Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that 51 individuals have been convicted in Bahrain in a mass trial and of allegations of due process violations and confessions arising from torture; whether they plan to reconsider their technical assistance programme to Bahrain; and if not, why not.

We are aware of the trial and conviction of 51 people on terrorism related charges, including possession of explosives, with sentences ranging from 5 years to life in prison. The right to a fair trial is enshrined in the constitution of Bahrain; we continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to follow due process in all cases and meet its international and domestic human rights commitments. We would encourage those with any concerns about treatment in detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini human rights oversight body.

Assistance, which is kept under regular review, is provided in line with international standards, and fully complies with our domestic and international human rights obligations.