Mixed reception for Bahrain’s Independent Commission report

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Investigation (BICI) released the findings of its months-long investigation into accusations of human rights violations during anti-government protests in the kingdom.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appointed the commission earlier this year to investigate whether state security forces acted unlawfully in dealing with protesters.

Nine months ago, activists engaged in public protests to demand reforms from the monarchy. State police responded with a swift crackdown on the demonstrations, which ended with as many as 45 deaths according to human rights groups. Hundreds more were wounded or detained.

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Investigation brought together five respected non-Bahraini experts in international law, including M. Cherif Bassiouni, an Egyptian-American professor nicknamed the “father of international criminal law.”

Ahead of the report’s release, the government said it expected the commission to criticise how the demonstrations were handled, adding it was ready to learn from its “mistakes.”

Bahrain’s Minister of Finance, H.E. Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, will be joining the show to discuss the commission’s report and what it means for the future of reforms in the kingdom.

Will the BICI report contribute to reconciliation? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

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