Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in Bahrain on the persecution of lawyers in that country; and whether he has made recent representations on the cases of Abdullah Al-Shamlawi and Abdulla Hashem, on their prosecution being reviewed and on the disciplinary proceedings against them being discontinued.

We are aware of these cases. Abdullah Al Shamlawi has appealed his conviction and is on bail pending a 14 September hearing at the Court of Appeals. The Criminal Court heard Abdulla Hashem's case in August but has not yet reached a verdict which is expected at the next hearing on 29 September.

The UK supports freedom of expression and freedom of speech as both a fundamental right, and as an essential element of a full range of human rights. We continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to protect freedom of expression for all its citizens, in line with its international obligations.