Asked by: Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat - Carshalton and Wallington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government made to the Ombudsman of the Bahraini (a) Ministry of Interior and (b) authorities on that Ombudsman's investigation into the alleged torture of Mohamed Ramadan.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Government has raised Mohamed Ramadan’s case with the Bahraini authorities. I did so most recently when I met the Bahraini Ambassador to the UK, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, on 8 March 2016. Embassy officials have been in direct contact with the Ombudsman, who has confirmed that whilst there have been a number of complaints raised with his office in the case of Mr Ramadan, there have been no allegations of mistreatment or torture.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the human rights situation and (b) prison conditions in Bahrain.
Answered by Lord Hammond of Runnymede
We support the reforms underway in Bahrain and commend the steps taken by the Bahraini government to implement the recommendations set out in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and UN Universal Periodic Review. While progress has been made in a number of areas, we are clear that more needs to be done. The Bahraini Ministry of Interior Ombudsman, National Institute for Human Rights (NIHR) and Prisoners’ and Detainees’ Right Commission (PDRC) have released a number of reports detailing prison conditions in Bahrain and have made important recommendations to the Bahraini authorities. We encourage the Government of Bahrain to move swiftly to implement all their recommendations. We are also providing a range of technical assistance to support the government of Bahrain in its broader reform programme, aimed at strengthening human rights and the rule of law.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the government of Bahrain concerning the cases of Nabeel Rajab and Hussain Jawad and other human rights activists charged with expression-related offences.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I have raised Mr. Rajab’s case with senior representatives of the Government of Bahrain and encouraged the Bahraini authorities to ensure due process is followed and international norms of justice are upheld, including with regards to freedom of expression. The Government is also following Mr Jawad’s case closely. The British Embassy in Bahrain has raised the allegations of mistreatment made by Mr Jawad with the Ministry of Interior’s Ombudsman. I understand that Mr Jawad’s complaint has been referred to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and a criminal investigation is underway. The Ministry of Interior Special Investigation Unit is aware of the UK’s concerns about this case. British embassy officials have attended Mr Rajab and Mr Jawad’s court appearances.Asked by: Lord Hylton (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
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.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
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.
Asked by: David Anderson (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been made to his Bahraini counterpart about the health facilities on offer in prison to Dr Abduljalil Al Singace.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Our Embassy in Bahrain raised the case of Dr Abduljalil Al Singace, along with a number of other cases, with the Ombudsman for the Ministry of Interior in May. Our Ambassador in Bahrain also raised our broader concerns around detainee rights and prison conditions with HM the King, HRH the Crown Prince and the Minister of Interior.