(CNN) A cross-party group of British lawmakers and lawyers is seeking access to detained female activists whom Human Rights Watch says may have been tortured and sexually harassed while in prison in Saudi Arabia.

The group has convened a panel to investigate the claims and produce testimony on the findings at the request of an anonymous Saudi citizen. A November report by the rights group alleged that those detained were flogged and given electric shocks. They were reportedly detained "for their role in the right to drive campaign and for advocating other freedoms," according to Human Rights Watch.

UK Conservative Member of Parliament Crispin Blunt formally handed the request to speak with the detainees to the Saudi envoy to the United Kingdom, Prince Mohammed bin Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz, on Tuesday

"There are credible concerns that the conditions in which the Saudi women activists are being detained may have fallen significantly short of both international and Saudi Arabia's own standards. We make this request to the Saudi authorities so that we can assess for ourselves the conditions in which the Saudi women activists have been and are being detained today," Blunt said Tuesday.

"No person should be subjected to the type of treatment that has allegedly been inflicted upon these women activists while in detention. The implications of activists being detained and tortured for exercising their freedom of speech and conducting peaceful campaigns is concerning for all individuals seeking to exercise their human rights in Saudi Arabia."

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