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Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

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Chapter IV — Narrative <strong>of</strong> Events <strong>of</strong> February and March 2011<br />

631. The Chamber <strong>of</strong> Deputies accepted <strong>the</strong> resignations submitted by 11<br />

Al Wefaq Members <strong>of</strong> Parliament. The Chamber postponed consideration <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> seven remaining resignations.<br />

Wednesday, 30 March 2011<br />

632. A higher number <strong>of</strong> demonstrations were reported during <strong>the</strong> day,<br />

many <strong>of</strong> which were attended by around 100 protesters. Among <strong>the</strong><br />

neighbourhoods where demonstrations took place were Sanabis, Saar,<br />

Nuwaidrat, Al-Ma’ameer, Jidhafs, Bilad Al-Qadeem, Sitra, Al Diraz, Al Dair,<br />

Bani Jamra, Al-Zeng, Karana and Bouri.<br />

633. The MoI deployed riot police to confront and disperse <strong>the</strong>se<br />

demonstrations. As in earlier days, tear gas, sound bombs, rubber bullets and<br />

shotgun rounds were used to disperse <strong>the</strong> crowds. Security forces and<br />

protesters also blocked <strong>the</strong> entries and exits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se neighbourhoods.<br />

634. At 18:30, a 15-year-old boy, Mr Sayed Ahmed Saeed Shams, was<br />

pronounced dead at <strong>the</strong> American Mission Hospital. <strong>Report</strong>s indicate that he<br />

was fatally injured when struck in <strong>the</strong> head by a tear gas canister shot at close<br />

range by a riot control unit deployed in Saar. According to eyewitness<br />

testimony, he fell to <strong>the</strong> ground upon being struck by <strong>the</strong> canister, after which<br />

police continued to beat and kick him.<br />

Thursday, 31 March 2011<br />

635. An attack using Molotov cocktails against <strong>the</strong> Sayeda Zeinab Mosque<br />

in Hamad Town was reported.<br />

636. Fewer demonstrations were reported than on previous days. Groups<br />

<strong>of</strong> demonstrators ranging in size between 10 and 40 persons ga<strong>the</strong>red in<br />

various locations in Manama and neighbouring villages, and confrontations<br />

occurred between riot police and demonstrators. Many demonstrators placed<br />

barricades in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> roads to stop police from advancing towards <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

637. Individuals were also reported to have ga<strong>the</strong>red in a number <strong>of</strong><br />

Ma’tams to commemorate <strong>the</strong> passage <strong>of</strong> 40 days since <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> victims who had died since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> events <strong>of</strong> February/March.<br />

638. Police continued to remove roadblocks erected by protesters in<br />

various neighbourhoods and villages throughout <strong>Bahrain</strong>. Police checkpoints<br />

also continued to search and seize individuals found to possess antigovernment<br />

posters, leaflets or o<strong>the</strong>r similar material. Those individuals<br />

arrested by police, ei<strong>the</strong>r on <strong>the</strong> streets while participating in protests or at<br />

checkpoints, were all handcuffed behind <strong>the</strong>ir backs, blindfolded and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

transferred to police stations, where <strong>the</strong>y were beaten, slapped, kicked and<br />

verbally insulted and abused.<br />

639. The Minister <strong>of</strong> Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al<br />

Khalifa, met with <strong>the</strong> Prime Minister <strong>of</strong> Bangladesh to reassure her that <strong>the</strong><br />

GoB would ensure <strong>the</strong> safety and security <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> expatriate Bangladeshi<br />

community.<br />

161

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