The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) attended a press conference on the current human rights situation in Bahrain, marking four years since the Bahraini uprising began in 2011. The event was organised and chaired by Lord Avebury.

Lord Avebury raised concerns regarding the Bahraini authorities’ practice of the revocation of citizenship, including from human rights defenders and critics of the regime. He also raised the cases of Sheikh Ali Salman, opposition leader on trial for plotting a coup, and Nabeel Rajab, leading human rights defender who was recently sentenced for posting comments about the regime online. He called on the UK Government to designate Bahrain a “country of concern” in line with the Foreign Affairs Committee’s recommendations.

Jeremy Corbyn MP also made a statement raising his concerns about the UK Government’s role in exporting arms to Bahrain and their plans to build a military base in the country, in light of the country’s poor human rights record.

The PHRG is continuing to engage with the Government of Bahrain, Bahraini political opposition and human rights activists, and the UK Government on the human rights situation in Bahrain, and to monitor developments closely.