Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bahrain about (1) individuals who have died in custody since 2011, in particular Mr Hassan Sheikh who died on 26 November, (2) Mr Ahmed al-Mouswi, who alleged he was tortured while in custody, and (3) the individuals arrested in November 2014 for attempting to hold an unofficial referendum.

Our Ambassador in Bahrain publicly raised the UK’s concern about the death of Hasan al-Shaikh at Bahrain’s Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre. Investigations by both the Special Investigations Unit of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman are ongoing.

We understand Mr Al Mouswi has been accused of a number of terrorist related charges. We urge any detainee who alleges to have been mistreated and/or tortured to contact the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman, the National Institute for Human Rights and the Prisoner and Detainee Rights Commission.

The unofficial referendum was called for by the Bahraini proscribed organisation, the 14 February Youth Coalition, who have been responsible for a number of bomb attacks in Bahrain. We understand investigations into those connected with the campaign are being investigated.