The Right Direction

In his speech on 23 November 2011, the King of Bahrain mapped out the country’s future plan of action after Bassiouni’s report; which includes moving beyond past violations, holding perpetrators accountable and compensating victims in order to achieve national reconciliation and permanent political stability. This attitude should be adopted by all social and political parties as it represents the best way out of the political and security crisis as well as the social division.

It is incorrect to hide behind sectional or party interests in order to run away from the responsibility of implementing the BICI recommendations; regardless of excuses and questions raised. We are aware that there are many challenges facing the implementation of the recommendations, however, more

The King Determines Bahrain’s
Future after Bassiouni’s Report

Receives BICI’s Report

Many questions were raised by politicians and the human rights community before the BICI report was released. Some of those revolved around the report itself and the work of the BICI, such as the extent of its impartiality and how its recommendations will be implemented. Others questioned the seriousness of the Executive Authority in responding to the needs of the current phase. The BICI report provided answers to many of these questions, and proved its impartiality, integrity, courage and concern for Bahrain. However, other questions regarding how the Government will deal with the report remained unanswered. In his first public reaction to the findings of Bassiouni’s report, the King responded to some of these questions dispelling unequivocally many fears. more

Improving the Media and
Enhancing Freedom of Expression

All forms of the Bahraini media, the official and private, were victims of the events that took place in February 2011. The media also played a role in inciting sectarianism and contributed to oppressing freedom of expression and violated journalists’ rights. Freedom of expression was violated and strict censorship was imposed during past months. Due to sharp political and sectarian polarizations, hatred and incitement prevailed over the language of logic and reason. Many local and international journalists were badly treated, threatened, harassed, detained and dismissed according to the report of the BICI. more

Following the BICI Report:
Need to Restructure NIHR

Before discussing the future role of the National Institution of Human Rights (NIHR), we should draw the attention to the following two facts:

First, NIHR is currently unable to perform its role or achieve the objectives outlined by the Royal Decree issued on 10 November 2009. The nature of NIHR’s establishment, the background of its members and the challenges surrounding its establishment, made it very difficult for NIHR to develop as an effective organization, especially with the resignation of a number of its members.more

The Imperative of reaching out towards Political Trust

Hasan Moosa Shafaei

Hasan Moosa Shafaei

The lack of trust between political parties and various Bahraini social segments is very clear and has reached dangerous levels. It also represents one of the most painful experiences Bahrain has witnessed in its modern history.

Dissatisfaction and distrust between different political parties, and more dangerously the claim made by some politicians that they are unable to cooperate with each other, have become prevalent features of the Bahraini political scene. This reveals that the situation in Bahrain has reached a deadlock which could lead to a complete separation on both political and social levels. Many politicians, journalists, observers and Dr. Bassiouni himself have discussed this lack of trust in several interviews, and called for adopting scientific means to overcome the problem.

In Bahrain there are two intertwined problems: on one hand there is an increasing gap between the political system and the opposition, and on the other hand there is similar gap between the political parties and Bahraini society in general. more

Political Initiatives to
Combat Sectarianism

The root of the problem in Bahrain and the escalating sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shia is undeniably political. It is not a disagreement over a specific religious issue between Shia and Sunni scholars, nor is it a result of 14 centuries of ideological differences. Rather, the present conflict is a result of political arguments and a conflict of interests among the political powers which represent both sects.

This conflict could have been contained within the political elite without affecting wider social relations and the unity of Bahraini society. Unfortunately however, the current sectarian conflict has had a dangerous social impact on both the State and the people of Bahrain. Moreover, Bahraini political parties lacked wisdom during the crisis, and took their problems to the street where slogans and cheap accusations were used. more

Practical Suggestions to Implement
the BICI Recommendations:

