Posner paid a rich tribute to His Majesty the King for establishing the Bahrain Independent Committee of Inquiry (BICI) and ensuring the panel operates freely.
“It is a great credit to HM King Hamad that he initiated the BICI process and that allowed the Commission freely free hand to conduct its activities. It is unusual for a government to invite a comprehensive external review of such sensitive matters”, he said, expressing strong support for the King’s initiative and commitment to address the reforms outlined in the BICI report.
He also commended the Government of Bahrain for accepting the report’s essential related findings and recommendations and undertaking steps to implement needed reforms. “The government has taken several positive initial steps to implement the reports’ recommendations,” he said.
He also stressed the tangible steps undertaken by the Interior Ministry, citing the referral of cases relating to death, torture and inhumane treatment to the Public Prosecutor and the adoption of new procedures to provide audio and visual recordings of all interrogations of detainees.
Posner pointed out the initiative of the Labour Minister, setting up a tripartite committee to address issues related to reinstatement of workers who were dismissed following the protests in February and March.
He cited the decision of the government to review the legality of the articles that established the now suspended State of National Safety in the Constitutional Court. He also credited the memorandum of understanding, signed by the Interior Minister and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ensuring the ICRC access to Bahraini prisons. “We support these positive developments and stand ready to work closely with the government and others in Bahraini society to address the remaining BICI recommendations”, he said, pointing out the responsibility of Bahraini people to chart their future by themselves.
He reaffirmed his country’s readiness to help, urging all parties to join in this process and to seize this important opportunity to build a more peaceful and prosperous future.
“This is my third visit to Bahrain in the last year, and I welcome the opportunity to get another firsthand view of recent developments here. I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate the people of Bahrain as they celebrate the Kingdom’s 40th National Day celebration on Friday.”
“This historic landmark is an occasion to celebrate the history and achievements of the Bahraini people from all walks of life,” he said, pointing out his meetings with a range of senior government officials, members of the political opposition, human rights activists, lawyers, trade unionists, and journalists.