Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
and, in some case, calls for the removal of the royal family. Later that night,
at around 21:00, a march of about 80 people carrying Bahraini flags organised
by the Bahrain Engineers’ Society proceeded down the Sheikh Ali Salman
Road towards the GCC Roundabout.
280. Meanwhile, on the political level, Al Wefaq issued a statement
extending its condolences to the families of the victims and condemning what
it considered to be the excessive use of force by security forces. The
statement also expressed Al Wefaq’s full support for the “demands of the
people”, which included the following:
a. Establishing a constitutional monarchy in Bahrain and
redrafting a “contractual” constitution that vests power in the
people.
b. Ensuring that the GoB is freely and directly elected by the
people.
c. Holding those implicated in the injuring or killing of innocent
protesters accountable.
d. Resolving contentious political and social problems that have
been the subject of popular demands for over 10 years,
primary among which is the demand to establish a fully
empowered parliament, vesting municipal councils with
greater powers, redistributing electoral districts, halting
embezzlement of public funds and returning money that has
been misappropriated.
281. Later that day, a coalition of seven opposition political societies
issued a joint statement outlining their demands. These societies were: Al
Wefaq, Wa’ad, the Islamic Action Society, the National Democratic
Assembly, the Nationalist Democratic Society, the Al Ikha’ National Society
and the Al Menbar Progressive Democratic Society. The statement included
the following:
a. Saluting the steadfastness of the youth of 14 February in
confronting the “massacres” committed by security forces at
the GCC Roundabout.
b. Extending condolences to the families and loved ones of the
martyrs who lost their lives in the previous days.
c. Calling on the GoB to take more positive measures that are
necessary for the commencement of national dialogue.
d. Demanding the cessation of “incitement to sectarian hatred”
in the official government media.
e. Calling for the immediate release of all political detainees.
f. Reaffirming commitment to consulting with all political
parties and forces that are active on the political scene,
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