King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa’s announcement comes as the government is trying to open reconciliation talks with the opposition.

The monarch’s appeal for dialogue, set to begin on Saturday, got a cool reception from opposition groups. The leaders of the biggest opposition party, Al-Wefaq, have not yet decided whether they will join talks.

It was not clear whether the king’s announcement will be enough to draw Al-Wefaq delegates to the talks as the party previously demanded that authorities roll back security measures and halt trials against activists before dialogue begins.

In his speech, the king said Bahrain is committed to reform and respecting human rights. But he accused the protesters of pushing the country into a “state of chaos” with street marches and sit-ins earlier this year.

He said the government will not interfere in the work of the commission that will investigate the “unfortunate events” that took place in February and March. The fact-finding mission will be “completely independent and will consist of international experts,” the monarch said, adding that the commission will report on its findings Oct. 30.

Hundreds of opposition supporters, leaders and professionals such as doctors and lawyers have been arrested or dismissed from state jobs and universities.

Forty-eight doctors and nurses who treated injured protesters have also been charged with crimes against the state and are being tried in a special security court.

The UN human rights office has spoken out repeatedly about accusations of abuses by Bahraini authorities.

Earlier this month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed concern about detainees were claimed they were severely beaten while in custody. She also has condemned Bahrain’s use of closed-door trials and military prosecutors as violations of “international legal standards.”