Written question asked by Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party) on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 December 2023 (named day). It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Bahrain: Prison Sentences

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the publication by Human Rights Watch on the sentencing of 13 people to prison in Bahrain, published on 6 December 2023.

Answer: The FCDO continues to follow matters that relate to human rights in Bahrain closely and is aware of reporting about the court proceedings referenced. We have previously been assured in other cases (where individuals linked to one charge are tried together) that an individual's right to separate legal representation of their choice is guaranteed by law. The UK continues to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meet its international and domestic human rights commitments.

Secondary information