The National Commission (NC) charged with overseeing the recommendations cited in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) has received confirmation that the Attorney General will shortly announce the framework of an independent special investigations unit to be established within the office of the Attorney General and charged with the responsibility of determining accountability in abuse complaints. The unit will be permanent with its staff nominated and appointed, and will include an independent investigations advisor.
Chairman of the NC, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh stated that the Government is nearing completion of the implementation of Recommendation 1716 (i.e., BICI Investigations Unit), as well as Recommendation 1717 which enables the Office of the Inspector General to receive complaints from individuals and organizations, protect the safety and privacy of complainants, and conduct independent investigations.
The Ministry of Interior is currently formulating the decree and order for the establishment of the Complaints and Grievances Office, as well as an Internal Affairs Department within the Ministry. In addition, actions are being taken to define responsibilities and clarify cooperation between those entities and the Attorney General.
The implementation of these specific recommendations came after the National Commission requested legal expertise from a British Delegation on the content of a number of recommendations. The commission members reviewed and agreed with the recommendations that the Attorney General could fulfill the role of the impartial and independent mechanism to investigate all complaints of torture, mistreatment, excessive use of force or other forms of abuse, referred to in Item (B) of Recommendation 1722.
The National Commission followed up on the subject of dismissed employees with Al Saleh emphasizing that the steps currently being taken are reassuring and in the best interest of the dismissed employees, and will contribute to a just conclusion of this matter as quickly as possible.
The National Commission work teams are scheduled to meet next week to review the latest developments pertaining to the implementation of the recommendations and are expected to submit a comprehensive report on the completed BICI Recommendations following the completion of their mandate.