Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter V — Events at Salmaniya Medical Complex
809. Two months later, military personnel were identified and charged
with manslaughter in the same case, and these allegations against the medical
personnel were dropped. 438 Another point raised during the press conference
regarded the large quantities of medication and medical equipment that were
stolen and taken to the GCC Roundabout.
B. Applicable Law
1. International Law
810. Article 19(2) of the ICCPR concerns the right to freedom of
expression and provides:
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right
shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and
ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing
or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his
choice.
811. However, article 19(3) provides:
The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this
article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may
therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be
such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order
(ordre public), or of public health or morals.
812. Article 21, concerning the right to assembly, provides:
The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognised. No
restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than
those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary
in a democratic society in the interests of national security or
public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public
health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of
others.
813. Article 32 of the Arab Charter of Human Rights (the Arab Charter)
also enshrines the right to freedom of expression:
1. The present Charter guarantees the right to information and to
freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the right to seek,
receive and impart information and ideas through any medium,
regardless of geographical boundaries.
438 Doctors Found innocent concerning the killing of Al Moomen after the trial of a military
officer being charged with his death, Al Wasat News (13 August 2011),
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3262/news/read/583122/1.html accessed 5 November 2011
(Arabic Text).
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