Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter IV — Narrative of Events of February and March 2011
this regime, and it must send fact-finding missions to
investigate what is happening on the ground.
f. The Coalition supports the popular and open strikes by
students, workers and professionals. Moreover, the Coalition
supports acts of organised and peaceful civil disobedience
announced by 14 February youth groups. These strikes and
acts of civil disobedience are the way to achieve major
demands for which the people have already made sacrifices.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
507. In light of the general deterioration of the state of security throughout
Bahrain, HM King Hamad issued Royal Decree No. 18 of 2011 declaring a
State of National Safety for three months throughout the territory of the
Kingdom of Bahrain. 251 In accordance with this decree, Bahraini authorities
and law enforcement agencies began to adopt a more forceful approach
towards both demonstrators and individuals partaking in acts of vandalism or
causing disorder.
508. During the day, violent clashes were reported between police and
individuals in various areas of Bahrain. A number of civilian and police
fatalities were recorded, in addition to large numbers of injuries on both sides.
The day was also marked by the continued blocking of main roads in many
neighbourhoods, the setting up of checkpoints at the entries to a number of
districts, and the reporting of numerous assaults on passers-by and civilians in
various areas.
509. Shortly after midnight, residents of Issa Town apprehended a number
of individuals who were attempting to overturn a garbage dumpster and set its
contents on fire in the vicinity of Complex 816. In Al-Budaiya, reports
indicated that, at around 03:30, an unidentified individual fired gunshots in the
air and attempted to run over passers-by with his car. Around the same time, a
police patrol that was attempting to open blocked roads in the same area was
attacked by unidentified individuals with Molotov cocktails.
510. At around 01:00, the headquarters of the Al-Wasat newspaper were
vandalised by unidentified individuals and a number of its employees were
assaulted.
511. Reports indicated that, starting in the early hours of the day and
continuing throughout the morning, roadblocks were set up by individuals in
many areas of Manama and other cities and neighbourhoods. For example,
starting at 02:00, a number of persons armed with sticks and metal rods
manned a checkpoint in Dar Kulaib. At around 02:45, a police patrol was
dispatched to remove this checkpoint and arrest the individuals responsible for
setting it up. During the operation, at least one police officer was injured
when his patrol car collided with the fence of a nearby house as they chased
the individuals at the checkpoint. Similarly, a group of persons blocked Al-
251 See Chapter III, Sections F, G and H for an overview and analysis of Royal Decree 18 of
2011 on the Declaration of a State of National Safety in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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