§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have about the spread of cholera, typhoid fever, polio and other infectious diseases among over 500,000 inhabitants of the marshes of southern Iraq, accelerated by water diversions, military attacks and food shortages; whether it is true that the population living south of Al-Anfal (3) River has been ordered to move elsewhere; and what progress is being made in securing compliance with UN Resolution 688.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe are aware of reports of the spread of water-borne diseases in the area of the southern marshes of Iraq as a result of the increased pollution of the waters there. We are also aware of reports of forced repatriation of some of the population of the area in the so-called Anfal (3) operation, although we have no independent verification of these reports. We have consistently called on the Iraqi Government to comply with the terms of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions including 688. There can be no question of lifting the sanctions regime against Iraq until it complies fully with all its international obligations. Regrettably, it shows no signs of doing so.