Making Sense of Bassiouni’s Report

The King receives BICI report

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) was appointed by the King of Bahrain King Hamad bin Easa Al Khalifa by the Royal Decree No. 28 for 2011, on 29 July 2011. This is in order to investigate the events that took place in Bahrain in February and March 2011 and their consequences. The BICI announced the details of its report on 23 November 2011, and contained 20 recommendations including: the establishment of national independent commission to follow the implementation of the recommendations, compensate the families of those killed, put into place an independent mechanism to hold to account Government officials accused of violating the law, training security and the police forces on how to deal with detainees. This Newsletter of the BHRM includes articles analyzing the report of the BICI. However, this article provides practical suggestions on how to implement the recommendations contained in the BICI report. more

Bahrain: As Country of Religious Freedoms Should Rectify Mistakes
of Demolishing Holy Places

Until the past few months Bahrain was a beacon of religious freedom, no citizen or resident of the GCC states was enjoying the same amount of religious freedom as Bahrain. Despite different opinions on political issues, Bahrain enjoyed a wide margin of religious freedom for all Muslims and non- Muslims.

The modern history of Bahrain clearly reveals this fact as well as the fact that the Bahraini Government offers financial contributions to all religious groups such as Christians, Jews, Shias, Sunnis, Hindus and Sikhs. The BICI report pointed this out and said that Bahrain is an example of ethnic and sectarian coherence compared to neighbouring countries.more

International Reactions to the BICI Report

Welcomes and Calls for the Implementation of the Recommendations and
National Reconciliation

The purpose of the establishment of the BICI was to improve human rights and put an end to violations as well as finding solutions to the political crisis in Bahrain. All countries, as well as human rights organizations, have welcomed this step because they believe in the values of justice, stability and democracy. They are also convinced that there is need for an initiative for improving the political, social and human rights situation in the country. The political leadership in Bahrain realises that the establishment of the BICI is the first step in dealing with the political and security crisis for the sake of rebuilding a unified and stable Bahrain.

The BICI report met the expectations of Bahrain’s friends in the areas of transparency, impartiality, objectivity and professionalism. As expected, King Hamad bin Esa Al Khalifa accepted all the recommendations, pledged to implement them and ordered that an immediate mechanism for the implementation be put forward. more

International Human Rights Organizations Welcome the BICI Report

and Ready for
Co-operation with Bahrain

The establishment of the BICI and the release of its report were both welcomed by international human rights organizations who urged the Bahraini Government to implement its recommendations through a transparent, credible and comprehensive mechanism. They also hoped that the report will open a new chapter in their relations with Bahraini official bodies. Moreover, they expressed their willingness to put their expertise in the service of Bahrain in order to improve human rights and the rule of law.

It is worth mentioning that these international human rights organizations were invited to attend the release of the report on 23 November 2011, and meet Government officials and representatives of the civil society organizations. more

Reactions of Civil and Political Societies to Bassiouni’s Report

The Bahrain Human Rights Society welcomed Bassiouni’s report on 24-11-2011, believing it to be ‘full of important recommendations which, if implemented, could address several human rights violations in the country, especially as the authorities have already partially admitted their responsibility for the violations’. The Society also suggested forming a commission under the OHCHR (as it is the highest international body concerned with human rights) which would work towards implementing the recommendations within a set time frame. It also called for implementing principles of transitional justice, reconciliation and equity. more

Arab and Islamic Countries Welcome
the BICI Report

Many Arab and Islamic countries also welcomed the King’s speech on the day the report was released. On 24 November 2011, the Jordanian Foreign Minister commended the King’s speech and said that: ‘Jordan praises the honest efforts and the commitment of HM King Hamad bin Esa Al Khalifa to uncover the truth in a transparent and integral manner in order to emphasise the rule of law and promote justice. Jordan also appreciates the path of reform adopted by HM the King’

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also welcomed the release of the report and its recommendations. It said in an issued statement that it is convinced that the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain will take the necessary actons to implement the report’s recommendations and findings. The statement stressed that the establishment of the Independent Commission is an important example in the region. more

Shafaei to Al Arbiya Net:

Bassiouni’s Recommendations will Save Bahrain from Sectarianism and
Political Stalemate

What are the difficulties facing the implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) known locally as Bassiouni’s Commission?

