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Foreign Office urges swift review of Bahraini convictions

The UK has welcomed the decision to review the cases of 21 prisoners convicted by military court in 2011, and has called for the courts to move this forward urgently.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

An FCO spokesperson said:

“We welcome the decision by the Bahraini Appeal Court to review the conviction of 21 activists in a civilian court, in line with the recommendations of the Independent Commission of Inquiry. We now urge the courts to move this forward urgently, with due process and transparency. We call for all other upheld convictions by the military courts to be reviewed without further delay.

“We remain very concerned about the welfare of Mr al-Khawaja following a sustained hunger strike. His health and wellbeing should be paramount and we continue to urge the Bahraini authorities to find an urgent, compassionate solution.”

Published 30 April 2012