Iraq: Civilians killed by UK Armed Forces and armed groups
UK Armed Forces in Iraq have shot and killed Iraqi civilians, including an eight-year-old girl and a guest at a wedding
celebration, in situations where there was no apparent threat to themselves or others, says a new report from Amnesty
International.
(View the full report online at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaceD6aa6KKKbb0hPub/ )
The report also details political and so-called 'moral' killings in the UK-administered south, by armed groups and
individuals: former Ba'athists, professionals, alcohol sellers and shopkeepers selling music and videos have reportedly
been killed, yet no prosecutions have been brought.
Many cases of civilian killings by UK Armed Forces have not even been investigated. Investigations by the Royal Military
Police (RMP) have been secretive, with families given little or no information about their progress. Amnesty
International is calling for a civilian-led investigation into all killings by UK Armed Forces, with the findings made
public.
"Far from being liberated, the people of Iraq continue to live in fear and insecurity," Amnesty International said.
"Armed groups strike with seeming impunity. Killings by UK armed forces, in situations where they should not be using
lethal force, are examined in secrecy and behind closed doors. Instead of the UK Armed Forces deciding whether to
investigate themselves when people are killed, there must be a full, impartial and civilian-led investigation into all
allegations of killings by UK troops."
The report, Killings of Civilians in Basra and al-'Amara, is based on research carried out by Amnesty International
delegates in February and March of this year. The organization interviewed families of the deceased and eyewitnesses to
the killings, Iraqi police officers and Coalition Provisional Authority officials responsible for law and order.
It details numerous killings by UK armed forces and armed groups. One such case is that of eight-year-old Hanan Saleh
Matrud, reportedly shot by a soldier from B Company of the First Battalion of the King's Regiment in August 2003. An
eyewitness disputes the UK army's claim that she may have been hit accidentally by a warning shot. He told Amnesty
International that Hanan was killed when a soldier aimed and fired a shot at her from around 60 metres away.
In January this year Ghanem Kadhem Kati' a 22-year-old unarmed man, was reportedly shot in the back outside his front
door while celebrating a family wedding. UK soldiers -- responding to the sound of bullets fired into the air in
celebration -- fired five shots at him from 50 yards away, despite reportedly being told by a neighbour not to fire and
that the earlier shots were in celebration. An RMP investigation is ongoing, but relatives have not been informed about
the procedures for claiming compensation.
Families are frequently given no information on how to lodge a compensation claim for the killing of their relatives. In
some cases they are given wrong information, including that responsibility for compensation would rest with a new Iraqi
government. The Area Claims Officer, to whom claims must be submitted, is situated in an area difficult to access for
ordinary civilians (Basra airport) and there is little explanatory information provided on the claims process in English
or in Arabic. As a result, people interviewed had little confidence in the compensation system.
The report reveals killings of people, mainly Christians, involved in the alcohol trade. Licensed liquor sellers have
been killed and their stores closed down. Sources report that around 150 Christian families have fled Basra. On 15
February 2004 a gang of 13 masked men opened fire with machine guns in the main street, in an area where alcohol was
frequently sold, killing at least nine people.
"All armed groups and individuals in Iraq must respect the right to life and cease these killings immediately. The rule
of law must prevail," Amnesty International said. "If there is to be true security in Iraq, it is essential that justice
be done."
Amnesty International welcomes efforts by the UK and other governments to strengthen the capacity of the Iraqi police
force. Yet this must be matched by a willingness of the police to act in all cases of law-breaking. Not a single
prosecution has been brought for 'political' killings and some police officers told Amnesty International that they felt
the killing of former Ba'athists was justified.
View the full report online at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaceD6aa6KKKbb0hPub/
Read the open letter to President George W. Bush on the question of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaceD6aa6KKLbb0hPub/
People come first - Protect Human Rights: Iraq Crisis home page at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaceD6aa6KKMbb0hPub/