HC Deb 09 January 2002 vol 377 cc925-6W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are taking to ensure that prisoners taken during the fighting in Afghanistan are protected from torture or death once they have surrendered. [24938]

Mr. Bradshaw

We have urged the new Afghan Interim Authority to treat humanely all those who are prisoners in their custody and to respect the principles of the Geneva Conventions.

The UN also appealed to the Afghan forces to treat surrendering forces in accordance with international humanitarian law. Security Council resolution 1378 (2001) calls on all Afghan forces to adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law. International Committee of the Red Cross staff returned to Afghanistan in mid-November, and have been allowed access to prisoners held by the Northern Alliance.