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 3 Version 4
Bahrain unrest report expected to criticise government Bahrain used excessive force during unrest - report
(40 minutes later)
An independent commission in Bahrain is delivering a report on the violent suppression of anti-government protests earlier this year. The Bahraini authorities used "excessive force" during a crackdown on protests earlier this year, an independent commission has said.
The commission, made up of international legal experts, is expected to be highly critical of the Bahraini authorities. Presenting a much awaited report into the events in February and March, the commission said a number of detained protesters had been tortured.
More than 40 people have been killed in a clampdown on the protests by security forces. More than 40 people died in the unrest.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. More than 1,600 people have been arrested during the protests, which have continued sporadically since the peak of the unrest eight months ago.
'Historic' event
The summary of the 500-page report was presented by the Bahrain Independent Commission at King Hamad's palace in Manama.
The head of the commission, Professor Cherif Bassiouni said investigations carried out by the panel had found that Bahrain's security forces "used excessive force" in suppressing the unrest.
Many detainees were later subjected to "physical and psychological torture" and their basic human rights had been violated, he said.
He also said that 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 a former UN human rights lawyer. The other commission members are all non-Bahrainis.
The inquiry has interviewed more than 5,000 people, including hundreds who say they were tortured in prison.
The mainly Shia protesters will be watching very closely to see how the king reacts to the report, The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Bahrain reports.
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.
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 conditionsRead the terms and conditions