Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
individuals from the roundabout armed with knives to guard all
entrances and exits of the hospital with the intention of controlling
those entering and exiting, and spreading terror among nationals
and expatriates. The exits and entries of the hospital were blocked
by ambulance cars and other vehicles. They also spread false and
inaccurate information regarding the number of injured to tarnish
the reputation of the Kingdom in the international media.
They performed unneeded surgical operations with the aim of
aggravating any existing wounds that patients may have incurred,
and filmed and broadcast these injuries to the international media.
They planned and executed this with a terrorist motive, the aim of
which was to subject the Kingdom to danger and to spread fear
among its residents in solidarity with achieving the illegitimate
aims of the roundabout protesters using force and threats.
699. The accused medical personnel, as well as denying the above
allegations, have made their own allegations against the GoB and its
supporters in relation to their conduct during the events of February/March
2011. 303 These allegations relate to the following:
a. Mismanagement at SMC and lack of preparation to deal with
events;
b. Spreading of false rumours and accounts of what was
happening at SMC during the protests;
c. Attacks on medical staff at the GCC Roundabout;
d. Refusal to send ambulances to assist the injured;
e. Unlawful arrests and mistreatment of medical personnel by
the authorities;
f. Lack of access to medical care; and
g. A media campaign against the accused medical personnel by
Bahrain Television and government officials.
700. The first allegation is dealt with in Subsection (1) below, while the
second allegation is dealt with in Subsection (2). The third, fourth, fifth, sixth
and seventh allegations are dealt with in separate Subsections (9), (10), (11),
(12) and (13), respectively.
(1) Control and management of SMC
701. All reports indicated that there were protests, and indeed chaos, in the
SMC Emergency Section and the adjoining car park during February and
303 These allegations are based on their own version of events. A variety of other documents
support these allegations including statements of more than 30 defence witnesses in Case No.
191 of 2011, statements provided to the Commission, documents (e.g. receipts and minutes of
meetings) presented to the Commission as proof, files from their lawyers and local human
rights societies, and reports by international organisations.
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