The lawmakers also approved the same punishment for torture to death, while reviewing amendments to the penal code law.
The amendments come after some police personnel were referred to courts in connection with the death of detainees.
Article 208 of the law states that a prison sentence shall be the penalty for every civil servant or officer entrusted with a public service who uses torture, force or threat, either personally or through a third party, against an accused person, witness or expert to force him to admit having committed a crime or give statements or information in respect thereof. The penalty shall be life imprisonment should the use of torture or force lead to death.
During deliberations, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowment Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said the law defines torture according to what was approved as the meaning of torture in international conventions.
