Page 283 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Report into March disturbances, 1956 269
2.

proved the Court with fuller evidence before it might not roach
the same conclusion no the Board that there v/ao no justification
for firing. I think that tho fact that tlicoe policemen had
faced a hootilc crowd, Dome for !3'i houro and othei'n for 2$ hour a
before firing v/ould have to bo taken into account, normally whero
police have fired at random without intent to harm or to kill and
without orders the matter v/ould be one for police disciplinary
enquiry. If on ouch enquiry any policeman were found to have
disobeyed police regulations the necessary diociplinary action
v/ould be taken. Nov illy police forces have very strict rules
as to tho use of firearms and I v/ould recommend that the Bahrain
Police Rules be carefully reconsidered and made much stricter.
After full and careful consideration I recommend that no
criminal proceeding be commenced against the policemen who fired
without orders but that there should be a police disciplinary
enquiry if such lias not already been made.
The Board have found that some of the crowd threw stones at
the police although no police were injured. The Individuals who
threw the stones are liable to criminal prosecution but in the
absence of any evidence of identification no prosecutions can be
commenced.
The Board have commented on the complaint of a man who
alleged that on that day a policeman kicked him and stabbed him
in the groin. Although not sntisifed that the complaint was well
founded they recommended further invest!.- ation. I v/ould suggest
here that the normal procedure of laying a complaint should be
followed. If such a complaint is laid the police will have to
investigate it.
B. Disturbances nt Muharrnq, March 2nd.
The Board found that the police behaved in a correct manner
on this occasion but they find that members of the crowd were
guilty of damaging vehicles, These individuals have made
themselves liable to criminal prosecution but in view of the lack
of evidence of identification no attempt to prosecute them can be
made.
C.. Miscellaneous Incidents 2nd - 16th March.
Tho Board find that members of the public have committed
criminal offences one of which would justify a charge of attempted
murder. However, except in the cases in which a revolver was
found on a civilian and a dagger in the possession of another, no
evidence of identification can be obtained. In the absence of
ouch evidence no prosecutions can be commenced.
B. General Observations.
I refer to the comment in which the Board observe that in
some countries it is requirod that some judicial authority such
as a Magistrate be called to the scone and the law x>rovideo that
it is a criminal offence for the police to fire, oven into the
air, without his authority. I would add that in other countries
it is provided that in ouch n case an authorised official should
go to the scene and order the crowd to disperse. If after that
order io given persons continue to take part in tho riot or
assembly they are guilty of an offence. Tho law also provides
that the uso of firearms is prohibited oxcopt in tho case of

extreme/