POLITICAL societies have been warned against establishing contacts or links with foreign missions and organisations in Bahrain and abroad without prior notice.
The Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry’s political societies’ office has issued a new circular as the country gears up for the national elections to be held later this year.
Those violating the rule would be held accountable by the law.
Political societies seeking to contact foreign missions or establishments will have to notify the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry at least three (working) days prior to the meeting.
“The ministry will co-ordinate with the Foreign Ministry to ensure a representative from its part or any other it may assign from other ministries or government bodies is present during the meeting,” said the circular.
“These rules are necessary as we approach the sixth National Elections in Bahrain this year.
“We want to ensure that principles of the National Action Charter and the Constitution, as well as the country’s legislations, are practised in the right manner.”
The National Unity Gathering and Al Asala (Salafi) Islamic Society backed the government move.
Al Asala society deputy secretary-general and Al Asala Parliamentary Bloc president Ahmed Al Ansari said it was the government’s right to monitor contacts with foreign missions to ensure non-interference in local affairs.
“National elections are the biggest public events in any state and the government wants to ensure they are held in a fair and transparent manner, without any individual seeking leverage or advantage through foreign contacts or links,” he added.
“We, as a political society, are committed and there is nothing to hide and if we want to meet with any foreign group, which I believe is unnecessary, it will be done through proper channels.”
Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan had told MPs in February this year that funds transferred by, and through, registered charities would be strictly monitored to ensure they are not misused by terrorists and money launderers.
He said the Social Development Ministry had partnered with the Interior Ministry and the Central Bank of Bahrain to crack down on violations, if any, to combat terror funding.
There are 650 registered charity societies in the country, however, only 188 of them are licensed to receive donations in 2021, compared with 218 in 2020, the minister said.
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