Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
523. Meanwhile, in Tehran, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Iran stated, “The presence of foreign forces and the
interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs is unacceptable, and will further
complicate the issue.” The Spokesperson added, “The people of Bahrain have
demands that are legitimate and are being expressed peacefully.”
524. Four members of the Consultative Council announced their
resignation from the Council. These resignations were later withdrawn.
525. As part of its mediation efforts between the GoB of Bahrain and the
seven main opposition parties, the United States dispatched Ambassador
Jeffery D. Feltman, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs,
to Manama to examine the potential for reaching an agreement between the
two sides. The consultations that were undertaken led to the drafting of a
document entitled, “Code of Conduct – To be Sponsored by a Regional
Leader, with the US GoB Acting as Observer”. The document included the
following points:
a. Al Wefaq and its National Coalition allies will immediately
orchestrate the removal of barricades and protesters from all
highways and from all roads in Manama. Protesters will
maintain a peaceful and orderly presence at the GCC
Roundabout.
b. The BDF and MoI will implement an operation to ensure that
all highways are fully accessible to the general public.
c. The BDF and MoI will immediately implement an operation
to terminate all “vigilante” activity, followed by the
dismantling of all illegal roadblocks and checkpoints.
d. The BDF Commander and ranking GCC Forces Commander
will issue a statement clarifying the deployment of army units
(i.e. to sensitive locations only), as well as rules of
engagement.
e. Al Wefaq and its National Coalition allies agree:
i. To join immediately a genuine and credible national
dialogue process that addresses the concerns and
aspirations of all Bahraini citizens; and
ii. To orchestrate the full withdrawal of protesters from
the GCC Roundabout within four weeks or once the
National Coalition declares that discernable progress is
being made in the national dialogue process, whichever
is sooner.
f. The GoB of Bahrain announces:
i. The right for peaceful and orderly protests to continue;
ii. The temporary shuttering of Bahrain Television;
iii. The release of all remaining “political prisoners”; and
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