This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15850509
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bahrain unrest report expected to criticise government | Bahrain unrest report expected to criticise government |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An independent commission in Bahrain is delivering a report on the violent suppression of anti-government protests earlier this year. | |
| The commission, made up of international legal experts, is expected to be highly critical of the Bahraini authorities. | The commission, made up of international legal experts, is expected to be highly critical of the Bahraini authorities. |
| More than 40 people have been killed in a clampdown on the protests by security forces. | More than 40 people have been killed in a clampdown on the protests by security forces. |
| The police have also been accused of torturing detained activists. | The police have also been accused of torturing detained activists. |
| The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was set up in June by a royal decree by Bahrain's King Hamad to investigate alleged human rights violations when the protests were suppressed in February and March 2011. | The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was set up in June by a royal decree by Bahrain's King Hamad to investigate alleged human rights violations when the protests were suppressed in February and March 2011. |
| It is headed by five non-Bahrainis, chaired by the former UN human rights lawyer, Professor Cherif Bassiouni. | It is headed by five non-Bahrainis, chaired by the former UN human rights lawyer, Professor Cherif Bassiouni. |
| The commissioners can also make recommendations on how to end sectarian tensions. | The commissioners can also make recommendations on how to end sectarian tensions. |
| The inquiry has interviewed more than 5,000 people, including hundreds who say they were tortured in prison. | The inquiry has interviewed more than 5,000 people, including hundreds who say they were tortured in prison. |
| More than 1,600 people have been arrested during the protests, which have continued sporadically since the peak of the unrest eight months ago. | More than 1,600 people have been arrested during the protests, which have continued sporadically since the peak of the unrest eight months ago. |
| Deep divisions | Deep divisions |
| Presenting the report King's Hamad palace in Manama, Prof Bassiouni said it was a unique and historic event - the first time a state in the region had voluntarily and without international pressure investigated unrest in its own country. | |
| Prof Bassiouni is later expected to hand the 500-pages document to the monarch. The report will also be published on the internet in English and Arabic. | |
| The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, reporting from Bahrain, says the report is expected to confirm that widespread human rights abuses took place, including the use of torture in interrogations. | The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, reporting from Bahrain, says the report is expected to confirm that widespread human rights abuses took place, including the use of torture in interrogations. |
| Bahrain has a majority Shia Muslim population and the violence has fuelled anger against the ruling Sunni royal family and political elite. | Bahrain has a majority Shia Muslim population and the violence has fuelled anger against the ruling Sunni royal family and political elite. |
| Our correspondent says the mainly Shia protesters will be watching very closely to see how the king reacts when he receives the report. | Our correspondent says the mainly Shia protesters will be watching very closely to see how the king reacts when he receives the report. |
| If the monarch accepts that his government was responsible and acts to change the way the country is run, then the outcome could be positive, our correspondent says. | If the monarch accepts that his government was responsible and acts to change the way the country is run, then the outcome could be positive, our correspondent says. |
| If not, then more violence is likely to lie ahead. | If not, then more violence is likely to lie ahead. |
| In advance of the report's publication, the government of Bahrain has already acknowledged some failings. | In advance of the report's publication, the government of Bahrain has already acknowledged some failings. |
| "Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees," it said in a statement on Monday. | "Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees," it said in a statement on Monday. |
| A government spokesman, Sheikh Abdulaziz Alkhalifaa, told the BBC: "We are in a very polarised society". | A government spokesman, Sheikh Abdulaziz Alkhalifaa, told the BBC: "We are in a very polarised society". |
| "In order to move forward we need to find out the truth." | "In order to move forward we need to find out the truth." |
| "I think the report will tell us exactly what happened since February and only then can we use this as a road map to bridge the divide between all communities here in the country," he said. | "I think the report will tell us exactly what happened since February and only then can we use this as a road map to bridge the divide between all communities here in the country," he said. |
| Meanwhile, a number of Shia activists have told the BBC that they fear the report will end up putting the blame equally on both sides, effectively exonerating the government. | Meanwhile, a number of Shia activists have told the BBC that they fear the report will end up putting the blame equally on both sides, effectively exonerating the government. |
| Are you in Bahrain? Have you witnessed any of the protests? What are your expectations of the report? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Bahrain? Have you witnessed any of the protests? What are your expectations of the report? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |