Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bahrain about the deprivation of citizenship of 49 of that country's nationals; and what effect the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s "comprehensive package of reform assistance [to Bahrain], with a focus on strengthening human rights and the rule of law", as set out in their country case study, has had on the state of Bahrain’s law on citizenship.

We have raised with the Government of Bahrain the decision to withdraw citizenship from 31 individuals in 2012 and are aware of a number of new cases since then. We encouraged the authorities to conduct full investigations into any of those accused of crimes and ensure that individuals are given a right of appeal against citizenship deprivation decisions. The UK provides technical assistance to Bahrain and share best practice on the criminal justice system. These programmes aim to help with implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and UN Universal Periodic Review. In addition to this technical assistance, we engage politically with the Government of Bahrain at the highest levels on areas of concern – including encouraging Bahrain to ensure that international norms of justice are adhered to in every case.