BAHRAIN
It contained
3. Mr Jones handed over a report on Bahrain.
disturbing evidence of a continuing pattern of torture and prolonged
incommunicado detention. Officials and equipment of British origin
were involved. He was surprised that the FCO had permitted the
export of white sound and strobe equipment destined for the Security
Forces. The Secretary of State queried this. Mr Jones said that
the information was not in the Report, but that he would write
separately with it. The Secretary of State concluded that we would see if we could take action.
MOROCCO
4.
Mr Jones then handed over a report on Morocco. It revealed a pattern of human rights violations. Especially disturbing were
fragmented but serious reports of the secret detention centre at
Tazmamert. Could the Secretary of State take this up.
SYRIA
But
5. Miss Cooper referred to Amnesty International's long standing
concerns about human rights abuse in Syria. There had been some
slight movement recently. She was aware of the EC discussions.
for example over 100 long term prisoners remained without trial.
The Secretary of State said that each country on
Amnesty International's list was harder than the last to influence.
It was not easy to get at the Syrians, though there had been some
movement. It was useful to have Amnesty International's analysis.
EGYPT
6. Mr Bull handed over a report on Egypt. In reply to the
Secretary of State's questions he confirmed that reports were
discussed with the Governments concerned, and published only after a
period of months during which careful cross checking took place.
TURKEY
Miss Cooper spoke of long standing concerns about Turkey.
have been some positive steps recently, such as the repeal of
7.
HRRAAB
There