Bahrain King orders setting up of an independent national commission

Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a royal order to set up a national commission to follow up and implement the recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). Bahrain News Agency said that the royal order stipulates that an independent commission, to be called the National Commission, is to be established. Its formation and powers will be based on Paragraph 1715 of BICI report which was issued on November 23, 2011. The National Commission will examine BICI recommendations and submit its own proposals, including recommendations to make the necessary amendments to the legislation and the application of the recommendations. The National Commission will complete and publish its work in a framework of transparency before the end of February 2012. The National Commission will guarantee that the outcome of its work on the implementation of the recommendations is in accordance with best international practices and standards. The government will endeavor to implement BICI recommendations without delay and without waiting for the recommendations of the National Commission. The National Commission has the freedom to comment on the government''s implementation of BICI recommendations. The government will provide the resources necessary to ease the work of the National Commission to empower it to carry out its work fully.