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David Cameron meets King of Bahrain | |
(40 minutes later) | |
David Cameron has met the King of Bahrain in Downing Street amid calls for him to push for action on human rights abuses. | |
It will be the third time as prime minister he has met the king. | It will be the third time as prime minister he has met the king. |
When they met at the end of last year the PM pledged UK support to help implement reforms in the country. | When they met at the end of last year the PM pledged UK support to help implement reforms in the country. |
It followed international condemnation of the Bahrain government's response to the Arab Spring demonstrations in 2011. At least 40 people died in the unrest. | It followed international condemnation of the Bahrain government's response to the Arab Spring demonstrations in 2011. At least 40 people died in the unrest. |
An independent commission found that Bahraini police had used excessive force against anti-government protesters. | An independent commission found that Bahraini police had used excessive force against anti-government protesters. |
'Crystal clear' | 'Crystal clear' |
The Bahraini government pledged reform and King Hamad sought UK advice on changes to the police and judiciary. | The Bahraini government pledged reform and King Hamad sought UK advice on changes to the police and judiciary. |
However, since then Human Rights Watch has accused Bahrain's police of continuing to beat and torture detainees, including minors. | However, since then Human Rights Watch has accused Bahrain's police of continuing to beat and torture detainees, including minors. |
Amnesty International said reforms in recent months had been a "facade" and called on David Cameron "to make it crystal clear that the UK will not stand idly by while Bahrain proceeds to lock up its dissidents". | Amnesty International said reforms in recent months had been a "facade" and called on David Cameron "to make it crystal clear that the UK will not stand idly by while Bahrain proceeds to lock up its dissidents". |
A Downing Street source told BBC correspondent Nick Childs the meeting would be focused primarily on trade, but the pair would also discuss the situation in Syria. | A Downing Street source told BBC correspondent Nick Childs the meeting would be focused primarily on trade, but the pair would also discuss the situation in Syria. |
It is highly likely that they will talk about the fallout from the Arab Spring, the reform process and the political climate in Bahrain, our correspondent said. | It is highly likely that they will talk about the fallout from the Arab Spring, the reform process and the political climate in Bahrain, our correspondent said. |
Mohammed al-Tajir, a human rights lawyer and president of the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organisation, told BBC News the king and the Bahraini government had failed to implement most of the commission's recommendations. | Mohammed al-Tajir, a human rights lawyer and president of the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organisation, told BBC News the king and the Bahraini government had failed to implement most of the commission's recommendations. |
"Britain is a strong ally of Bahrain and these kinds of visits are normal," he said. | "Britain is a strong ally of Bahrain and these kinds of visits are normal," he said. |
"What is abnormal is to continue these kinds of visits without a change in the promises given by the king himself and the Bahraini government to change the miserable situation in Bahrain. | "What is abnormal is to continue these kinds of visits without a change in the promises given by the king himself and the Bahraini government to change the miserable situation in Bahrain. |
"While he (the king) is here in Britain I don't think the British prime minister is happy to have these kind of conversations... | "While he (the king) is here in Britain I don't think the British prime minister is happy to have these kind of conversations... |
"He should put pressure (on the king) to give an exact time when there will be a kind of reconciliation in Bahrain; when there will be a real dialogue and when there will be an end to official martial law in Bahrain - where there are more than 1,500 still in jail just for expressing their views and expressing their right to peaceful gathering." | "He should put pressure (on the king) to give an exact time when there will be a kind of reconciliation in Bahrain; when there will be a real dialogue and when there will be an end to official martial law in Bahrain - where there are more than 1,500 still in jail just for expressing their views and expressing their right to peaceful gathering." |
In April, the controversial Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix went ahead despite continuing anti-government protests. | In April, the controversial Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix went ahead despite continuing anti-government protests. |
Human rights campaigners also condemned the inclusion of King Hamad at a luncheon at Windsor Castle to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. | Human rights campaigners also condemned the inclusion of King Hamad at a luncheon at Windsor Castle to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. |