Manama: The chairman of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Bahrain has praised the authorities for moving forward with the reforms recommended by the international fact-finding panel.
Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni said the formation of the BICI was a landmark in the history of commissions.
The BICI, established on June 29, 2011 by an order by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, was tasked with investigating and reporting on the events that took place in Bahrain from February 2011 and their consequences.
Other members of the commission were Judge Philippe Kirsch Q.C., Professor Sir Nigel Simon Rodley KBE, Dr Mahnoush H. Arsanjani, and Dr Badria A. Al Awadhi.
Bassiouni on Monday said the BICI commissioners were among the foremost international authorities on human rights and humanitarian law who were highly recognised for their competence and independence.
They were able to achieve their work and to draw on the full and unconditional cooperation of the government and all competent authorities, resulting in a report that was well received locally and internationally, which is a testimony to the bold and wise decision by King Hamad to set up the commission, Bassiouni added, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported on Monday.
The commission released a report in November 2011 that included several recommendations.
Bassiouni said that, during this visit, he was informed of the latest developments concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission and appeared to him that the Government implemented the recommendations on reinstating the students to their universities and the employees in to their previous employment, and that the injured and victims received financial compensation without prejudice to their right to resort to competent civil courts; moreover, a Special Investigation Unit was established in the Office of the Public Prosecution, and the establishment of an office of Inspector General in the National Security Agency, as well as an the Ombudsman Office and retrials for those who were convicted before the National Safety Courts; and the punishment of transgressors; and changes in certain laws such as the Code of Criminal Procedures and Criminal Code; the training of police officers, judges, public prosecutors; and the regularization of condition of places of worship.
Bassiouni added that the government had adopted additional measures that included the establishment of the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission in order to protect them and guarantee there are no abuses.
All the measures taken by Bahrain indicate that serious efforts had been exerted to overcome the events of 2011, he added.
Bassiouni said that the government undertook the development of the necessary measures and programmes to enhance national cohesion between all components of the Bahraini society and to improve the capabilities of the security services.
Bassiouni added, during this visit, he was briefed with respect to several security reports which were not available in 2011 when the BICI was preparing its report and which indicate the existence of interference by regional foreign parties.
He added that Bahrain has emerged from a difficult period, and that the Government has dealt with the events through an integrated system of reforms and efficient actions that led to overcome the 2011 events in light of new conditions and variables in the region.
He said that Bahrain was moving forward with reforms, which prompts the statement that the objectives of the BICI recommendations have been achieved, and that the main guarantee to maintain and build upon what has been achieved is a continuation of the reforms project launched by HM the King.
Later on Monday, King Hamad patronised a ceremony to mark the completion of the implementation of the BICI recommendations.
Giving a summary of the establishment of the commission and the actions undertaken by the government, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa said the BICI was “an unprecedented and a unique initiative that set a model for tackling such challenges and addressing situations in line with the principles of justice, transparency and accountability.”
In a move to ensure the implementation of the recommendations, King Hamad set up the national committee comprising the chairman of the Shura Council, members representing all social sectors, legal and legislative experts and representatives of political societies and NGOs.
A government task force and a special panel were also established to ensure the follow-up of the implementation of the recommendations.
During the ceremony, King Hamad bestowed the Bahrain Medal of the First Class on Bassiouni.
The BICI chairman said he was delighted to be among those who contributed to the implementation of the recommendations.
