Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I -- INTRODUCTION 1
A. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 1
B. ORGANISATION OF THE COMMISSION`S STAFF 2
C. OVERVIEW AND METHODOLOGY OF THE COMMISSION`S WORK 2
D. CHALLENGES FACED BY THE COMMISSION 8
E. COMMISSION FINANCES 9
F. COMMISSION RECORDS 9
G. PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPORT 10
H. SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS BY THE COMMISSION 10
CHAPTER II -- HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 11
A. BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT BAHRAIN 11
B. A BRIEF HISTORY OF BAHRAIN 11
C. GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE AND LEGAL SYSTEM 13
D. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES 14
E. RELIGIOUS AND SECTARIAN COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION 19
F. POLITICAL ACTIVITY 24
G. A NEW ERA OF PROMISES AND CHALLENGES 29
CHAPTER III -- RELEVANT ASPECTS OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURES 35
A. INTRODUCTION 35
B. THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS OF BAHRAIN 36
C. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC PROSECUTION IN BAHRAIN 38
D. OVERVIEW OF PROCEDURAL GUARANTEES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF BAHRAIN 39
E. LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES AND OVERSIGHT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES 40
1. The Code of Criminal Procedure 40
2. The Military Penal Code 41
3. The Public Security Forces Law 42
4. The Decree Establishing the National Security Agency 43
5. Conclusions 44
F. THE SCOPE AND CONTENT OF ROYAL DECREE NO. 18 OF 2011 ON THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF NATIONAL SAFETY 45
