Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter V — Events at Salmaniya Medical Complex
authorises that official to determine whether a meeting warrants police
presence on the basis of “its subject... or any other circumstance.” This law
also stipulates that meeting organisers are responsible for “forbidding any
speech or discussion infringing on public order or morals”, but does not define
“public order or morals”.
820. Article 5(2) of Law No. 18 of 1973 on common meetings,
processions and gatherings, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2006, provides:
In all cases, it is not allowed to hold public meetings before seven
o’clock in the morning, or to continue after eleven thirty at night,
unless by special permission from the head of the public security
or his deputy.
821. Article 11(a) states:
It is not allowed to set up marches, gatherings or demonstrations,
or the continuation thereof, before the sunrise or after sunset,
unless by special written permission, from the head of public
security, or his deputy.
And article 11(b) states:
It is not allowed to organise marches, gatherings or
demonstrations, which are set up near hospitals, airports,
commercial complexes or places of a security nature, provided
that the Ministry of Interior shall specify these places and
announce them.
822. Concerning illegal protest, the Bahrain Penal Code regulates
demonstrations and riots in the country. Articles 178, 179, 180, 181 and 182
provide as follows:
Article 178
Every person who takes part in a demonstration in a public place
where at least five persons are assembled with the aim of
committing crimes or acts intended to prepare or facilitate the
commission of such crimes or aimed at undermining public
security, even though for the realisation of a legitimate objective,
shall be liable for imprisonment for a period of no more than two
years and a fine not exceeding BD200, or either penalty.
Article 179
If one demonstrator or several demonstrators attempt to use
violence for the realisation of the purpose for which they have
assembled, their action shall be deemed a riot. The penalty for
each person who knowingly takes part in such riot shall be a
prison sentence and a fine not exceeding BD500, or either penalty.
Article 180
(1) If one of the public authority officers finds that five persons or
more have demonstrated with the intent to cause a riot, he may in
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