Iraq (Hansard, 7 March 1994)

§ Mr. Parry
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the United Nations concerning its sanctions of medical supplies and food to Iraq.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
Iraq is discussed regularly by the Security Council. We remain determined that Iraq must comply fully with all its international obligations as set out in Security Council resolutions.
Medicines have never been subject to sanctions, and food has been exempt since the passage of United Nations Security Council resolution 687 in April 1991.

§ Mr. Parry
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from hon. Members concerning sanctions on Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
I have received a number of letters from hon. Members about sanctions against Iraq. On 22 February the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) tabled an early-day motion about the effect of sanctions on the humanitarian situation in Iraq.
We do not believe that sanctions should be lifted until Iraq complies with all its international obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions.

§ Mr. Parry
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for the views of Her Majesty's Government regarding Iraqi treatment of the Kurds to be conveyed to the Government of Iraq.
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§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
United Kingdom representatives at the United Nations continue to press Iraq to respect the human rights of its population. We are co-sponsors of a resolution at the current session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which condemns Iraq's continued abuses of the human rights of all citizens, including the Kurds.
We, the United States, France and Russia made a demarche to Iraq on 5 January protesting against Iraqi behaviour including the blockade of the Kurdish area and the cutting off of electricity to Dohuk. The Security Council also took into account Iraq's repression of the civilian population when deciding on 18 January that there were no grounds to lift United Nations sanctions.