The Government presented the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill on 18 March 2020, thereby meeting its 100-day self imposed deadline. Second Reading has been scheduled for 23 September 2020. Aspects of the Bill are already generating controversy.
Documents to download
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Political reforms and human rights in Bahrain (186 KB, PDF)
The attempts by the Bahraini authorities to design a political system that airs grievances and allows some public input to government without leading to the fall of the monarchy have stalled.
The demonstrations of 2011 were put down aggressively by the authorities, with the help of Saudi Arabia, and the recommendations of the Bahrain International Committee of Inquiry into the events have not been implemented thoroughly.
In the context of increased sectarian tensions in the region and the stand-off between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran, the Bahraini government will probably continue to stifle Shiite dissent.
The UK has a long relationship with Bahrain and has recently cooperated on a new naval base there. Questions have been raised about the UK government licensing exports of military equipment to the country, in the light of the political unrest. British ministers say that they regularly raise human rights and democracy issues with their Bahraini counterparts.
Documents to download
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Political reforms and human rights in Bahrain (186 KB, PDF)
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A general debate on the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been scheduled for Thursday 24 September 2020 in the Main Chamber. This debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee.
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A general debate on the settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories has been scheduled for Thursday 24 September 2020 in the Main Chamber. This debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee.
