Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take following the recent death of Hasan Al-Shaikh in Bahrain as a result of alleged police torture; and how the use of torture in Bahrain will change his policy towards that country.

The British Ambassador to Bahrain has publicly raised the UK’s concern about the death of Hasan al-Shaikh at Bahrain’s Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre. A Special Investigation Unit report led to six members of staff, including three high ranking officers, appearing before the High Criminal Court on 25 November to answer charges of assaulting and torturing four men, including Al Shaikh. All six defendents pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until 22 December. The UK Government stands firmly against torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment, and we continue to work closely with the Government of Bahrain to share best practice on torture prevention measures.