The{ }rights group issued a statement in reaction to the ban, which had{ }prevented al-Wefaq from staging the protest rally in Jablat Hibshi on{ }Thursday, The Associated Press reported.

"Despite{ }recent promises of reform and the guarantee of basic human rights, the{ }authorities continue to violate the rights to freedom of expression,{ }association, and assembly and have publicly announced that any gathering{ }today (Thursday) would be illegal," said Amnesty’s Middle East and{ }North Africa Deputy Programme Director, Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

"The{ }fact that a peaceful protest has not been granted an official permit{ }does not justify arbitrary arrest or the unnecessary use of{ }disproportionate force by police against protesters. The Bahraini{ }authorities should act immediately to ensure that this does not happen{ }and that the law on gathering is brought in line with international{ }law," Sahraoui added.

On{ }Wednesday, Amnesty also urged Bahraini authorities to release prominent{ }Human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, who has been jailed for expressing{ }his opinions on the social networking website, Twitter.

The{ }rights group said that Rajab had to be released immediately since he is{ }jailed solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.