Responding to media reports of the death in custody of Briton Lee Bradley Brown, who was detained in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said:

“Police in Dubai have confirmed to Amnesty International that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is carrying out an investigation into this death in custody. We are told that if a police officer is found to have broken the law, he will face justice.

“Amnesty International welcomes this assurance. But we urge the UAE authorities to ensure that the investigation is full, thorough and independent. This is required whenever such deaths in custody occur and there are serious allegations of possible misconduct by the detaining authorities.

“The results of the investigation must be made public and the UAE authorities must ensure that anyone found responsible for torture or other unlawful action is promptly brought to justice.

“In recent years Amnesty International has received various reports alleging torture and other ill-treatment by police and security officials in the UAE. We look to the UAE authorities to uphold their responsibilities to ensure the humane treatment of anyone held in detention, and to hold to account any officials who commit abuses.”