UK MPs condemn government prioritizing Bahrain trade over human rights
British MPs have banded to condemn their government's turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in Bahrain, calling for an end for UK support to the Gulf kingdom.
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From the Bahrain Embassy protest in London
British MPs demanded their government to put pressure on Bahrain in order to secure the immediate release of Manama's political prisoners. The calls were made during a press conference held in front of the Gulf kingdom's London embassy on Thursday.
MPs from various parties partook in the discussion on Bahrain's serious human rights abuses during a House of Commons session, and also raised the cases of political prisoners Hassan Mushaima and Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, the academic who has been on hunger strike for around 190 days.
Thank you to all those who attended & spoke at our press conference outside the #Bahrain Embassy in solidarity with Dr Abduljalil AlSingace today 🪧
— BIRD (@BirdBahrain_) January 13, 2022
Special thanks to @BrendanOHaraMP + @jeremycorbyn, activist @AMushaima, @AgneseBoffano & @minathabet1 of @pen_int #FreeAlSingace pic.twitter.com/BMV2KjJXku
A number of MPs also shed light on human rights violations in Bahrain, including the suffering of political prisoners and opposition leaders, as well as the torture methods employed against political prisoners, kangaroo courts, and capital punishment.
“We’re here to speak for justice and human rights around the world, and today our focus is on Bahrain. I hope they’re listening…”
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 13, 2022
My speech in today’s debate on the ongoing detention of Bahraini political prisoners. pic.twitter.com/Kq2FWSNIQH
A report by Middle East Eye has revealed that British MPs had concerns over taxpayer money being used to support the Bahraini regime.
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Bahrain's human rights violations in 2021
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, said that the UK's role in funding and supporting the "violent institutions in Bahrain who are notorious for criminalizing those who dream of democracy in their country" needs more clarity.
“Political prisoners in Bahrain have endured over a decade of severe injustices, from unspeakable torture and inhumane prison conditions to systematic denial of medical treatment," Alwadaei told Middle East Eye. "This issue can no longer be ignored, and it is high time for it to be scrutinized within the British parliament, given the UK government’s role in backing the ruling Al Khalifa family."
