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Bahrain: Advancing Reform, Basyouni’s Counsels are Not the Finish Line | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Manama by Asharq Al-Awsat


Manama- Bahrain on Wednesday confirmed its commitment on proceeding with the Kingdom’s reform project outlined by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The government stressed that executing recommendations given by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry revolving around investigations held for the 2011 events, is not the last to its reform mission.

Bahrain’s royal bureau, following the Independent Commission of Inquiry’s findings – headed by Professor Mahmoud Sharif Basyouni – said that reform is an ongoing process which is chiefly derived from popular support flowing into the reform project mapped by the declared National Action Charter of Bahrain.

The National Action Charter of Bahrain includes several working spheres effecting political, economic, foreign and national security affairs.

The Independent Commission of Inquiry declared that the Bahraini government had satisfied all recommendations given by the commission concerning the February 14th, 2011 – March 16th, 2011 events witnessed by the country.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahraini Council of Representatives Ali Al Aradi corroborated that forming an investigatory commission and implementing its recommendations both reflect the Bahraini government’s resolve on reform. He also added that the process of reform is underway and persistent.

Al Aradi stressed on the reform plan being a huge transition and comprises procedures which should be carried out gradually and relentlessly.

Furthermore, the royal bureau extolled the efforts of the government led by Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on realizing proposals.

“Now, and after achieving recommendations, we are proud that Bahrain has institutions, legislations and systems according to international standards. The commitment to proposals of national monitoring institutions – working according to international standards- has paid off fruitfully. Bahrain has also developed its rules and legislations, adapting them to international standards,” said Deputy PM Al Aradi.

“Reform is a dynamic process, and the reform project of the kingdom of Bahrain launched by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is a genuine guarantee for the security and stability of Bahrain,” he added.

It is worth noting that the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry was established by the virtue of a royal decree issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on June 29th, 2011. The commission was assigned to investigate and prepare a comprehensive report on the unfortunate events of February 2011, in which laws and international human rights were violated. Aside to evaluating the incident, the commission is also responsible for issuing adequate propositions relevant to the case.

The commission has presented a comprehensive narrative on the incident, revealing details on the violence which took place. It also defined all parties involved in the occurrence.

Investigatory reports on alleged cases of reported authority brutality and on protester violence against other demonstrators were also presented.