UK Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt on Bahrain – staus quo tolerable but please no more bombings

Foreign Officer Minister meets Bahraini opposition
29 November, 2012

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt: “The UK will continue to engage with all sides and help wherever we can to bring about the peace and stability Bahrain deserve.”

Speaking today, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said: “I was pleased to speak with members from Al Wefaq and the National Unity Assembly this week.

“We discussed the current situation in Bahrain one year on from the Independent Commission of Inquiry’s report and our shared concern at the recent bombings. I reiterated the UK’s support for the Declaration of Non-Violence that was launched earlier this month by Al Wefaq and five other political societies. It is an important confidence-building measure and I encourage other leaders in Bahrain to declare publicly their support for this initiative. Violent protests are unacceptable and we condemn them unequivocally.

“We also discussed recent actions taken by the authorities, such as the ban on protests and the withdrawal of citizenship from 31 individuals. I made clear that the UK is concerned about such steps which undermine potential reconciliation and that the UK is urging the Government of Bahrain to do more to create the right environment for meaningful political dialogue. I therefore welcome the Government’s acceptance of a needs assessment team from the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights next week to discuss this alongside follow-up to the recent Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain by the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“The UK will continue to engage with all sides and help wherever we can to bring about the peace and stability Bahrain deserve.”
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