In this regard, efforts to implement the visions of the National Dialogue and BICI recommendations have gone hand in hand, out of the government’s belief that both documents emanate from a shared popular and government will to push ahead with reform, bring about more national achievements and address the repercussions of the regretful events that gripped the kingdom in February and March, 2011.
As a result, the government has spared no effort to translate the visions on which the Bahraini people reached consensus into the ground, and has, in fact, implemented the 290 visions through constitutional, legislative and executive procedures.
It has also achieved most of the recommendations featuring in BICI report in less than year since its issuance, which is a record time, which led to substantial reforms in various sectors.
The serious efforts of the government to honour its commitments to go ahead with reform and development have been widely commended by the International Community and many international entities, including the European Union (EU) whose High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton praised the achievements of the Government of Bahrain concerning the implementation of the recommendations of BICI.
As the visions of the National Consensus Dialogue reflected the Bahraini people’s desire to accelerate national development and democratic achievements and BICI recommendations focus on addressing the repercussions of the crisis that gripped the kingdom through introducing qualitative adjustments regarding security, human rights and media handling for the aim of consolidating human rights in the country and ensure that alleged violations are not repeated, the government put forward a clear plan to implement both of them according a clear timetable out of its belief in their importance in strengthening the pillars of the state of law and institutions, meet popular aspirations and bring about more landmark national achievements based on national consensus which places national interest above all other ones.
Regarding the National Consensus Dialogue, the government introduced constitutional amendments, approved by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in May, 2012, for the aim of developing a mechanism to speed up the issuance of legislations, increasing the legislative and auditory powers of the Representatives Council through consolidating its follow-up of the Executive Branch’s performance, enabling it to represent the popular will through allowing it to discuss the government’s work plan and accept or reject it and quiz ministers.
The government has also amended some existing laws, enacted new laws and proposed Royal Decrees as part of its desire to complete the legislative framework required to consolidate the rule of the law, protect public freedoms, respect human rights, promote security and stability across the nation, strengthen the democratic march and maintain national unity.
Furthermore, many executive procedures taken by the government to develop the overall framework governing the political, economic, social and legal situation in the kingdom have also been successful.
As far as the BICI, which was set up following an unprecedented Royal will to inquire into the regretful incidents that the kingdom witnessed, the government started implementing its 26 recommendations, related to developing the judiciary, accountability, compensations, freedom of expression and reinstatement of dismissed workers, through setting up a special committee to follow up on procedures taken by all ministries and concerned bodies in this concern.
The main achievements are as follows:
– Dropping charges related to freedom of expressing and trying suspects for exercise of violence.
– Establishing a National Fund for the Reparation of Victims and special courts to examine the compensation cases. Out-of-court settlements were also adopted to ensure that victims receive speedy compensations. In this regard, 39 cases, including the 35 mentioned in BICI report received BD 2,340,000 –over six million and 200,000 US Dollars.
– Reinstatement of the majority of public and private workers who were sacked during the regretful incidents.
– Addressing the situation of 30 un-authorised sites used as houses of worship.
– The recruitment of 500 people, including 26 women, from all sects and governorates at the Interior Ministry. The latter also equipped 26 police stations’ investigation rooms with audio-visual recording devices and established 18 rooms to enable detainees to meet their lawyers. Moreover, the Public Prosecutions was provided with audio-visual recording equipment.
– Establishing a special independent investigation unit to iinquire into the incidents of February and March, 2011 at the Public Prosecutor’s Office. A similar unit in charge of accountability was also set up at the Public Prosecution.
– Issuance of the Police Code of Conduct, the establishment of the Office of Ombudsman at the Interior Ministry as per Royal Decree No. 27 for 2012, setting up the new Office of the Inspector-General and putting forward new control and supervisory mechanisms.
– Issuance of Royal Decree 115 for 2011 on amending some provisions of Royal Decree 14 for 2002 on the establishment of the National Security Agency and limiting its duties to collecting information. Royal Decree 28 for 2012 also established an independent office for the Inspector-General and the National Security Agency professional standards office.
– Holding a six-month exhaustive comprehensive training programme for security officers on human rights concepts, professional code of conduct and ways of dealing with members of society.
– Issuance of a bill regulating visits and inspection of prisons and detention cells. Moreover, the Interior Ministry signed, on December 8, 2011, a MoU with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under which the latter will pay visits to all detention cells and provide support for the ministry to enhance its reform efforts. The Detainee Rights Document was adopted.
– Issuance of Royal Decree 28 empowering the National Human Rights Organisation (NHRO).
– School curricula were developed for the aim of promoting the values of citizenship and the cultures of human rights, tolerance and co-existence among the school community.
– Preparing a new Communication and Information draft-law in order to regulate freedom of opinion and expression through all media and communication outlets and requesting the Supreme Council for Information and Communication to finalise it in order to ensure that media establishments adhere to neutrality, objectivity and professional ethics.
The procedures taken by the government to implement BICI’s recommendations imply the following:
– The government’s bold, serious and responsible dealing with BICI and its recommendations.
– The wise leadership’s constant keenness to create a positive environment to restore normality, address the negative impacts of the crisis, consolidate trust and honour its pledges ever since BICI was launched.
– Protection of human rights in Bahrain, as an integral part in the constitution and laws, have been strengthened and promoted thanks to the government’s continuous efforts.
– The government took advantage of BICI’s recommendations to optimize national achievements regarding advancement of liberties and human rights.
In a nutshell, the government’s commitment to implementing the visions of the National Consensus Dialogue and the recommendations of BICI is a living proof of its desire to push ahead with the reform and development marches witnessed by the kingdom during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa AL Khalifa’s glorious era and belief that reform is a continuous process.