Bahrain issued Law No. 58 of 2006 on The Protection

of Society against Terrorist Acts while it was

witnessing some political disputes regarding

constitutional amendments and some laws issued

by the government, which were considered by

political and human rights figures restrictive to

political action. Despite popular and political

parties’ disapproval of passing this law, the

government took advantage of the opposition’s

boycott of the 2002 elections, and because of the

pro-government majority in the Council, the elected

House of Representatives and the appointed Shura

Council approved the new bill on July 16 and July 22,

2006, respectively. It was then presented to the King

of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa for final ratification.