Mr. Ian Richter: Imprisonment in Iraq (Hansard, 4 June 1991)

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)
My Lords, we have raised our concerns about the human rights aspects of Mr. Richter's initial detention and trial on many occasions directly with the Iraqi Government. Since we now have no diplomatic presence in Iraq we have asked the ICRC and the Russians to visit Mr. Richter regularly to ensure his needs are met. They have agreed to do so. We will continue to give Mr. Richter's case high priority and raise the matter in whatever forum is appropriate.

§ Lord Chalfont
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Most people recognise that the Government are being as vigorous as it lies within their power to be in the steps they are taking. However, is the Minister aware that Mr. Richter has now been in prison on dubious charges for something like five years? Is he further aware that there is a great feeling in this country at the moment that, after the extremely successful prosecution of the war against Iraq, the country is now being left, both in the case of the Kurdish dissidents and, at the other end of the scale, in the case of Mr. Ian Richter, to the tender mercies of Saddam Hussein? Are the Government content with that state of affairs?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I dispute the suggestion that we have done nothing in Iraq since the end of the war. As the noble Lord will know, it was my right honourable friend the Prime Minister's initiative to set up the Kurdish safe havens. That has been a most successful operation.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, can the noble Earl confirm the report that Sir David Hannay has written to the sanctions sub-committee of the United Nations linking the release of Mr. Richter with the 537 possible lifting of sanctions? If that is the case, does the noble Earl think that the sub-committee will accept the linkage?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, as I said in my original Answer, we are in touch through every appropriate means. The noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition is right to draw attention specifically to Security Council Resolution 687 which calls for the lifting of sanctions on imports to Iraq to be considered in the light of the policies and practices of the Iraqi Government. We shall certainly be drawing the attention of the Security Council to Mr. Richter's case in that context.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl for going into detail on the matter. However, he did not reply specifically to my question about our representative at the United Nations, Sir David Hannay. Has Sir David been in touch with the sanctions sub-committee to make a proposal that there should be a linkage between our attitude to sanctions and the release of Mr. Richter?

The Earl of Caithness
Yes, my Lords.

§ Lord Mellish
My Lords, does the Minister understand that the general public are absolutely bewildered that Saddam Hussein is able to get away with what appears to be monstrous behaviour? He has left behind a Kuwait that is still burning, devastation of the most appalling order and thousands of Kurds have been killed. But he is still there, gaining the applause of his people. Are the Government doing anything about the situation?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I understand the noble Lord's interest in the matter. However, I think that his questions are slightly wide of the one that appears on the Order Paper. Nevertheless, if he would like to table a Question I am sure that it would lead to a most interesting debate.

§ Lord Annan
My Lords, can the Government do anything to strengthen the backbone of the Secretary General of the United Nations who on every occasion appears to drag his feet on the matter?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, that, too, is another Question.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, is the Minister aware that any form of trial or imprisonment in Iraq under the regime of Saddam Hussein is a grave offence as regards human rights? Is he also aware that not only Ian Richter but also many other people are now suffering from appalling abuse caused by a man who stole another country, started a war and now seems to be getting away with everything? Is he further aware that we should now make specific representations to the United Nations so that all these matters can be taken into account and the power of Saddam Hussein is not reduced but is ultimately abolished?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we are certainly, under the Security Council resolutions, drawing such questions to the attention of all our partners in the 538 United Nations. I am sure that that covers the point I made earlier about the policies and practices of the Iraqi Government.

§ Baroness Macleod of Borve
My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister have any knowledge—if he has, perhaps he can give us some figures —about any British people who are still missing in Iraq in the Turkish border area?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am afraid that I do not have any figures because that, too, is another Question.

§ Lord Wynford
My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister aware of the swiftly worsening conditions in Abu Ghrail desert prison due to the approach of the hot weather? Will he make urgent representations to his right honourable friend the Secretary of State about this state of affairs and the health risk involved to this man, who has now been in prison in such conditions with a very poor diet for almost exactly five years? Further, will my noble friend seek agreement from the Secretary of State that an envoy be sent to Baghdad to put forward representations to the Iraqis to make it absolutely clear that they are responsible for the life of this frail man?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, my noble friend certainly draws attention to one important aspect of imprisonment in Iraq; namely, the difference in the climate during the hot weather which is now approaching. I can reassure him that we have made consistent representations to the Iraqi Government both before the war and subsequently through other fora. Indeed, the noble Lord, Lord Chalfont, pointed out just how much the Government have done. However, I am not sure that sending an envoy to Iraq is the best way to secure the release of Mr. Richter. It may be better to continue the process through the United Nations.

§ Viscount Mountgarret
My Lords, can we not send in the SAS and get him out?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I note with interest the suggestion made by my noble friend.

§ Lord Chalfont
My Lords, is the Minister aware that there was no implied criticism of Her Majesty's Government in my Question? Both Mrs. Richter and I know that the Government have been directing all their efforts to securing the release of Mr. Richter. My Question is directed to the possibility that Her Majesty's Government might address themselves rather more forcefully to the situation which exists in Iraq as a whole. I believe that I am in danger of repeating myself when I say that there is a great feeling in the country that the war has left Saddam Hussein in a position where he can continue his abuses of human rights almost without let or hindrance.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I fully understand the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Chalfont, both in his first Question and that which he has just put to me. However, I should tell the House again that this matter will be discussed in the Security Council under the heading of Resolution 687.