Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter IV — Narrative of Events of February and March 2011
during the night of 18 February and the early hours of the next day, but noted
that HRH the Crown Prince was not prepared to disclose the ceiling of
measures that would be proposed in any future political discussions.
According to this account, HRH the Crown Prince suggested that the
demonstrators be moved to a location other than the GCC Roundabout, after
which the reform demands could be considered gradually.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
264. Bahrain witnessed a relatively calm day in comparison to the previous
week. Confrontations between protesters and government security forces
were less violent, the GCC Roundabout was reopened to demonstrators and
the BDF units deployed in area were withdrawn.
265. SMC was one of the main centres of activity throughout the day.
Demonstrators began to assemble at SMC at 07:30 and continued to gather in
the car park adjacent to the emergency section until they reached around 1,700
people by 10:30. Protesters raised various political slogans and expressed
numerous demands during the demonstrations at SMC. Some of these
demands related to political and constitutional reform, while others adopted
more radical objectives like overthrowing the regime. Furthermore, a number
of marches proceeded to and from the GCC Roundabout at various times
during the day. In one of these demonstrations, which took place at 21:30,
medical staff organised and participated in a march from the GCC
Roundabout to SMC. A new medical tent was set up in the roundabout by
members of the SMC medical staff. 244
266. Meanwhile, by the early afternoon, a gathering of around 100 people
was recorded in the vicinity of the Dana Roundabout in the Sanabis District.
The size of this demonstration continued to increase as people from Daih and
Jidhafs arrived in Sanabis until it reached around 250 demonstrators.
267. Similarly, a demonstration of around 600 people was recorded on
Suwaifiya Road, which leads to the Manama police headquarters. Police
confronted these protesters and dispersed them using the standard procedures
of firing tear gas and rubber bullets. A smaller gathering of approximately
200 people was also recorded in the Dar Kulaib district in the area adjacent to
the University of Bahrain. Many of these demonstrations and gatherings were
organised via internet-based social networking websites such as Twitter and
Facebook. In addition, text messages were sent via mobile phone to
encourage people to join demonstrations.
268. The main development of the day was the return of demonstrators to
the GCC Roundabout. Starting at noon, small groups began approaching the
roundabout from various directions in an attempt to re-enter the area, which
was still under the control of government security forces. As the numbers of
protesters increased, the BDF units deployed at the roundabout were ordered
to withdraw. Later, after initially attempting to disperse the growing crowds
with tear gas, the remaining police in the area also withdrew, thereby
244 See Chapter V.
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