§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held at Ministerial level with Ministers in the Bahrain Government; and what was discussed. [29465]
§ Mr. FatchettMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence held separate meetings with the Bahraini Crown Prince and the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 28 January. They discussed many issues but focused mainly on the current crisis in the Gulf. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised the question of constitutional development and the recent request to the Bahraini authorities from the Committee for Popular Petition for political dialogue.
I also met the Bahraini Minister for Foreign Affairs on 28 January. We discussed regional security issues, including Algeria and the Middle East Peace Process. We also discussed this Government's continuing concerns about human rights in Bahrain.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings the British Ambassador to Bahrain has had with(a) the Government and (b) human rights groups to discuss human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement. [29467]
§ Mr. FatchettOur Ambassador in Bahrain has frequent meetings with Ministers and officials of the Bahraini Government. Their discussions cover many areas of mutual concern, including human rights issues. There are no human rights groups in Bahrain.