Bahrain Mirror: The British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood said that his country is closely following the political situation in Bahrain, including the Shia interests and their right to practice their rituals.

Answering a question raised by the Democratic Unionist MP Jim Shannon on Friday  (July 1, 2016), the British minister expressed his country's concerns by reports that the nationality of Bahraini Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim is being revoked, stressing that they've "raised these concerns at senior levels in the Bahraini government and publicly." "We strongly encourage Bahrain to live up to its international human rights obligations."

Ellwood replied to another question on whether Britain will make representations to the Government of Bahrain "on the protection of the rights of the Shia population in that country to manifest their religion through teaching, worship and observance" and said that Britain closely follows "the political situation in Bahrain, including Shia interests."

"We regularly discuss freedom of religion and belief with the Government of Bahrain, including at the highest levels, I did so most recently on 2 June when I met with the Bahraini Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary Mr. Hammond did so most recently with his Bahraini counterpart, Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa on 14 June 2016."

MP Jim Shannon also asked Mr. Ellwood if Britain will make representations to the Government of Bahrain "on the protection of the civil and political rights of the Shia population in that country."

Ellwood; however, reiterated his answer stating that they are following the political situation closely in Bahrain, including issues related to the country's Shia population, encouraging the Government of Bahrain "to respect the rights of political groups to operate and to seek an inclusive political dialogue."

MP Shannon further asked about the steps which Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken to engage the Bahraini monarchy to ensure that freedom of religion and belief is promoted and upheld.

Ellwood only noted that they regularly discuss freedom of religion and belief with the highest levels of the Government of Bahrain.

Arabic Version