Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
The first would guarantee that HM King Hamad would not object to the
measures agreed upon during the national dialogue. The second option was to
submit the results of the national dialogue to a popular referendum.
Eventually, the latter option was adopted by HRH the Crown Prince and his
team.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
422. Three major demonstrations took place during the day at the
University of Bahrain, the Information Affairs Authority and the General
Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residency. Demonstrations also
continued at the GCC Roundabout and the Bahrain Financial Harbour.
423. The day began with some schools reporting cases of absenteeism
among their student body. These included the Cordoba Middle School in
Bilad Al-Qadeem, Ahmed Al-Omran High School in Al Hoora and the Sheikh
Abdulla bin Issa Industrial High School. Around 100 students marched from
this latter school towards the University of Bahrain at 09:00, where they were
joined by demonstrators from other areas. Reports indicated that at 11:00
some of these demonstrators attempted to enter the university campus but
were prevented by university security.
424. Meanwhile, hundreds of people, including students majoring in media
studies at the University of Bahrain, began gathering at the Information
Affairs Authority to protest against the policies and programming of Bahrain
Television. Many of the demonstrators demanded the resignation of the
Minister of Information and denounced Bahrain Television for what they
considered to be its incitement of sectarianism. Protesters also called on
Bahrain Television to represent the situation in the country accurately and
objectively, and to stop concealing information about violations committed by
the GoB against demonstrators.
425. The third major protest, which was held at the General Directorate of
Nationality, Passports and Residency, began in the early afternoon and
continued until 17:00. Thousands of individuals demonstrated against the
naturalisation policies of the GoB, which they claimed were designed to alter
the demographic balance in favour of the Sunni population. Many protesters
also denounced the policy of hiring expatriates to work in the security services
and described those expatriates as “mercenaries”. In addition, the
demonstrators expressed political demands similar to those heard in other
protests, such as the slogan “the people demand the removal of the regime”.
Among those leading the demonstration was Sheikh Mohamed Habib Alsafaf.
426. Demonstrations also continued at both the Bahrain Financial Harbour
and at the GCC Roundabout. At 20:00, a march was reported to have
departed from the harbour to the roundabout, where various activities were
being organised in the tents. Political figures, journalists and community
leaders gave speeches, and at around 20:30 a play was performed.
427. Later that evening, some political leaders sought to organise a march
towards the Riffa district, where the Royal Palace and the residences of the
senior political leadership were located. The information was circulated
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