Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bahrain: Political and Human Rights

Tuesday 26 October 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Margaret Ferrier asked about the political and human rights situation in Bahrain.
  • The UK continues to monitor and assess the situation in Bahrain, publishing annual reports.
  • The UK engages directly with Bahraini officials to address areas of concern in bilateral meetings.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP asks about the current political and human rights situation in Bahrain, following years of pro-democracy protests.

Question

What recent assessment she has made of the political and human rights situation in Bahrain?

Answer from James Cleverly

We continue to monitor the political and human rights developments in Bahrain. Bahrain is a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office human rights priority country. We publish our assessment of the situation, including on areas of concern and areas of improvement in Bahrain, in the annual FCDO human rights report, most recently published on 8 July 2021.

Answered
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Q2 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP highlights that despite UK funding for oversight mechanisms, cosmetic reforms have failed to address deep-rooted issues. She names specific individuals including Dr al-Singace, Hassan Mushaima, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, and Sheikh Ali Salman.

Question

Over a decade after pro-democracy protests were crushed and oversight mechanisms, which the UK helped to fund, were adopted, cosmetic reforms have failed to remedy Bahrain's deep-rooted problems. Will the Government show their commitment to Bahrain and publicly call for meaningful and inclusive political dialogue there, and for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Dr al-Singace, Hassan Mushaima, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, and Sheikh Ali Salman?

Answer from James Cleverly

The United Kingdom enjoys a constructive relationship with Bahrain, which means that where there are areas of concern we are able to bring them up directly. I myself have done so in bilateral meetings I have had with Bahraini officials, both here in the UK and on my trips to Bahrain. We continue to monitor the cases the hon. Lady raises, and others as necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The government did not make a public call for meaningful political dialogue or unconditional release of prisoners.

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