Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
military, the National Guard and the police. He warned against progovernment
political forces that would work to moderate the demands of the
opposition if a dialogue were held. Mr Hussein concluded his statement by
calling for national unity and rejecting sectarianism. Other figures and leaders
who gave statements at the roundabout during the day included Dr Abduljalil
Alsankis, Mr Sami Siyadi of the Wa’ad movement, Mr Abdulla Saleh of the
Islamic Action Society and Mr Mohamed Habib Alsafaf.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
306. Demonstrations continued at the GCC Roundabout and other areas of
Bahrain throughout the day. One of the earliest recorded protests of the day
was at 09:00 when a group of 150-200 people gathered at the gates of the
Municipalities Ministry and then moved to the roundabout. Later in the day, a
rally of around 150 women began at the Dana Roundabout and proceeded
towards the GCC Roundabout. At 20:16, a group of postal workers gathered
in the vicinity of the Lulu Centre and marched towards the GCC Roundabout.
307. At SMC, people continued to gather in the parking area adjacent to
the Emergency Section. At 15:30, a march departed from SMC towards the
GCC Roundabout which included some medical personnel and other
individuals.
308. In a bid to support the ongoing political discussions between the GoB
and opposition parties, the Bureau of the Council of Representatives
encouraged the Al Wefaq members of Parliament to withdraw their
resignations from the National Assembly.
309. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Teachers’ Society announced that it was
suspending the strike it had called for in Bahraini schools.
310. The Royal Court announced that the next day, Friday 25 February,
would be a day of mourning for those who had lost their lives during the
events of the past weeks in Bahrain.
311. Al Wefaq Secretary General Sheikh Ali Salman gave a speech at the
GCC Roundabout that night in which he mentioned the following points:
a. When we elect our government, we will respect the GCC
member States, other neighbouring countries, and we will
uphold all of Bahrain’s international treaty obligations.
b. We are prepared to stay for another week, month, two months,
or even three, until we are granted the right to choose our own
government.
c. We reject sectarianism, and reaffirm that Shia and Sunnis are
united in the demands of this movement. We will also rise
above those who are trying to personalise the issues. We will
remain peaceful in our protests, because we have learnt from
Jesus Christ that love defeats hatred, and we will continue
until we are granted the right to elect and dismiss our own
government.
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