Acceptance of the report by all parties, the Government and the opposition, is the first difficulty that lies ahead. The Government has already welcomed and accepted the report. However, until this moment there is no confirmation that the opposition will participate in the new appointed commission to implement Bassiouni’s recommendations.

The second difficulty is that it is still unclear what mechanisms to be used to implement the recommendations. more

Shafaei to CNN:

The Report is a way out for Bahrain and not for political rivalry

On 28 November 2011, the CNN Arabic website conducted an interview with the President of the BHRM Hasan Moosa Shafaei in which he discussed many issues relating to the recommendations of the BICI’s report. Shafaei highlighted the importance of implementing the report’s recommendations saying that: ‘it represents a way out of the political and sectarian predicament for Bahrain’s Government, opposition and people in order to recover socially and politically’.

Shafaei stressed the fact that the value of the report ‘depends on its implementation as soon as possible and with the cooperation of all parties including the opposition and civil society organizations’. He said that the details and the recommendations of the report proved that the BICI is impartial, independent and professional. The BICI was eager to publish a transparent report because this represents one of the most important steps for correcting the accumulated mistakes which led to political and sectarian confrontations’. Shafaei hoped that the report will be a good beginning for a more secure, stable, free and united Bahrain in which human rights is respected’. He warned against looking at the report with the eyes of a group’s interest or as part of a political and sectarian conflict or as a means for political rivalry. For this will reduce the report to a tool for inflaming conflict instead of means for solving the crisis.’ more

Quotations on
Human Rights

- The Crown Prince: I was affected by the Arab Spring

- The Foreign Minister: I was moved by the report

- Ministry of human rights: We are committed to the report

- Bahrain Report Presents an Opportunity for Reform

more

Meetings and Activities

The President of BHRM Hasan Moosa Shafaei visited Geneva, Cairo, Amman and Bahrain to carry out human rights activities. He met a number of human rights activists, many Arab and international human rights organizations, research centres and political and legal figures.

He also conducted a number of interviews with Al-Ahram, Al Dastour, the Egyptian Akhbar, Arabia Net, CNN and Asharq Alawsat. He was also interviewed by Egypt 25, ON TV, ANB, Russia Today and Bahrain TV.

He also met the Editor in Chief of Democracy Review, Dr. Hala Mustafa, Baha Al- Deen Hassan from Cairo Centre for Human Rights Studies, the resident Coordinator for the UN Development Programme in Bahrain, Peter Grohmann, Baquer Al – Najjar, from the University of Bahrain, Chairman of Shura Council, Ali Bin Salah Al Saleh, Chief of the Middle East and North Africa Section in the OHCHR, Frej Fenniche, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar, Dr. Ali Al- Marri, the President of Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists, Nidal Mansoor, Editor of BBC Arabic Radio, Adel Soliman, the President of International Press Institute, Anthony Mills, JuDr Barbora from Article 19, Dr. Isam Abdeen from the Palestinian organization Al-Hag. more

Forum for Media
Freedom Defenders
in the Arab World

The BHRM participated in the Forum for Media Freedom in the Arab World, held in Jordan on 5-7 December 2011. Many Arab and foreign human rights activists, journalists, actors, parliamentarians, judges, legal experts and specialised researchers attended the Forum. The main objectives of the Forum were to support and defend media freedom through strengthening networking among media freedom defenders; and enhancing collaboration between media professionals and human right activists. This is in order to institutionalise media-freedom defence efforts, prepare an Arab strategy to support media independence and media freedom, reduce violations against it and enhance societal environment nurturing of the media. The Forum was organised by the |Amman-based Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists.

The President of the BHRM participated in a number of discussions, including the new media and social networks. He contributed the following:

Social network websites have broken the monopoly of state media and created many opportunities for the public to express themselves and have helped in the creation of a public opinion that serves specific causes. Although we cannot measure the effects of the new social networks websites, they undoubtedly have produced and re-published media materials which played an important role in moving the street.

Social network websites also played a crucial role in organising public political movements and gave the youth the ability to co-ordinate their efforts in an unprecedented way. In other words, they played the old role of parties in organising, inciting and feeding the youth with information. This is as well as directing them towards more