A/HRC/21/6 17. The delegation stated that a general strategy has been adopted to upgrade the security apparatus and personnel. Work is underway to revise applicable security procedures in order to ensure maximum human rights. Furthermore, Bahrain has retained international experts on security and human rights to ensure professional policing, with assurances from the Interior Ministry to apply all of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. 18. Regarding the events in Bahrain during the months of February and March 2011, the delegation stated that they had prompted Bahrain to realize significant human rights reforms and achievements in favour of its citizens. The delegation also stated that the King had initiated a number of drastic, but gradual, steps aimed at restoring the situation to normal in the aftermath of the events, beginning with the conducting a National Consensus Dialogue including various components of Bahraini society. The dialogue enabled a complete review of a series of important local issues, and resulted in a number of demands for reform in political, social, economic and human rights areas, the most important being the adoption of a number of constitutional amendments and modifications of a number of bills. 19. The delegation provided information on the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), established by a Royal order, which had formulated a number of recommendations; all have been accepted by the Government. A National Commission, chaired by the President of the National Assembly, was also formed to follow up the implementation of BICI's recommendations, in collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental bodies. A large number of BICI's recommendations has been fully implemented, and others are currently being implemented. 20. On the issue of accountability, the delegation stated that a number of officials who had committed violations during the unrest events of 2011 have been referred for accountability. In the meantime, 142 ongoing investigations have resulted in nine prosecutions so far. A special investigation unit was established in the Public Prosecution Office to consider and investigate reports and complaints of alleged torture, cruel and inhuman treatment. The unit is supported by highly qualified human rights investigators, forensic and criminology experts. The unit operates in compliance with international standards, in particular the Istanbul Protocol. 21. The delegation recalled that the trials relating to the 2011 events have been conducted before civil courts in compliance with international standards. Each prosecuted person has been allowed access to a lawyer. It stated that a lawyer is usually appointed for each person accused in a criminal case who does not have his/her own lawyer. The court provides the accused person with all guarantees to enable him/her to defend himself/herself. All court trials are held in public. 22. The delegation explained that charges related to the right to freedom of expression and opinion have been dropped, as well as the confessions related to those charges. Procedures have also been adopted for cases against medical personnel, so that more than 1,185 out of 1,416 cases referred from the national safety courts have been dropped. The Supreme Judiciary Council had adopted a resolution to establish a judicial committee to review all conviction verdicts issued by the national safety courts; the committee has ordered the release of a number of convicted persons, and the rest of the verdicts are currently being reviewed by the fully independent judicial authority. 23. The delegation stated that the King had call for the establishment of an Arab Human Rights Court to deal with all human rights-related cases. The King’s call came from his firm belief in the political leadership of such a court, given the successive changes and events the Arab world was witnessing. Bahrain has also established a Special Compensation Fund for victims and relatives of victims affected by the recent incidents. 5