TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 22

BAHRAIN

CONFIDENTIAL

Report by HM Embassy, Bahrain

Right No.

(i)

At present detainees number 12 out of a population of 250,000.

The power of detention is used inter- mittently, eg on the dissolution of National Assembly in 1975, since when most detainees have been released. There is a Right of Appeal with legal representation to the Supreme Court.

Rating suggested by Post

2

(ii)

Police methods can be rough but torture is not condoned.

(iii)

Slavery does not exist.

O

(iv)

There is informal censorship.

2

(v)

Senior judges are all members of the ruling family and in political cases their impartiality must be suspect.

5

(vi)

(vii)

Trade unions are not permitted, but joint councils with full negotiating rights may be formed in enterprises.

There is complete freedom of emigration.

3

0

CONFIDENTIAL