HC Deb 09 June 2004 vol 422 cc419-20W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has given to British forces in Iraq to ensure that they (a) fully abide by international law enforcement standards and (b) only use force in line with the principles of necessity and proportionality. [166935]

Mr. Ingram

Training on those aspects of international humanitarian law relevant to law enforcement activities undertaken during operations is provided to personnel on entering the armed forces and refined as appropriate during courses given subsequently in the course of their careers. There are no agreed international law enforcement standards applicable to military forces, but the practices adopted by UK military personnel in Iraq are consistent with the UN Basic Principles for the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

All use of force is governed by UK Forces' Rules Of Engagement (ROE). The ROE take into account the UK's obligations under national and international law of which necessity and proportionality are fundamental principles.