§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Afghan prisoners in Shebarghan prison are being held under the Geneva Convention. [59408]
§ Mr. BradshawIt has not yet been possible to verify whether or not the prisoners in Shebarghan prison are being held in accordance with the Geneva Convention. However, we remain concerned about the reported conditions in which prisoners are being held in certain parts of Afghanistan.
Security considerations have so far prevented our Embassy staff in Kabul from visiting these prisons. But they are in frequent contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which closely monitors the situation and welfare of all prisoners in Afghanistan.
We have made clear to the Afghan Interim Administration that we expect them to respect their international obligations, including treating their prisoners in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on Afghan prisoners held at Shebarghan being sold back to their families. [59407]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are concerned about reports that some prisoners previously held in Sheberghan have been ransomed.
Security considerations have so far prevented our Embassy staff in Kabul from visiting these prisons. But they are in frequent contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which closely monitors the situation and welfare of all prisoners in Afghanistan.
Throughout the conflict last autumn, we urged the Northern Alliance to respect the tenets of the Geneva Conventions and to treat humanely all those who surrendered and were taken prisoner. Since then, we have made clear to the Afghan Interim Administration that we expect them to respect their international obligations, including to treat their prisoners humanely.