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Bahrain crown prince visits Cameron amid criticism David Cameron urges Bahrain crown prince on reform
(about 9 hours later)
Bahrain's crown prince has gone to Downing Street to see David Cameron amid criticism of his country's human rights record. Prime Minister David Cameron has urged the Crown Prince of Bahrain to embrace "reform rather than repression" in response to pro-democracy protests.
Hundreds of people have been arrested and put on trial in special courts. Mr Cameron made the appeal during a visit to Number 10 by Prince Salman bin Hammed Al Khalif.
Prince Salman bin Hammed Al Khalif's visit comes after he turned down an invitation to Prince William's wedding. Hundreds of people have been arrested and put on trial in special courts in a crackdown on demonstrators in Bahrain.
Revolts in the Middle East and north Africa, the stalled mid-east peace process and the situation in Bahrain were expected to be discussed. Downing Street said Mr Cameron and the crown prince discussed both Bahrain and the rest of the Middle East.
A Downing Street spokesman was quoted as saying: "Bahrain has been seeking to reform their political system in a number of ways, and that is something we welcome." A spokesman said: "The prime minister raised concerns about the situation in Bahrain and stressed the importance of the government moving to a policy of reform rather than repression. That all sides should address their grievances through genuine and constructive dialogue.
Asked what was different between the situations in Libya and Bahrain, he said: "There are different circumstances and we need to reflect that. Clearly, in all cases we would support reform and dialogue." "The prime minister emphasised his support for the crown prince's long-standing work to achieve political and economic progress in Bahrain, and said that Britain would back efforts to normalise the situation and return Bahrain to a credible long-term process of reform."
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. State of emergency
Following the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, there were protests in Bahrain demanding greater freedom and rights, with some 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.
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.
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.
'Torturer-in-chief' Former foreign minister Denis MacShane claimed Mr Cameron was "rolling out the red carpet for Bahrain's torturer-in-chief at Downing Street".
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."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."
'Rights abuse'
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.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.""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."
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.