NEW : The ban is needed because of increasing violence at rallies , Bahraini officials say . Comment: Amnesty says the ban is a violation of people 's rights to free speech and assembly . Officials should n't use `` violent acts of a few as a pretext '' to restrict the rights of all , it says .
NEW : The ban is needed because of increasing violence at rallies , Bahraini officials say . Amnesty International calls for the ban on public protests to be lifted immediately . Amnesty says the ban is a violation of people 's rights to free speech and assembly . Officials should n't use `` violent acts of a few as a pretext '' to restrict the rights of all , it says .