MANAMA: Bahrain has been praised for its ‘real efforts’ in the area of human rights by the UK government.

In its latest Human Rights and Democracy Report, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) outlined the steps taken by Bahrain as part of its reform programmes between April and September this year.

It states that the UK remains fully engaged with the Bahraini government on human rights issues, including through high-level ministerial meetings.

‘Although there are still significant issues to be addressed, there is evidence of real efforts being made in areas where human rights concerns remain,’ said the report.

‘On June 10, the UK, along with 45 other states, signed a joint statement on Bahrain at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, recognising the positive steps taken by the government of Bahrain in order to improve the human rights situation, but also highlighting remaining areas of concern.’

These areas of concern include police accountability and freedom of expression, the report noted.

However, it welcomed the first annual report of the Interior Ministry Ombudsman in May and the Prisoners’ and Detainees’ Rights Commission report in August.

‘Both reports made a number of recommendations to improve policing practices, prison conditions and the safeguarding of human rights, which we believe should be implemented promptly by the Interior Ministry,’ said the report.

‘We welcome evidence of Bahrain’s commitment to improving prison conditions with a new women’s jail now operational, and a new build programme commenced at Jaw facility.’

Also praised were a new law passed by parliament in June to give the National Institute of Human Rights (NIHR) the power to investigate violations, as was the NIHR’s first annual report and the government’s ‘increased engagement’ with the UN and international rights organisations.

‘We strongly support His Majesty King Hamad’s announcement on September 21 to hold parliamentary elections in November, as one of only a few countries in the region to do so, and have been actively encouraging all sides to engage in the process,’ it added.