MANAMA // Clashes between protesters and security forces broke out on the Bahraini island of Sitra yesterday following a funeral procession for a teenager.
Police used tear gas to quell the demonstration, a day before the anticipated release of a report by an independent commission investigating the violent events that erupted in February, when security forces first cracked down on opposition demonstrations.
Hundreds in the Sitra area joined the funeral march for Ali Al Satrawi, 16, who killed in the early hours of Saturday morning when he was allegedly run over by a police vehicle.
The government said this week he died accidentally - officers lost control of the car after protesters poured oil on the road during a late-night demonstration. The teenager's death inflamed tensions in the island kingdom, where more than 40 people have been killed since February.
Thousands of people have been dismissed from their jobs and many arrested for alleged involvement in the predominantly Shiite protest movement, which demands more political rights, an end to discrimination of the Shiite majority and major political reforms.
Many hope the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report, due to be released today, will set a course towards reconciliation and help bring about changes to a country in crisis.
However, critics of the inquiry have raised questions about the independence of a commission set-up by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, fearing a "whitewash" of the truth.
On Monday, Bahrain's government admitted some security personnel had used excessive force during the height of the crackdown in February and March and afterward.
The cabinet pledged to hold accountable those responsible for human-rights violations, including mistreatment of detainees, for any crimes committed, while also outlawing torture.
"We cannot condone mistreatment and abuses by our officials. There will be no impunity," the cabinet said in a statement.
Opposition figures yesterday said that while such sentiments were positive, changes were yet to be implemented on the ground.
"I don't believe any statements coming from the authority when they come under pressure, just before this big report is launched," said Sayed Hadi Al Mosawi, a former MP and member of Al Wefaq, the main opposition party. "When they said nobody was beyond the law and accountability, we don't believe that they mean themselves."
Yesterday, several Bahraini human rights groups released a draft of their own report outlining the scale of the alleged violations that have taken place since February.
Nabeel Rajab, the head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, said the abuse carried out by the authorities has been "widespread and systematic". The draft report details serious violations of human rights, including torture and deaths in custody.
Among the report's recommendations was a call for the EU and the US to stop weapons deals with Bahrain. The organisations also urged authorities to release all political prisoners and immediately end the "violent repression of protests".
Several of the hundreds of people who gave testimony for the report spoke out about their experiences during the conference yesterday.
One man told how he was beaten in hospital, while others were left blind after being shot in the face.
Said Boumedouha, a researcher with Amnesty International who was one of several representatives from international rights groups at the draft report's release yesterday, said his organisation had repeatedly expressed concerns about the "very serious human-rights violations" in Bahrain.
"Establishing the BICI was a positive step and we are hoping there will be good recommendations [from the report] and we will be calling on the government to implement [those steps]," he said.
zconstantine@thenational.ae
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
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Company%20Profile
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Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
Ferrari
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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A%20QUIET%20PLACE
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SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
