The Kingdom of Bahrain, which witnessed unprecedented events last year, has entered into a new era of national reconciliation, thanks to the efforts of the National Commission mandated to implement the recommendations of the BICI report.
The Chairman of the National Commission and Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh presented the final report of the National Commission which had already implement 15 recommendations out of 26 and efforts were on to implement the remaining recommendations.
Al Saleh said that some recommendations need time and can’t be implemented over night but overall success of this endeavour shows the leadership’s resolve to steer the country out of the aftershocks of the 2011 events.
Ali Saleh led the National Commission which had been mandated with the implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in his speech extended appreciation to the Chairman and members of the National Commission charged with the recommendations of the BICI of report for their constructive patriotic efforts.
HM Majesty while referring to the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry in Bahrain said it was a unique event for this region and the world.
“The formation of the BICI represents a part of our history of which we can all be proud of. Its recommendations were broad. To implement them has been a great and worthy challenge. You in the National Commission followed up and directed the Government’s efforts in this regard. You studied the report carefully and consulted with international experts, including Professor Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni and Sir Daniel Bethlehem, to ensure optimum compliance with international standards. We thank you deeply and appreciate your sincere, patriotic efforts.”
His Majest said upon receiving the BICI Report in November 2011 he pledged to ensure that the painful events Bahrain had witnessed should not be repeated.
His Majesty said that the implementation of the recommendations reflects Bahrain’s commitment to reform in various fields.
“Reform is an ongoing process. Development is the path of life. Ever since we ascended to the throne, our policy has been to evolve while preserving the principles of our religion and traditions, and the customs of our society. “We reaffirm our resolve to travel this reform path in accordance with the aspirations acceptable by our people. At the same time, we have extended our hearing and sight to various international experiences in order to take from them that which benefits our people and preserves the strength and unity of our community without excluding anyone, or favouring the interest of one group over another, for our nation is for all. And the doors of dialogue have and continue to be open,” HM Majesty said.
“Security and stability are central pillars of growth, development and reform. What affects the stability of the country also affects its sovereignty, and invites foreign interventions. Countries do not seek stability solely in the interest of economy, but also to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country, and we will never relinquish this at all. The hands of time never turn backwards. We are grateful and appreciative of the sincere efforts of the BDF, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Guard, who diligently uphold the security of this nation and who protect its borders and land. They remain stationed in love and loyalty to their homeland and in the protection of all citizens and residents. We also include the “Peninsula Shield” forces which are fulfilling their collective role in protecting the vital installations in our country, part of their larger mission to protect the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council whenever needed. All our gratitude, appreciation and praise go to them.
“We learn from those events by using new insights as a catalyst for positive change. The implementation of BICI report demonstrates the impressive beginning of that positive change we had hoped to see, and are proud of,” HM Majesty said.
His Majesty urged all the segments of the society to play a positive role in the national reconciliation. “This national responsibility falls on all parties, not just the executive authority alone. It is the duty of the legislative authority to fulfil its inherent mandate in legislation and monitoring the Government’s ongoing implementation plan,” he said.
“The State is entrusted to build the places of worship and care for them; we instruct that work continues in accordance with laws and regulations, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs and the Departments of Religious Endowments (Waqfs) and the relevant authorities so as not to repeat the same mistakes of the past. With regard to the compensation of the victims, and in addition to the National Victims’ Compensation Fund, which was created according to the highest international standards, Special Compensation Courts were established to review claims for compensation and expedite the settlement of the claims. In this regard, we note the Civil Settlement Initiative adopted by the National Commission charged with the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Report, and that all possible measures are taken to expedite fair compensation to the victims. We also emphasise the importance of finalising all cases related to freedom of expression without unnecessary delay, in accordance with the law, and which do not include incitement to violence, whatever the status of the perpetrator or his profession. Today, after delivery of the report of the National Commission, the Government must incorporate the steps taken in its programme of work to ensure optimal follow-up of the recommendations and ensure their implementation at all stages. We want our people to feel and see the differences these changes have on their lives. The challenge of the coming months will be to translate these into tangible, cultural changes.”
“What you have established as a National Commission in your report confirms that Bahrain is able, with the support of its people, to rise to the ranks of advanced countries in democratic practices, and benefit from international expertise in establishing legal principles which enhance public security, strengthen human rights and guarantee freedom of expression where it does not interfere with the rights and freedoms of others. We thank, in this regard, those friendly countries and international organisations which have given to us the benefit of lessons learned from their own experience and expertise.
“National unity is the bulwark of this nation, and we highly appreciate the Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations. National responsibility also falls on all members of society, and political societies, and civil society institutions, to do their part to participate and support democratic practices in accordance with the law and the general system. Everyone should keep in mind the events we have been through, and should benefit from experience, to move towards the future at a confident pace and with honest intentions.
“The report concludes that Government has made important strides on the road towards a transparent system based on democratic values. Necessary administrative and legal mechanisms have been put in place to implement the required plans in the medium and long term. This has included security and judicial reform, enhancing educational curricula, establishing a detailed plan to reform the media, working tirelessly to ensure that employees are reinstated, establishing compensation schemes to provide redress to the victims as soon as possible, commencing programmes for national social and economic reconciliation, establishing an independent ombudsman office at the Ministry of Interior and the office of an independent inspector general at the National Security Agency and, most importantly, establishing a Special Investigation Unit to hold accountable those that have erred during the events of last year,” HM explained.
“We praise the efforts of the Government and its hard work and seriousness in implementing the recommendations to the best standards possible in such a short period of time. Such speed of delivery and such quality of work is what we must demand from all government’s work, not just in the implementation of the recommendations. We hope that the legislative authorities, for their part, expedite the adoption of related draft laws which were referred to them by the Government. We have seen that the drafts laws on freedom of expression and the definition of torture proposed last year were passed. In this regard, both the Shura Council and Council of Representatives must be congratulated for their efforts towards the advancements of the legislative programme in the Kingdom.”