Skip to main content

Leader of Bahrain's human rights probe vows transparency

By the CNN Wire Staff
Anti-government protestors demonstrate in front of military vehicles near Pearl Square in Bahrain's capital on March 16.
Anti-government protestors demonstrate in front of military vehicles near Pearl Square in Bahrain's capital on March 16.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Independent commission head vows to carry out a rapid, comprehensive investigation
  • "Everything ... since the events started in February will be part of the commission," he says
  • The new commission will be headed by a U.N. war crimes expert
  • Bahrain hosts U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, vital in U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

(CNN) -- The head of the independent commission assigned by King Hamad bin Is al-Khalifa with investigating charges of human rights abuses during recent government crackdowns on pro-reform protesters in Bahrain vowed Thursday to carry out a fair, methodical and transparent investigation.

"Everything that has happened since the events started in February will be part of the commission," Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni told reporters at the Sheraton Hotel in Manama.

The law professor and United Nations war crimes expert said he had personally chosen the other members of the commission. He promised to follow international standards regardless of politics and said the commission's work should be a starting point for any future changes.

"There are regulations against torture, regardless of what the person tortured has done," he said.

Bassiouni praised the king, calling his acceptance of the commission "unprecedented in the region."

But for the commission to do its job, it will need cooperation from a wide swath of society, including members of the opposition, civil society and victims of mistreatment, he said.

Justice, too, is a key element of the work, he said. "Anyone who was laid off because of expressing their opinions must be given his or her job back," he said. In addition, any students who have lost their scholarships for having expressed their opinions should get them back, he said.

There are regulations against torture, regardless of what the person tortured has done.
--Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, investigator
RELATED TOPICS

Causes of death among the demonstrators will be investigated, he said. "We need to look at the files of the security apparatus to understand the arrests," he added.

The commission's report will be made public in short order, he said. "The people don't want to wait long for the facts. As soon as we bring the facts to people it will help bring reconciliation."

The king announced the move Wednesday to an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet, saying such violations would not be tolerated, the state-run Bahrain News Agency reported.

At least 30 people have died during crackdowns following street protests held since since February 14, activists say. The Interior Ministry says four policeman have died.

Bahrain is one of several Middle Eastern and North African countries embroiled in anti-government protests. The ruling royal family are Sunnis in a majority-Shiite nation, and many Shiites complain they are discriminated against.

Emergency laws that were imposed in mid-March resulted in a crackdown on political leaders and journalists. They were lifted on June 1, but hundreds of suspected pro-reform protesters remain in custody.

Bahrain has come under pressure from international human rights groups over its treatment of those arrested, a number of whom were sentenced last week under special military court proceedings.

Human Rights Watch says at least 100 have been convicted since the trials began.

The king said the five-member commission is expected to report its findings by the end of October.

"Any person, whether acting on behalf of the government or any other capacity should be aware that we have not given up on our principles and would not tolerate any human rights violations," the king told the cabinet, according to BNA.

"Such acts do not help anyone, but hurt everyone."

King Hamad also issued a royal decree Wednesday ordering that suspected protesters facing military trial be transferred to criminal courts, and opened the door for fresh appeals, BNA reported.

The king previously set up a committee in February to investigate events that led to the deaths of protesters, but no action has resulted.

Bahrain is strategically important to the West, serving as home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet -- a vital instrument for the Pentagon in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Fighter jets from carriers in the fleet provide close air support for American troops in Afghanistan.

CNN's Jenifer Fenton contributed to this report.

Part of complete coverage on
'Sons of Mubarak' in plea for respect
Pro-Mubarak supporters believe Egypt's former president is innocent of charges of corruption and killing protesters.
Timeline of the conflict in Libya
Fighting in Libya started with anti-government demonstrations in February and escalated into a nationwide civil war.
Who are these rebels?
After months of seeming stalemate, Libyan rebels declared they were moving in on Tripoli. But who are they?
Why NATO's Libya mission has shifted
Six months and more than 17,000 air sorties after it began, NATO's Operation Unified Protector in the skies over Libya grinds on.
Interactive map: Arab unrest
Click on countries in CNN's interactive map to see the roots of their unrest and where things stand today.
Send your videos, stories
Are you in the Middle East or North Africa? Send iReport your images. Don't do anything that could put you at risk.
Libya through Gadhafi's keyhole
Behind the official smiles for the cameras some people in Libya's capital are waiting for the rebels, reports CNN's Ivan Watson.
How Arab youth found its voice
Tunisia's Mohamed Bouazizi not only ignited a series of revolts but heralded the first appearance of Arab youth on the stage of modern history.