Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what funding they have provided the Bahraini Council of Representatives Secretariat from the technical assistance programme; what assessment they have made of the role of that body in the prevention of opposition parties from participating in the elections in May 2018; and, in the light of any such assessment, whether providing it with funding is consistent with the UK’s international obligations.

​The Government works with a number of implementation partners and beneficiaries to support Bahraini-led reform. These programmes aim to support progress on building effective and accountable institutions, strengthening the rule of law, and justice reform. All of our work is in line with international standards, and aims to share the UK's expertise and experience. Any training provided by, on or behalf of, the British Government fully complies with our domestic and international human rights obligations. The UK continues to encourage the Government of Bahrain to ensure upcoming elections are transparent, fair and inclusive.