Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
the National Democratic Assemblage, the Nationalist Democratic Society, Al-
Ikha’ National Society and the Al-Menbar Progressive Democratic Society)
held a meeting at the headquarters of Al Wefaq. At the conclusion of the
meeting, which lasted for five hours, a short statement was issued in which the
participants condemned the inter-communal clashes that had occurred
throughout the day in Bahrain, called on the people not to confront their
fellow citizens and warned against the dangers of sectarianism.
485. That day, HRH the Crown Prince issued a statement in which he
outlined the principles that should govern the proposed political dialogue.
The statement was issued in light of what HRH the Crown Prince considered
to be the shifting positions of the opposition parties. This statement included
the following:
a. The safety and security of the people of Bahrain comes above
any other consideration, and the “legitimacy of demands must
not come at the expense of security and stability”.
b. Considerable efforts have been exerted to create “effective
links between all the various parties and national groups to
understand their opinions and views in regard to national
matters”, and this reflects the commitment to starting a
comprehensive national dialogue.
c. HRH the Crown Prince accepts the following principles
within the dialogue:
i. A parliament with full authority;
ii. A government that represents the will of the people;
iii. Naturalisation;
iv. Fair voting districts;
v. Combating corruption;
vi. State property; and
vii. Addressing sectarian tension.
These are in addition to other principles and approaches for
national dialogue.
d. HRH the Crown Prince stresses the importance of the
immediate acceptance of the national dialogue and confirms
that “there is no objection to presenting what will be agreed
upon in the dialogue in a special referendum reflecting the
united will of the people”.
486. That afternoon, HRH the Crown Prince and two of his representatives
consulted with Sheikh Issa Qassim, a leading Shia cleric, on the 12 March
MoU and obtained his endorsement of that document as a basis for the
proposed national dialogue. As HRH the Crown Prince and his associates set
off to the meeting, they were contacted and advised that HRH the Crown
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