The Government severely limits freedom of assembly. The Government forbids political demonstrations. The Government severely limits freedom of association. The Government does not allow political parties or membership in international professional organizations critical of the Government or of any other Arab government. Private social, sports, trade, professional, and cultural societies must be registered with the Government.
Security forces monitor the activities of such groups.
Increasing public concern about the WTO's failure to incorporate respect for human rights, labor rights, the environment, and globalization's impact on the poor culminated in large-scale protests during the last ministerial meetings in Seattle in November 1999. Subsequent protests occurred at the spring and annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund that were held in Washington, D.C. and Prague, respectively.