Khalifa of Bahrain has issued an order to form a working team with members from the government to study the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry and the results of its investigation. In a speech he made on receiving the final report of the Commission, he said, “The Kingdom of Bahrain will benefit from the recommendations presented by the Commission. The report grants Bahrain a historic chance to deal with the most important and urgent matters.” King Hamad stressed that the officials who did not perform their duties properly would be held accountable and replaced. He said his country would lay down and carry out reforms which would satisfy all segments of the Bahraini society because that is the only road to achieve national conciliation and treat the cracks that have affected the society. He announced that Bahrain has decided to allow the participation of specialist international organizations and prominent figures to support its security bodies and their officials. He said his country is determined to guarantee the that the painful events do not occur again and that it would learn lessons from them to help it toward positive change and development. King Hamad said Bahrain has taken the initiative to present its proposals to amend its laws so as to provide bigger protection to the right of expression and expand the concept of torture so as to guarantee that its criminal laws cover all forms of mistreatment so that they are consistent with international standards of human rights. He said they would also look into legal steps and procedures in criminal courts. He thanked GCC countries for contributing in protecting the vital installations through the Peninsula Shield forces without any action against citizens. King Hamad appealed to Arab countries to forge ahead and establish an Arab human rights court.
