Bahrain Mirror: The UK expressed concern over the recent developments in Bahrain, citing fears of an aftermath to dissolving the major opposition party in the country, Al-Wefaq Society, and the revocation of the Shiite majority spiritual leader, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim's citizenship.

In response to a parliamentary question, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Tobias Ellwood said, "We are concerned about the recent developments in Bahrain, and we have clearly responded in our public and private meetings."

Mr. Elwood had issued a statement on July 17, 2016, expressing his concerns regarding the Supreme Administrative Court decision to dissolve the Al-Wefaq Society, the leading political opposition party in Bahrain.

"We have issued other statements dated July 15 and 22, 2016, in which we expressed our concern about the nationality revocation of Bahraini religious scholar Sheikh Isa Qassim, the suspension of al-Wefaq, and the prevention of human rights activists from traveling to Geneva, and the re-arrest of Nabil Rajab", the UK parliamentary official further added.

"We are regularly discussing these fears and the Bahraini government's reform efforts," he added.

"I personally discussed this matter in Bahrain during a meeting that joined the joint working group between the UK and Bahrain on June 2, 2016," Ellwood further noted.

Arabic Version