§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Kuwaiti Government arising from the continuing prosecution of those alleged to have collaborated with the Iraqi invasion of that country and, in particular, juveniles under the age of 16 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have repeatedly stressed to the Kuwaiti authorities our hope that trials of detainees of war crimes or collaboration will follow due processes of law and respect the fundamental human rights of the defendants.
A 12-year-old boy detained at a juvenile detention centre accused of stealing was mistakenly brought before the martial law court on 5 June but released by the judge into the custody of his guardian without charge. We understand that there are no other juveniles in detention who will be brought before the martial law court: under Kuwait law no one under 15 years old can be prosecuted in an adult court.