5 Treatment of British Nationals imprisoned
abroad
107. In our last Human Rights Report we commented
on the detentions of Westerners in Saudi Arabia, and concluded
that "the Government's judgment in cases involving British
nationals overseas is open to serious question". We went
on to recommend that
the Government make clear that actions such as
the torture of British nationals by the Saudi authorities—or
by any other country—are unacceptable. We further recommend
the threat of retaliatory actions, preferably in concert with
our European Union allies, if such abuses occur in the future.[136]
108. In response to this recommendation, the Government
replied that
The welfare of UK nationals abroad is of paramount
concern. We take all allegations of torture or ill-treatment seriously
and would, as appropriate, raise our concerns with the relevant
authorities. We may also request that a prompt, impartial investigation
be carried out into the allegations. All representations are made
at the appropriate level according to the circumstances of the
case.[137]
We were, therefore, surprised that, when we questioned
the Minister this year, and followed up our questions in writing,
it appeared that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had not asked
the Saudi authorities to investigate the allegations of mistreatment
of British detainees, at the time of those detentions.[138]
The Minister did, however, explain that "the focus of our
efforts was to secure the release of the detainees…and…we
expended enormous diplomatic efforts in that regard at the highest
level within government to the lowest level within government".[139]
109. We also described the detentions in Egypt of
three British nationals, Ian Nisbet, Reza Pankhurst, and Maajid
Nawaz, who have been given sentences of varying lengths for allegedly
having links to an Islamic organisation banned in Egypt. Twenty-three
Egyptians were imprisoned alongside the Britons. Bill Rammell
advised us that the Government had requested a full investigation
into the allegations against the men, which had not yet been granted.[140]
110. These cases raise a more general concern about
how the Government deals with the detention and possible abuse
of British nationals by foreign governments. Amnesty told us "there
are times when probably Amnesty would be arguing for a more public
approach to some of these issues at a stage earlier than the UK
Government might be comfortable with".[141]
111. Bill Rammell advised us that, when attempting
to secure the release of nationals from detention, there are very
delicate judgements to be made about the best approach, but that
"we take these cases seriously and consider any mistreatment
of British detainees wholly unacceptable". On the specific
measures taken, he advised us that the Government makes requests
of foreign governments for investigations into allegations of
mistreatment where appropriate, but that "we have no control
over the quality of these investigations, and often the authorities
in the country concerned will automatically deny any wrongdoing".
As for the use of sanctions to bring pressure to bear on such
cases, the UK "has not used targeted sanctions on the basis
of the mistreatment of its nationals" as such arguments "are
unlikely to have the sufficient force in multilateral institutions
to create a sanctions regime". [142]
112. We conclude
that the Government should ensure that it is understood by other
governments that the mistreatment of British nationals is unacceptable
and will be met with appropriate actions.
136 Foreign Affairs Committee, Fourth Report of Session
2003-04, Human Rights Annual Report 2003, HC 389, para
166 Back
137
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Fourth Report from the Foreign
Affairs Committee Session 2003-04 Annual Report on Human Rights
2003: Response of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs, Cm 6275, July 2004, p 26 Back
138
Q 130, Ev 73 Back
139
Q 130 Back
140
Qq 125--127 Back
141
Q 51 Back
142
Ev 74 Back
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