Bahrain: an update
Despite some progress in Bahrain, most reports suggest that the reform programme has been half-hearted at best. Unrest and reports of abuse continue and some fear an impending crisis.
In November 2011, the Bahrain International Committee of Inquiry published its hard-hitting report on the events in the spring of that year. The report recommended sweeping reforms to end impunity for torture and extrajudicial killings and to work towards the reconciliation of Bahraini society. Despite some changes, most reports suggest that the implementation of the reforms has been half-hearted at best. Unrest and reports of abuse continue and some fear an impending crisis. Some in the Bahraini government see a partial union with Saudi Arabia as a resolution to the crisis.