(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Bahrain's biggest opposition party says the government should step down because it is a police state and has tortured citizens.
The al-Wefaq party cited an independent inquiry that found evidence of systematic human rights abuses during the crackdown on pro-democracy protests earlier this year.
"What is required in Bahrain, [based on the] report of Mr. Bassiouni, is that the government offers its resignation for having been responsible for the torture of citizens," al-Wefaq party leader Sheikh Ali Salman told the Al Jazeera network on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Bahraini rulers announced earlier that they would act on the findings of the inquiry, which is headed by international human rights lawyer Cherif Bassiouni.
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), also known locally in Bahrain as the Bassiouni Commission, was established in June 2011 to investigate claims of human rights violations during the Al Khalifa regime's Saudi-backed crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.
Salman criticized King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for not punishing the former head of the state security body, Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah, who is a member of the Al Khalifa royal family.
After sacking Sheikh Khalifa as the security chief, King Hamad appointed him as the head of an important defense council.
This move runs contrary to the investigation's recommendation to hold officials accountable, Salman stated.
King Hamad also appointed a commission to examine the inquiry's recommendations.
Salman said his party is ready to help “move Bahrain away from the police state the report condemns.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday a Bahraini court postponed the trial of 61 athletes and sports officials accused of having links with the protesters.
According to defense attorney Mohsen al-Alawi, the court postponed the hearing until January 4.
The accused include handball, basketball, and volleyball players as well as referees and administrators for several other sports.
Since mid-February, thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.
According to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, over 51 people have been martyred and hundreds arrested in the crackdown.
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The al-Wefaq party cited an independent inquiry that found evidence of systematic human rights abuses during the crackdown on pro-democracy protests earlier this year.
"What is required in Bahrain, [based on the] report of Mr. Bassiouni, is that the government offers its resignation for having been responsible for the torture of citizens," al-Wefaq party leader Sheikh Ali Salman told the Al Jazeera network on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Bahraini rulers announced earlier that they would act on the findings of the inquiry, which is headed by international human rights lawyer Cherif Bassiouni.
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), also known locally in Bahrain as the Bassiouni Commission, was established in June 2011 to investigate claims of human rights violations during the Al Khalifa regime's Saudi-backed crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.
Salman criticized King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for not punishing the former head of the state security body, Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah, who is a member of the Al Khalifa royal family.
After sacking Sheikh Khalifa as the security chief, King Hamad appointed him as the head of an important defense council.
This move runs contrary to the investigation's recommendation to hold officials accountable, Salman stated.
King Hamad also appointed a commission to examine the inquiry's recommendations.
Salman said his party is ready to help “move Bahrain away from the police state the report condemns.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday a Bahraini court postponed the trial of 61 athletes and sports officials accused of having links with the protesters.
According to defense attorney Mohsen al-Alawi, the court postponed the hearing until January 4.
The accused include handball, basketball, and volleyball players as well as referees and administrators for several other sports.
Since mid-February, thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.
According to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, over 51 people have been martyred and hundreds arrested in the crackdown.
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