Bahrain to pay $2.6m to families of 17 deceased

In accordance with Royal directives, and as recommended by the National Commission Concerned with the Implementation of the BICI Recommendations, and within the scope of the civil settlement initiative, the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, presented the findings of the Civil Settlement Office on death cases, and pointed out that the Office had resolved to enter into a civil settlement exceeding 17 death cases, as a first phase. Compensations, amounting to a total of $2.6 million for all the current 17 cases, were assessed on the basis of civil court precedents in order to reach fair settlements.

The Cabinet directed that the Office is to coordinate with departments concerned to review the remaining cases by priority, without prejudice to the right of the injured who do not accept the proposed settlement, to resort to civil courts, and without excluding any criminal liability. The Cabinet reaffirmed assiduity in taking all action necessary to support the families of the deceased citizens and to minimize damage to all concerned.

Khalid Hassan Ajaji, Assistant Undersecretary of Courts and Notarisation Affairs, said that the Civil Settlements Office, started its activities in March 2012, and continues to receive claims for compensation. He added “The Office includes a team of expert legal advisors who interact and work in consultation with relevant departments to review civil settlement claims and determine appropriate and just settlements of cases as recommended in the BICI report”.

The civil settlement initiative is being implemented under Royal directives to promptly remedy damages caused by the recent events, and to compensate those who were injured as recommended by the National Commission concerned with the implementation of the BICI recommendations, and expedite the implementation of those recommendations.

This initiative benefits the families of the deceased, those who suffered physical injury, and any other cases as deemed appropriate by the Ministry concerned in consultation with relevant departments.