Bahrain Mirror: The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon deplored on Monday (July 18, 2016) the dissolution of the main opposition political party in Bahrain, Al-Wefaq, condemning the "series of restrictions" imposed on fundamental freedoms.

The S-G spokesperson wrote in a statement "the S-G deplores the dissolution of Al-Wefaq." The statement further stated "this approach is the latest in a series of restrictions of the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of expression in Bahrain."

Ban Ki Moon considers the dissolution of the Al-Wefaq and the latest series of measures that target Shiite leaders and human rights activists "risk escalating an already tense situation in the country."

The S-G called for "the resumption of an all-inclusive national dialogue aimed at peace and stability in the country and the region."

The administrative court dissolved on Sunday (July 17, 2016) Al-Wefaq society after suspending its activities on June 14, closing its offices and freezing its assets.

Al-Wefaq is the most prominent Shiite political movements that led the protests against King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa since 2011 demanding constitutional and political reforms. These protests changed sometimes into violence in which the authorities used force to clamp them down.

Al-Wefaq's Secretary-General Sheikh Ali Salman in serving a sentence term over the charge of conspiring against the regime and inciting disobedience.    

Arabic Version