Letter to the Parliamentary Relations
and Devolution Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from
the Second Clerk of the Committee, 13 October 2004
At its last meeting, the Committee discussed
the Government's Response to its Fourth Report of Session 2003-04,
Human Rights Annual Report 2003, Command Paper 6275. It subsequently
instructed me to write and seek further information on one of
the Committee's recommendations.
In paragraph 166 of the Committee's Report,
it recommended that:
"the Government make clear that actions
such as the torture of British national 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."
The Government's Response did not make clear
whether the British Government had explicitly stated to the Saudi
Government, or other foreign governments, that it would not accept
the torture of British nationals. It also failed to give an indication
of whether the Government would be willing to consider the threat
of retaliatory actions against countries who allowed the torture
of British nationals, if it were deemed necessary. On both of
these points, the Committee would appreciate some greater degree
of clarity and information from the Foreign Office.
A response not later than Monday 1 November
would be greatly appreciated.
Geoffrey Farrar
Second Clerk of the Committee
13 October 2004
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