Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter IV — Narrative of Events of February and March 2011
employment be based on merit rather than personal connections; (iii) that
steps be taken to establish a more just political system; and (iv) that religion
play no role in politics. The Al Wefaq leaders explained that the expectations
of the youth had risen, which meant that the ceiling for demands had risen.
Therefore, Al Wefaq would now call for the drafting of a new constitution and
not just amendment of the 2002 Constitution.
349. That night, at around 20:30, the Bahrain Medical Society held a
meeting at which a representative of the Wa’ad political society gave a
statement and proposed calling for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
350. There were two major developments on this day. First, larger student
demonstrations were reported throughout the day, many of which headed
towards the GCC Roundabout. Second, the protests extended from the
roundabout to the nearby Financial Harbour of Bahrain.
351. Starting at 07:00 and continuing until the early afternoon, students in
numerous neighbourhoods left their schools and organised marches many of
which ended up at the GCC Roundabout. By 08:00, no fewer than 1000
students had joined these demonstrations in areas including Issa Town, Hamad
Town, Naim, Bu Ghazal, Jabalat Habshi and Manama. Meanwhile, another
group of over 800 students headed towards the Ministry of Education where
they organised a sit-in at the gates of the Ministry.
352. The demands expressed at these student demonstrations echoed those
raised during earlier student protests. Many participants called for the
removal of the Minister of Education, while others chanted more political
slogans, including the call to remove the regime and the demand that the
Prime Minister resign from office. Many protesters also rejected sectarianism
and affirmed their commitment to national unity.
353. Starting at 14:00, a large march began in the Qofool district,
organised by the following major opposition political societies: Al Wefaq,
Wa’ad, the Islamic Action Society, the National Democratic Assembly, the
Nationalist Democratic Society, Al-Ikha’ National Society and the Al-Menbar
Progressive Democratic Society. The march headed towards the GCC
Roundabout and continued to grow until the number of participants was
estimated to have exceeded 12,000. A procession of disabled persons also
joined the demonstration to express their support for the protesters at the GCC
Roundabout. The demands expressed during this demonstration were similar
to those seen in the protests of the previous days. People called for the
removal of the regime, rejected any political dialogue with the GoB before the
regime was removed, condemned the use of force against protesters and
demanded the release of political prisoners who were still detained, including
Mr Mohamed Al-Buflasa. Many participants also denounced what they
considered to be the biased and pro-government coverage of the unfolding
events by Bahrain Television. After the demonstration, the organising
political societies issued a joint statement expressing gratitude to the people
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