Bahrain

EDM number 2756 in 2010-12, proposed by Tony Lloyd on 22/02/2012.

That this House notes the Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry published last December which found that excessive force was used by the Bahraini authorities in clamping down on the peaceful protesters demanding democratic reform last year with no evidence that Iran was involved in the unrest; acknowledges that King Hamad Al Khalifa welcomed the report; is concerned that there is abundant evidence of the continual violation of human rights in Bahrain; condemns the imprisonment of medics, teachers and the Bahrain Teachers' Association President, Mahdi Abu Dheeb, the sacking of thousands of teachers and the serious charges being pressed on the President of theBahrain Nursing Society, Mrs Al Saffar; further notes that the UK's long standing economic and political links to Bahrain means that the Foreign Secretary is uniquely placed to point out to theBahrain Ambassador, as well as to the King of Bahrain, that rejection of the report's findings is unacceptable to the UK; urges the Foreign Secretary to make the strongest possible representation to the Bahrain regime that the medics and teachers and other political prisoners, be released; and further urges the King of Bahrain to back a rapid process of political reform.

This motion has been signed by a total of 20 MPs.