5 jan 2012 Gulf Daily news
FORTY-EIGHT policemen have been questioned by prosecutors investigating 107 cases involving the death and alleged torture or mistreatment of civilians during the unrest.
The Public Prosecution yesterday confirmed it had informed the National Commission tasked with following up the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) of its progress.
It is a substantial increase on the 20 policemen who were known to be under investigation, as stated by the government in the unrest probe report, which was published in November.
Meanwhile, the commission called for a strategy to encourage national unity and the consolidation of common values.
It has tasked the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) with developing the plan and requested the body to ensure it adopts a fair, professional and balanced information policy in dealing with opposition societies.
The commission said the IAA should gain the confidence of citizens through producing impartial TV and radio programmes and publications.
The body has also been instructed to ensure it does not ignore events organised by opposition groups. The commission wants IAA staff to be given training to ensure neutrality.
It also requested the government speed up work on two draft laws regulating print, audio, electronic media and the publishing industry.
The commission called for the Bahrain Journalists' Association to adhere to a new media code of ethics designed to help Bahrain as it seeks to undergo reconciliation and encourage writers to promote tolerance and reject extremism.
It also wants the government to emphasise steps which consolidate national unity and call for sectarian tolerance
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National Commission