Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter IV — Narrative of Events of February and March 2011
residents. The BDF General Command will take all necessary
legal measures in relation to these arrested individuals in
accordance with the National Safety Decree and the laws
applicable in the Kingdom.
557. Among the areas in which confrontations occurred between police
and civilians were Dar Kulaib, Sitra, Al-Diah, Bilad Al-Qadeem, Al-Zeng,
Abdel Karim Roundabout, Al Malikiya, Al-Ekr, Salamabad, Al-Khamis, Bani
Jamra, Damistan and Hamad Town.
558. Many BDF and police personnel continued to report finding markings
painted on the entrances to their residences, which were considered threats of
retribution against them and their families.
559. MoI reports indicated that earlier that morning security forces
arrested individuals alleged to have been vandals who had been disguised as
patients in rooms 51, 52, 54, 55 and 56 of Ward 11. A team of journalists,
allegedly working for the Al-Manar Channel, were arrested in rooms 63 and
64 on the sixth floor of SMC. Another group of individuals who were
allegedly disguised as doctors was also arrested in rooms 307, 408 and 411 in
the SMC Maternity Ward. At around 16:00, BDF personnel arrested Dr Ali
Al-Ekri at SMC.
560. The seven main opposition parties (Al Wefaq, Wa’ad, the Islamic
Action Society, the National Democratic Assemblage, the Nationalist
Democratic Society, Al Ikha’ National Society and the Al Menbar Progressive
Democratic Society) held a joint press conference in which they announced
the following:
a. All mediation efforts between the opposition and the GoB,
including those undertaken by both Bahraini and non-Bahraini
parties, have been suspended in light of the declaration of a
State of National Safety and the clearing of the GCC
Roundabout.
b. The opposition reiterates its call to form a Constituent
Assembly before the commencement of the national dialogue.
The opposition maintains its insistence on this demand,
despite the GoB’s resort to the language of “arms, bullets,
tanks and rifles”.
c. The opposition rejects the “internationalisation” of the crisis
in Bahrain.
d. The “militarisation” of the situation in Bahrain must cease,
and a neutral party must be allowed to investigate the events
that occurred in Bahrain since 14 February 2011.
e. Advisers to HRH the Crown Prince have made clear during
the meeting held with the opposition parties on 13 March
2011 that “Bahrain will enter a new phase, and that the future
will be dark, unless the opposition immediately enters into the
dialogue”.
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