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MEMBERS of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry are remaining tight-lipped this week and say they will let their final report ‘speak for itself’, writes Stan Szecowka.
It is believed the distinguished panel of experts have been stunned by criticism they have received and have ‘imposed a vow of silence’ on themselves.
GulfWeekly understands they believe the ‘unfair rap’ they have received in recent weeks is partly because they have been so open and have been making too many comments, ‘some capable of honest as well as dishonest misinterpretation’.
“Accordingly, we have imposed on ourselves a vow of silence, with a view to letting our report speak for itself,” a source explained to GulfWeekly.
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was established on June 29 by the Royal Order of His Majesty King Hamad. To ensure its independence five eminent individuals were appointed to act as commissioners with Professor M Cherif Bassiouni, who holds both Egyptian and American nationality, named as its chairman. The other commissioners were Professor Sir Nigel Rodley, a leading British expert in the field of international human rights law, Judge Philippe Kirsch of Canada and Belgium, Dr Mahnoush Arsanjani of Iran and Dr Badria Al Awadhi of Kuwait.
The commission has been asked to determine whether the events of February and March 2011 and the aftermath involved violations of international human rights law and norms, and to make the recommendations which it deems appropriate.
Specifically, it has been asked to provide a complete narrative of the events and the context for these events, describe any acts of violence that occurred as well as those involved in such acts and describe instances of alleged police brutality and alleged violence by protesters and demonstrators against the officers.
The commission has also been asked to explore the circumstances and appropriateness of arrests and detentions, examine allegations of disappearances and torture, probe allegations of media harassment and other pressure tactics used against participants in demonstrations and public protests, discuss the alleged unlawful demolition of religious structures and describe the alleged involvement of foreign forces and individuals.
From the onset, the commissioners hoped the process would help heal divisions, become a pioneering way forward to resolve future conflicts globally and would not end up as a ‘blame game’ between pro-government supporters and anti-government protesters.
It has proved to be a ‘big ask’. “The blame game is already there. It was on display at the public meeting we held,” admitted Sir Nigel shortly after its launch.
And hundreds of people attacked its offices in Manama in August after being directed by anti-government activists using Twitter and mass messages. Opponents had earlier criticised the commission for being too close to the government, claims that were strenuously denied by its chairman.
It appeared some commentators and critics were unwilling or unable to grasp the concept of ‘independent’. The King said in a recent speech to the nation that the commission was ‘the best indication of our full commitments to knowing the whole truth and to giving people their rights’.
The commission’s offices reopened three days after being stormed. It is believed thousands of submissions are already being examined and cases investigated.
“We can’t guarantee that our findings will satisfy everyone, merely hope that some credence will attach to a report that reflects the understanding of an experienced group of people whose only concern is to offer an independent and impartial account of the tragic events,” Sir Nigel told GulfWeekly in July.
In a statement issued this week, the commission urged individuals and societies with complaints which fall under its fact-finding mandate to schedule interviews with its investigating team by tomorrow.
The aim was to remind interested parties of the deadline of September 30 and the importance of contacting the commission by September 8 through the allocated hotlines in order to schedule an interview. Appointments can be made by phoning any of the following five hotlines: +973 36555017, +973 36555018, +973 36479024, +973 36405265 and +973 36405270.
The commission’s report will be completed by October 30 and will be made public in its entirety.
