The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) is spearheading a nationwide online petition against a government plan to cut power to people who haven't paid their bills.

It follows an Electricity and Water Authority ultimatum threatening to disconnect supplies to those who do not pay up by the year-end.

The society claims many people can't afford to pay and warns that cutting off supplies to them could create more problems than it solves.

It says poor families will be hit hardest and could be left to face 2009 without power or water.

The society wants the government to wipe off the electricity and water dues of the most needy families.

Its campaign poster depicts a Bahraini child surviving by candlelight.

"There are a lot of needy families who can't pay their bills on time. How will they cope?" asked society secretary general and Shura Council member Faisal Fulad.

"There are needy families whose dues have gone up to BD600 and they can't pay up such huge amounts.

"If the government wants to implement a new law they should clear these outstanding bills and start from zero, so that needy families can keep up.

"We are not suggesting the government should give everyone this privilege, only the needy families.

"You can't just cut off electricity and water - especially now that it's winter."

MPs have already voiced objections to the authority's move.

Last week, they refused to approve a new law, which stipulates penalties for people who don't pay their bills.

A parliamentary committee is reviewing the proposal, having been delayed for the third time by MPs.

It is due to be discussed again in January.

The society's campaign coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

"The campaign aims to shoot down the (government's) claim on the bills and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the deceleration," said Mr Fulad.

"The declaration Bahrain signed states that the government should protect the economic rights of poor families."

"We will submit the petition to MPs in mid-January, before their deadline to submit the amended law," Mr Fulad said.