To ask Her Majesty's Government how they have ensured that the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief maintains total independence following the government of Bahrain's funding of his trip to that country between 8 and 10 October 2019.
Answered on
20 January 2020
The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) visited Bahrain on 8-10 October 2019, marking his first official trip in the role. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office covered the cost of his flights while the Government of Bahrain provided his accommodation, as they regularly do for visiting dignitaries. We do not consider that this compromised his independence in his role as Special Envoy. Throughout his visit he met religious leaders and visited places of worship and meeting halls from the range of different faiths represented in Bahrain to discuss FoRB.