§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had regarding the plight of the Marsh Arabs; what discussions have taken place between his Department and the United Nations over their future; what efforts his Department are making over their continued security; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received numerous representations about events in southern Iraq.
We frequently raise the plight of the Marsh Arabs at the United Nations, most recently during the review of sanctions on 18 November. We drew the attention of the United Nations weapons inspectors to reports that chemical weapons were used against civilians. We support the call of the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights for the deployment of monitors in Iraq.
In addition, British aircraft are deployed over southern Iraq in support of United Nations Security Council resolution 688.