Britain urges Bahrain to implement reforms following inquiry

Dec 12, 2011, 17:59 GMT

London - Britain urged Bahrain on Monday to implement political reforms and strengthen respect for human rights after an inquiry last month found security forces had used excessive force against pro-democracy protests, a British government spokesman said.

His remarks followed a meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron and King Hamad Al-Khalifa in Downing Street.

An independent commission last month said Bahrain's security forces had used excessive force in a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, killing at least 40 in the Gulf state, whose minority Sunni monarchy rules the Shiite majority.

Al-Khalifa vowed to implement political reform and reconciliation with the opposition. His government said no one suspected of abuses against protesters would be immune from prosecution.

'Their discussions focused on the king's plans to implement reforms in the country, following on from the protests earlier this year and the report from the Independent Commission of Inquiry,' said the spokesman.

Cameron had urged the Bahraini ruler to 'deliver swiftly' on the commitments made to implement the recommendations from the inquiry, which accused the country's security forces of brutality and torture against opponents.

The spokesman said the two leaders also discussed the boosting of trade cooperation between the two countries and the opportunities for British business to invest in Bahrain, particularly in the infrastructure sector.

Read more about Bahrain