Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
319. Isolated incidents of violence were reported in various areas of
Manama, including in the Sheikh Hamad Street where a tyre was burned and
placed in the middle of the street. A group of unidentified individuals
disrupted traffic in the Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Road in Manama, while
another group set up a checkpoint in the area adjacent to the City Centre Mall
and on top of the overpass adjacent to the GCC Roundabout.
320. The Bahrain Teachers’ Society issued a statement expressing
gratitude to the teachers who had participated in what was described as the
“largest and most daring” strike in Bahrain’s history, which had “paralysed
the Ministry of Education” and aimed at supporting the demonstrators who
were protesting the “barbaric practices of the authorities”. The Society also
thanked teachers for their return to their jobs at the end of the strike, which
undercut attempts by the Ministry of Education to take retributive measures
against them. The statement condemned the decision of the Ministry to hire
temporary teachers to replace those who went on strike, and denounced plans
to offer permanent contracts to some of those teachers even though they were
unqualified.
321. A limited government reshuffle was announced later that afternoon.
The following four cabinet ministers, who were generally disfavoured by the
opposition, were replaced: the Minister of Health; the Minister for Housing;
the Minister for Electricity and Water Affairs; and the Minister for the
Council of Ministers’ Affairs. The latter minister, Sheikh Ahmed Al Khalifa,
had come under particularly strong criticism in recent years since the “Bandar
Report” scandal broke out in 2006.
Saturday, 26 February 2011
322. Two significant events marked this day. First, the prominent
opposition figure and Secretary General of the Haq movement, Mr Hassan
Almeshaima, returned from exile. Second, there was a major rally in the
vicinity of the Council of Ministers.
323. The day began with limited protests recorded in various parts of
Manama, including a procession of around 50 motorcycles that began in the
Abu Saiba District and then headed towards the GCC Roundabout.
324. At 15:00, Mr Hassan Almeshaima arrived at the Bahrain International
Airport coming from Beirut. He was received by family members, journalists
and news correspondents. Reports at the time claimed that Mr Almeshaima
had flown from London to Beirut to pay his respects to the family of a
deceased friend. According to subsequent government reports, however, the
purpose of this visit was to consult with the Hezbollah leadership in Lebanon
about the situation in Bahrain.
325. Meanwhile, a large demonstration headed from the GCC Roundabout
down the King Faisal Highway and reached the building housing the Council
of Ministers. Among the leaders of the demonstration was Mr Mohamed
Habib Alsafaf, who was joined by Shia clerics and other political opposition
figures. The protest then continued down the King Faisal Highway until it
reached Bab Al Bahrain.
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