Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
295. The most significant event of the day was the organisation of a mass
rally dubbed the “Martyrs’ March” in honour of the victims who had lost their
lives in the protests. The first people to attend this demonstration started
gathering at 07:40 to join the funeral procession of Mr Abdul Reda Hassan,
who had been severely injured on 18 February and pronounced dead on 21
February. Some reports stated that the number of people participating in the
funeral procession exceeded 9,000. The mourners were divided into two
groups; the first was in the vicinity of Roundabout 13 in Hamad Town, while
the second was adjacent to the Om Albaneen Mosque in the Al Malikiyah
district.
296. The number of demonstrators participating in the Martyrs’ March
continued to grow, until by many accounts more than 100,000 people were
marching down Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Road towards the GCC
Roundabout. During the demonstration, many protesters chanted, “The
people demand the removal of the regime”, and asserted their unwavering
commitment to achieving the objectives for which the martyrs had given their
lives. Some protesters also called for the resignation of the Prime Minister,
the rewriting of the Constitution, radical social and economic reforms and
efforts to hold those implicated in the killing of protesters accountable.
Demonstrators also chanted slogans rejecting sectarianism, affirming national
unity and avowing their loyalty to Bahrain.
297. It is estimated that the number of demonstrators at the GCC
Roundabout reached its highest level on this day, especially after the Martyrs’
March entered the area. Estimates place the number of people present at more
than 150,000.
298. During the day, small numbers of police and employees of other
government services, including the fire department, joined the demonstrators
at the GCC Roundabout in their official uniforms. Some of these government
employees gave short speeches at the roundabout expressing their support for
the demands raised by the demonstrators.
299. Throughout the day, HRH the Crown Prince held political discussions
about the ongoing situation in Bahrain, including meeting with a delegation of
Kuwaiti figures who were considered to be possible mediators between the
GoB and the opposition because of their experience in dealing with the Shia
opposition in Kuwait. HRH the Crown Prince also met with various cabinet
ministers and Members of Parliament. In a bid to build confidence between
the GoB and the opposition, HRH the Crown Prince made the following two
recommendations to HM King Hamad: that a pardon be granted to a group of
high profile political leaders who had been accused of attempting to overthrow
the regime in 2010; and that a number of cabinet ministers who had been
subject to criticism by the opposition be replaced.
300. During subsequent discussions, Al Wefaq was asked to reciprocate
these gestures of goodwill that the GoB had made towards the opposition. Al
88