The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was established on 29th June 2011 in the Kingdom of Bahrain following the Royal Order No. 28 by His Majesty, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The Commission has been given the duty with investigating and reporting on the unfortunate events that took place in Bahrain from February 2011. The Commission’s main role is to conclude and evaluate whether or not the events which began in February 2011, have involved violations of international human rights law and norms, as well as to provide recommendations. In this context, the Commission has been requested to provide a comprehensive account of the events in description of any acts of violence that occurred, through highlighting the engaged parties involved; and to investigate in any instances of alleged police brutality and violence by protestors and demonstrators against others.

Royal Order

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Royal Decree 28 for the year 2011 setting up the Royal Independent Investigation Commission which will inquire into the incidents that happened in the kingdom in February and March, 2011 and their consequences.

Royal Order No. 28 of 2011 (File Size:195 KB)

Royal Order No. 29 of 2011 (File Size:135 KB)

Though the Commissions of Inquiry are often created by external mandate, the Bahraini Commission of Inquiry was established through internal decision-making and has received a consultation process with various bodies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The terms of reference set out in the Royal Order contain a number of structures that have contributed to the Commission’s integrity and independence, such as:

• The Commission is wholly independent from the Bahraini government and will be responsible for hiring its own staff and administering its own budget;
• The Commission has been afforded full access to government agencies, officials and files;
• The Commission has been granted the government’s cooperation in giving the Commission access to all places and people that the Commission deems appropriate;
• The Commission has the ability to meet with witnesses in secret and to adopt protective measures for witnesses;
• The Commission has the authority to decide on all matters concerning the scope of its work and its methods of operation;
• The Government has undertaken to ensure that no person will be punished, penalized, harassed or embarrassed in any way;
• The Commission has been granted the ability to make any recommendations that it sees fit;
• The Commission’s final report will be made public in its entirety;