Bassiouni: Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Recommendation Objectives Achieved

MANAMA, Bahrain, May 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, who chaired the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), said that the formation of the BICI was a landmark in the history of commissions.

The BICI was established on June 29, 2011 in Bahrain pursuant to Royal Order No. 28 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Commission was tasked with investigating and reporting on the events that took place in Bahrain from February 2011, and the consequences of those events.

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.

Professor Bassiouni said that the BICI commissioners were among the foremost international authorities on human rights and humanitarian law who were highly recognized 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 HM King Hamad to set up the commission, Professor Bassiouni added.

The report released in November 2011 included several recommendations that the Government worked diligently on implementing.

Professor Bassiouni said that he has assessed the latest developments in the implementation of the BICI recommendations and noted that the Government was fully committed to the call by the Commission to reinstate the students in their colleges and the employees in their professional positions.

He added that the injured and victims received financial compensation without forgoing their right to resort to competent civil courts.

He highlighted the establishment of the Special Investigation Unit within the Public Prosecution, the Office of the Public Prosecutor within the National Security Agency, and the Ombudsman Office.

The trials conducted before the National Safety Courts were reviewed in ordinary courts, abusers were punished, the laws regarding criminal procedures and punishment were amended, police officers, judges, public prosecution members and lawyers were trained and the status of places of worship was regularized, Professor Bassiouni added.

The BICI Chairman said 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.

Professor Bassiouni said that the Government developed 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.

Professor Bassiouni said he saw during this visit 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.

SOURCE Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain