Bahrain: Opposition group closed, newspaper banned

The High Civil Court ordered the dissolution of the National Democratic Action Society (Waad) and the liquidation of its assets on 31 May, for violating the Political Society Law. It was the last remaining major opposition group in the country, following the forced closure of Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society last July. Waad was found guilty of inciting violence and expressing support for Al-Wefaq. The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) says there was “no evidence” to support the charges; Amnesty International says “Bahrain is now heading towards total suppression of human rights.”