Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
404. In the early evening, protesters at the GCC Roundabout began
moving towards the Bahrain Financial Harbour. At first, a small number of
people took blankets and sat at the entrance to the harbour. They were later
joined by more protesters from the roundabout who carried Bahraini flags,
political posters, blankets and a few tents which were subsequently set up. By
23:30, the number of demonstrators gathered at the harbour exceeded 100. Dr
Abduljalil Alsankis was among the political figures participating in this
protest.
405. That evening, HRH the Crown Prince gave an interview on Bahrain
Television in which he reiterated his call to all political societies to engage in
a dialogue, which he said was better than conflict and stubbornness. HRH the
Crown Prince affirmed his belief that the will of the people should be the basis
for future reform, that the only way forward for Bahrain was a national
dialogue, and that the entire country agreed on 70-80% of the demands
presented by the parties. He also warned against escalating tensions in the
country.
Monday, 7 March 2011
406. A number of important developments occurred during the day, the
most significant of which was the establishment of a coalition to create a
republic in Bahrain by a group of opposition factions. The other notable event
was a significant increase in the presence of protesters in the Bahrain
Financial Harbour and surrounding streets; this was considered an important
escalation in the pressure on the GoB by disrupting work in an important
economic district.
407. The movement of protesters from the GCC Roundabout to the
Financial Harbour began in the early hours of the day. At 01:30, individuals
were seen transporting blankets, posters, signs and small tents from the
roundabout to the area surrounding the harbour. By midday, at least four tents
had been set up at the location. As the day proceeded, the number of people
gathered at the site increased until it reached around 200. Many of the
protesters held up one dinar notes in reference to accusations that the land of
the harbour had been sold to the Prime Minister for one dinar.
408. Reports indicated that individuals gathered at the harbour began to
interfere with traffic on the King Faisal Highway. At around 17:00, a car
driven by a Sunni woman was blocked by what appeared to be a checkpoint
that was stopping vehicles on which there were signs or posters expressing
support for the political leadership of Bahrain and the ruling Al Khalifa
family. Gradually the car was surrounded by large numbers of demonstrators,
who began pounding on the vehicle and chanting anti-government slogans.
Fearing for the safety of the woman, other demonstrators and some police
officers intervened to push back the crowd and allow the car to pass. As some
space was cleared, the car began to drive away. As it gained speed, however,
it struck and injured one of the protesters, who was subsequently hospitalised.
409. This incident caused mass anger among the demonstrators who
vowed to retaliate against the woman and her family. Later that evening, the
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