Symposium: International Commissions of Inquiry

• Helal, Mohamed S

Abstract

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) was established to investigate the civil unrest that occurred in Bahrain during February and March 2011. This article employs qualitative empirical techniques to provide an account of the impact of the commission during three periods: (i) the period of the establishment of the commission; (ii) the five-month period of the commission’s presence in Bahrain; and (iii) the period following the submission of the commission’s report. The establishment of BICI was part of a government strategy to deflate domestic political tension and deflect international opprobrium in the aftermath of the crackdown on anti-government protestors in March 2011. Reformists within the government, especially Bahrain’s King Hamad, also hoped to utilize the report as a catalyst for implementing political reforms. The establishment of the BICI contributed to reducing the severity of the criticism directed at Bahrain from foreign governments, international organizations and domestic opposition actors. This article also describes the intercessions undertaken by the BICI on behalf of the victims of human rights abuses during its presence and operation in Bahrain and identifies some of the reforms that were recommended by the commission and executed by the Government of Bahrain during that period. Finally, this article examines the impact of the BICI following the submission of its report. It argues that, despite undertaking some positive institutional and administrative reforms, the Government of Bahrain has failed to fully implement the commission’s recommendations, especially those relating to holding those responsible for human rights abuses accountable. The article concludes that the failure of the BICI to make a substantial difference, especially in the area of accountability, is reflective of a general lack of political will to undertake the comprehensive reforms necessary to address the systemic sources of popular discontent that fuelled the 2011 protests.