Suspension Of Operations Of The Al-Wefaq Group In Bahrain

EDM number 223 in 2016-17, proposed by Ann Clwyd on 15/06/2016.
Categorised under the topics of Human rights, International politics and government and Middle East.

That this House is seriously concerned about the suspension in Bahrain of the operations of the main political opposition group, Al-Wefaq, and the freezing of its assets following a request to the Bahraini Courts from the Bahraini Ministry of Justice, which alleged the action was necessary to safeguard the security of the kingdom; is dismayed by the increase of the jail sentence of Al-Wefaq's leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, from four to nine years for matters relating to his right to peaceful expression, at appeal proceedings in May 2016; is worried about what appears to be a further crackdown on political opposition and civil society in Bahrain, with the arrest of Nabeel Rajab, the President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and the departure of human rights defender Zainab Al Khawaja from the country after facing further threats from the government; deplores the continuing revocation of nationality of Bahraini citizens, rendering many of them stateless; fears that if the Government does not clearly and publicly express its disappointment and concern about these developments, the Bahraini government will continue further down the path of repression which could result in growing conflict, increasing radicalisation and, possibly, even further violence; and calls on the Government therefore to make a statement and to reconsider its technical co-operation programme with the Bahraini government.

This motion has been signed by a total of 37 MPs.