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.
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.
|
