Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the findings in Human Rights Watch's 4 March 2022 publication, The UK Sees no Evil in Bahrain’s Detention of Children, that were critical of the Government statements on Bahrain’s Restorative Justice Law for Children, if the Government will make it its policy to (a) confirm its opposition to Bahrain’s Restorative Justice Law for Children and (b) make representations to the Government of Bahrain calling for the immediate release of six children detained in Bahrain who had their detention renewed on 6 March 2022.

The UK takes account of a wide variety of sources when assessing its policies. We continue to believe that Bahrain's Restorative Justice Law for Children provides greater protections for children's rights than the law it replaces, and is consistent with Article 37 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. We welcome its entry into force and continue to support the Government of Bahrain's efforts to ensure the law is fully and effectively implemented. We encourage those with concerns to raise them directly with the relevant oversight bodies.