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Cameron to discuss Bahrain crackdown with crown prince Bahrain crown prince visits Cameron amid criticism
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron is expected to raise Bahrain's violent crackdown on anti-government protests, when he meets the country's crown prince later. Bahrain's crown prince has gone to Downing Street to see David Cameron amid criticism of his country's human rights record.
Prince Salman bin Hammed Al Khalif's visit comes after he turned down an invitation to the royal wedding. Hundreds of people have been arrested and put on trial in special courts.
Revolts in the Middle East and north Africa, the stalled mid-east peace process and the situation in Bahrain are also expected to be discussed. Prince Salman bin Hammed Al Khalif's visit comes after he turned down an invitation to Prince William's wedding.
The prince's visit has been criticised by human rights campaigners. Revolts in the Middle East and north Africa, the stalled mid-east peace process and the situation in Bahrain were expected to be discussed.
Following the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, there were protests in Bahrain demanding greater freedom and rights, with some even calling for the overthrow of the monarchy.Following the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, there were protests in Bahrain demanding greater freedom and rights, with some even calling for the overthrow of the monarchy.
Bahrain's government was widely condemned for imposing a state of martial law and inviting troops from neighbouring Saudi Arabia to help put down protests against the ruling al-Khalifa dynasty.Bahrain's government was widely condemned for imposing a state of martial law and inviting troops from neighbouring Saudi Arabia to help put down protests against the ruling al-Khalifa dynasty.
State of emergencyState of emergency
Prince Salman's visit to London comes less than a month after he chose not to attend the wedding of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.Prince Salman's visit to London comes less than a month after he chose not to attend the wedding of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
He had said he did not want his country's unrest to "overshadow" the celebrations.He had said he did not want his country's unrest to "overshadow" the celebrations.
On 1 June the Gulf state is due to lift the state of emergency that was imposed in March following weeks of pro-democracy protests which resulted in the deaths of at least 29 people.On 1 June the Gulf state is due to lift the state of emergency that was imposed in March following weeks of pro-democracy protests which resulted in the deaths of at least 29 people.
Hundreds of people have been arrested and dozens put on trial in special courts.
Ahead of the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said Mr Cameron welcomed the chance to meet the prince to discuss developments in the Middle East.Ahead of the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said Mr Cameron welcomed the chance to meet the prince to discuss developments in the Middle East.
He said: "We said all along that the situation in different countries is different.He said: "We said all along that the situation in different countries is different.
'Torturer-in-chief'
"There are different circumstances and we need to reflect that. Clearly, in all cases we would support reform and dialogue.""There are different circumstances and we need to reflect that. Clearly, in all cases we would support reform and dialogue."
Former foreign minister Denis MacShane claimed Mr Cameron was "rolling out the red carpet for Bahrain's torturer-in-chief at Downing Street today".
He said: "We have well-documented reports of torture, including the torture of women doctors, killings, and even the Saudis sending tanks across to Bahrain to crush the protests in the time-honoured fashion of the Soviets in Prague or Budapest."
Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen said: "David Cameron should use this opportunity to make it absolutely clear that the Bahraini government must end its relentless crackdown on human rights.
"It's vital that the government doesn't overlook human rights abuse in Bahrain in any kind of effort to smooth the way to arms sales or trade more generally."
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said it was "a huge error of judgement" on the part of Mr Cameron to invite the crown prince to No 10.Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said it was "a huge error of judgement" on the part of Mr Cameron to invite the crown prince to No 10.
He added: "Britain should not be conducting business as usual with a tyranny that is guilty of gross human rights abuses.He added: "Britain should not be conducting business as usual with a tyranny that is guilty of gross human rights abuses.
"David Cameron should press the Bahraini authorities to lift the state of emergency immediately, halt the use of torture and release all political prisoners. Saudi Arabia and the UAE should be urged to withdraw their troops.""David Cameron should press the Bahraini authorities to lift the state of emergency immediately, halt the use of torture and release all political prisoners. Saudi Arabia and the UAE should be urged to withdraw their troops."