I share your concerns and depth of feeling on this issue. Human rights and democracy are fundamental to the values the UK champions on the world stage. That is why I am glad Bahrain is a human rights priority country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
The UK has been providing a range of technical and practical assistance to the Government of Bahrain since 2013 to bring about improvements in the robustness of their oversight bodies. The UK’s technical assistance to Bahrain is kept under regular review, is provided in line with international standards, and fully complies with our domestic and international human rights obligations.
I believe that working together in this way offers the best opportunity to see the positive changes which the Government of Bahrain has committed to implementing, including on international agendas, such as women’s empowerment and combating modern slavery. The UK's position on the use of the death penalty is also longstanding and clear. The UK opposes its use in all circumstances and countries.
I am deeply concerned about the cases of Mohamed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa. The UK has raised and will continue to raise the cases both of Mohammed Ramadhan and Hussain Moosa at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Government of Bahrain is fully aware that the UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty, in all circumstances. The former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa publicly stated in January the UK's deep concern that death sentences were handed out. More recently, Lord Ahmad, the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. Following the Court of Cessation’s decision on the 13th July, the UK will continue to monitor the situation.
I hope this helps to clarify the UK’s commitment to addressing Bahrain’s human rights record, and I will continue to follow developments closely and engage with Ministers.
