Manama, Nov 24(ANI): Bahrain has vowed to act on the report of an independent inquiry commission probe that pointed out that the government used excessive force, intimidation and torture in a crackdown on protesters that led to fear among citizens.
"We do not want, ever again, to see our country paralysed by intimidation and sabotage," the Gulf News quoted Bahrain King Sheik Salman bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, as saying.
The Bahrain Government promised "no immunity" against perpetrators of abuses, and establishing a permanent human rights commission.
The 500-page report, which was released on November 23, recommends establishing an independent body to hold perpetrators of abuses accountable, and stressed reviewing sentences of those charged with "offences involving political expression."
The report noted that detainees were blindfolded, beaten with rubber hoses and metal rods, electrocuted and threatened with rape.
About 2,900 people were arrested under Bahrain's three-month emergency law, but 2,187 were released, the report said.
The methods used by security forces "opened the door to perpetrations of huge violations of human rights, which included deprivation of life and torture," the Wall Street Journal quoted Egyptian human rights lawyer and report head Cherif Bassiouni, as saying.
It, however, found no clear evidence of Iran's involvement in the unrest.
The report was formulated by a panel set up by Bahrain King Sheik Salman bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to probe alleged torture and their abuses.
The US, which had earlier postponed a 53 million dollar weapons sale to Bahrain, believes that it shows a key U.S. ally, King Hamad in a positive light.
"We commend the king for his initiative in allowing this commission to work in a free and unfettered atmosphere," a US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said. (ANI)
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