It is exactly four years now since the Bahrain government took courage to establish an independent body – the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) – to investigate the events that took place following the 2011 unrest. It culminated in a series of recommendations that the government had to carry out so the country could go ahead with reform process.
Internationally renowned authorities on human rights headed by Professor Cherif Bassiouni have been following implementation of the recommendations they suggested. Last week, on his visit to the kingdom, Prof Bassiouni reviewed the progress so far made by the kingdom and claimed that the kingdom has implemented all recommendations. This is something the kingdom should be proud of being a law-abiding country and showing transparency.
Bahrain has gone beyond implementing the proposed recommendations. It has established an independent organisation that can support and contribute to the reform process. The establishment that oversees conditions of detainees and entertains their complaints known as Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission was not on the list of recommendations given by BICI but was a Bahraini addition that has augmented the reform process.
However, the implementation of recommendations was not easy as it seems as there were several hurdles. Provocative actions of the opposition groups allegedly assisted by foreign forces have tried to derail the implementation process. The perseverance of the security forces coupled with proper training afforded to them have contributed to the peaceful handling of confrontations. In doing so several security personnel have sacrificed their lives in defence of the nation.
These martyrs are our heroes and will be remembered. They occupy a special place in the history of Bahrain. The reform process will continue. There is a peaceful atmosphere in the so-called ‘trouble spots’. They are becoming peaceful places to live and do businesses and we are witnessing less security people assigned to those places. The wise leadership which is leading the nation to reform needs appreciation and support.
Duri
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