On 7 January 2013, a Bahrain court of cassation upheld the convictions against 13 individuals, including life sentences, for their involvement in anti-government protests in 2011. Three of those convicted - including Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja - are EU citizens. The repression has continued over the last year with the imprisonment of prominent activists and human rights defenders such as Nabeel Rajab, Zainab Al-Khawaja, and Naji Fateel. In January, the European Parliament called on you to work together with EU member states to actively push for the release of the imprisoned activists prior to the EU-GCC ministerial meeting. Since this resolution was adopted it's unclear what, if anything, has been done by the EU to secure the release of those detailed. I note the fact that the High Representative has not explicitly called for the release of those wrongfully imprisoned.

In view of your forthcoming trip to Bahrain for the EU-GCC ministerial meeting taking place on June 30th can the High Representative answer the following:

What precise efforts have you made over the past six months to implement European Parliament's call for you to push for the release of those who have been imprisoned solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly in Bahrain?

Will you commit today to do all in your power, in coordination with the 27 EU Member States, to secure the release of those wrongfully imprisoned in Bahrain including through publicly calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all the activists and human rights defenders in Bahrain prior to the EU-GCC meeting?