrain Center for Human Rights, told PolOff October 31 that the 20-member Committee to Support (Shia activist Abdul Hadi) Al Khawaja had decided to suspend protest activities until the end of Ramadan (about November 14). The Committee issued a press statement later the same day saying the organization would suspend its activities due to the deteriorating security situation and acts of violence that had created chaos in many areas in the last few days. Specifically, it canceled the protest scheduled for Wednesday, the day of Al Khawaja's next court session. Rajab told us that the Committee would proceed with a previously scheduled symposium the evening of November 1 during which it would solicit suggestions on "peaceful and positive ways" to support Al Khawaja. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1658#para-153838-7 (C) Rajab told us he had met with MOI Under Secretary Shaikh Daij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa October 30 to discuss ways to calm the situation. Rajab reported that he had condemned the violence and informed Shaikh Daij of the Committee's decision to suspend activities for the remainder of Ramadan. Rajab asserted that the Committee organized peaceful demonstrations only and feared it may not be able to control the more radical elements among Al Khawaja's supporters, such as those who had carried out the Molotov cocktail attack. He commented to us that he and the Committee were now looking for a face-saving way to stop the escalations and cycle of violence. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1658#para-153838-9 ------- Comment ------- (C) The Committee to Support Al Khawaja has taken itself out of the game for now, and people are left wondering who is responsible for the acts of violence against security forces. Rajab, Isa Qassim and Ali Salman have consistently called for peaceful acts of protest in support of Al Khawaja. An unnamed Al Wifaq source told Al Wasat newspaper October 31 that a radical wing of Al Wifaq, outside the control of Salman, was responsible for the attacks and violence. Another possibility is that bored youth are taking advantage of the charged atmosphere to carry out acts of vandalism devoid of any political meaning or intent.04MANAMA1744Mon 22 Nov 2004 14:14 UTC UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/11/04MANAMA1744.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1744#para-27983-3 (SBU) Political and human rights activists welcomed the King's gesture and some described it as evidence of the top leadership's desire to continue its democratic reforms. However, many expressed dismay that Al Khawaja was imprisoned and put on trial in the first place. BCHR President Nabeel Rajab told PolFSN that the King's handling of the matter sent a strong message that although he had forgiven Al Khawaja, he would not tolerate criticism of his family. Representatives of several human rights organizations said they would push for changes in the penal code to remove Article 156, which criminalizes criticism of the royal family. Some activists (unrelated to the Committee in Support of Al Khawaja, which had suspended its activities) planned an evening demonstration in the suburb of Budaiya against Al Khawaja's conviction and sentence, but canceled the event at the last minute upon learning of the King's decree. http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1744#para-27983-4 (SBU) Comment: The sentencing of Al Khawaja to a year in prison and the King's subsequent pardon demonstrate the mixed nature of the GOB's path towards a more democratic system. Al Khawaja's arrest and imprisonment were a warning to activists not to push the envelope too far, but the King's pardon showed that he can respond to their concerns when he believes it appropriate. Some human rights advocates are now looking to the next step: finding a way to re-open the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. MONROE04MANAMA1808Sun 5 Dec 2004 12:56 UTC UNCLASSIFIED http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/12/04MANAMA1808.html http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04MANAMA1808#para-28140-5 ---------------------------------------------------- Negative Reactions and Commitments to Amend the Draft ---------------------------------------------------- (SBU) Human rights activists have expressed concern about the discretionary power given to governors under the proposed law and say that existing laws sufficiently regulate public gatherings. National Democratic Action Society board member Ebrahim Alsayed and Nabeel Rajab of the dissolved Bahrain Center for Human Rights have stated publicly that if the law were passed in its current form, activists would "test this law quickly" by holding unauthorized demonstrations and would "make sure the prisons are full of people who break this law". Members of both the Shura Council and the Nuwab have openly vowed that they will approve the draft law only if it is amended to ensure that the constitutional right to assemble is protected. 37 NGOs and political societies (organized by the opposition group Al Wifaq) drafted a petition rejecting the law and announced plans to propose an alternative law. The Nuwab issued a statement warning that the Constitution prohibits anyone outside of the cabinet and parliament from drafting and proposing legislation.