Manama: Bahrain on Tuesday set up a national fund to compensate the victims of the unrest that hit the country in February and March and of similar incidents that occurred afterwards.
The National Compensation and Redress Fund will be under the authority of the Human Rights and Social Development Ministry unless stated otherwise, the decree issued by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa said.
Under the decree, people who suffered material, moral or physical damage from public security forces or public officials are eligible for compensation.
The scheme also covers members of the public security forces and public officers who suffered any form of material, moral or physical damage during the exercise of their duties and any person who suffered material, moral or physical damage because of the incidents or for intervening to assist victims in distress or to prevent their victimisation.
The compensation is extended to the victims and to their relatives up to the fourth degree or their dependents, the decree said. No other groups or individuals may request compensation from the fund.
However, the disbursement of the compensation can be made only after a final criminal conviction against the perpetrator is issued by a court.
The fund will have an independent budget and its financial resources will be from the special allocations within the state budget, the amounts received from those who caused damages, assistance gifts and donations.
