Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many meeting requests they have received from the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy over the past two years, including requests to Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, the UK Mission in Geneva, and other relevant diplomatic posts; and on how many occasions such meetings were granted.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not retain information on the specific number of meeting requests they receive from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, although we are aware that they have met FCDO officials during this period.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they provided any advice or recommendations to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regarding visits or technical assistance support to Bahrain in the past 12 months; and if so, on what dates.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not provided any advice or recommendations to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regarding visits or technical assistance support to Bahrain in the past 12 months.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue maintaining and publishing the list of human rights priority countries in the Human Rights and Democracy Reports.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government is firmly committed to furthering human rights around the world. We do this by investing in building partnerships, including with civil society, and by drawing on our diplomatic and development levers to deliver meaningful change on the ground. In December 2024, I, as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for Human Rights, set out our five priorities for promoting and protecting human rights.
They are: 1) defending civic space; 2) upholding the rule of law; 3) championing equal rights for all; 4) supporting accountable, effective, inclusive institutions; and 5) responding to global challenges, including climate, conflict and technology by prioritising human rights and governance principles.
Our focus will be how we address these priorities and themes across all countries rather than single out an individual country in our published annual report.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to the visit to Bahrain by the Director of the Gulf Strategic Fund Programme, how many meetings he held with non-governmental organisations during that visit, including civil society actors and human rights defenders; what was the source of funding of the trip; and how many officials accompanied him.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) Manager visited Bahrain from 1-2 June. This visit aimed to help the GSF Manager familiarise himself with the Bahrain GSF Programme, understand its local impact, and review outcomes to inform future programme strategy. During his visit, he met Bahraini governmental and non-governmental actors, as well as Embassy staff. Only Embassy officials accompanied the Fund Manager to the meetings. The visit was funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 5 June (HL6901), what specific criteria were applied, and by whom, to ensure that the gift of a sports club to the Royal Navy from the King of Bahrain did not compromise British independence in the region.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government takes the safeguarding of UK operational independence and sovereign interests extremely seriously. In the case of the sports facility generously gifted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence fully considered the offer and found no cause of concern. The facility is located within the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and remains under full UK operational control. It is intended solely for the welfare and morale of UK service personnel stationed in the region.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 5 June (HL6901), whether any minister was informed of the gift of a sports club to the Royal Navy from the King of Bahrain, and if so, which minister and on what date; and whether any minister approved this gift, and if so, which minister and on what date.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We can confirm the Secretary of State for Defence was notified in 2021, of the generous offer for a sports facility to the Royal Navy by His Majesty the King of Bahrain and gave approval. The facility was completed earlier this year in 2025 and remains under full UK operational control and is used solely for the welfare of UK service personnel stationed in Bahrain.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the operational independence and security of UK sovereign interests of accepting gifts from host governments in Gulf states, including the recent sports complex gifted to the Royal Navy by the King of Bahrain.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
His Majesty's Government recognises the importance of ensuring the operational independence and security of sovereign interests, including when operating in partnership with allied nations.
The sports complex is the generous gift of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the Bahrain Royal Family to the UK for its ongoing commitment to the security of the region. And it is intended to support the welfare and morale of UK personnel stationed at the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain, enabling year round access for service personnel.
The UK and Bahrain maintain a longstanding defence relationship, due to our shared interests in regional security and stability.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of intimidation and targeting of the family of Sheikh Ali Salman and individuals who visit his home by Bahrain’s Criminal Investigation Directorate; and whether this will impact the technical support and assistance they provide to that body.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We have made no assessment of the referenced allegation. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has previously raised the case of Ali Salman with the Bahraini Government, as well as with the independent oversight bodies.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of Bahrain in the light of reports of medical neglect of Abduljalil al-Singace by Bahraini authorities; and whether they plan to endorse calls for his immediate release.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We continue to follow and discuss the case of Abduljalil al-Singace with the Bahraini Government, as well as with the independent oversight bodies, where appropriate. The UK remains committed to supporting reforms in Bahrain and to encouraging the government to meet its human rights commitments.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many requests for intervention the British embassy in Bahrain and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have received over the past year regarding British-Bahraini dual nationals facing delays and challenges in leaving Bahrain; and how many of those cases remain unresolved.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Consular support is limited if you are a dual national in the country of your other nationality. As stated in His Majesty's Government Travel Advice, if you are a dual Bahraini / British national the Bahrain authorities may require you to enter and exit Bahrain on a Bahrain travel document only.