§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the number of UK citizens arrested in Afghanistan for alleged terrorist activity by (i) United Kingdom forces, (ii) United States forces and (iii) Afghan forces or paramilitaries, (b) their present whereabouts, (c) their identities and (d) their access to consular and legal representation. [26773]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are attempting to clarify the numbers and identify all who may be British nationals detained in Afghanistan. This may be a lengthy process because we have extremely limited consular facilities in Afghanistan.
No British nationals are being held by UK forces. There are three British nationals held by the United States forces in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US armed forces have also confirmed that they are holding others who may be British nationals in locations in Afghanistan.
We are seeking to verify reports of the number of possible British nationals who may have been detained by Afghan or local forces. We are aware of one British national who was detained by the Northern Alliance and are seeking information on his current whereabouts.
In line with normal consular practice, we do not intend to release the identities of those detained.
We are seeking access to all alleged British detainees. British officials have visited the three detainees at Guantanamo Bay from 17 to 20 January and have 30W confirmed that they are all in good physical health and have no complaints about ill treatment. We have told the US authorities that we expect them to ensure that the detainees are treated in accordance with international standards, including those applicable to trial.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been detained by(a) United States, (b) United Front and (c) other local forces in Afghanistan; and where they are now being held. [27227]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are attempting to clarify the numbers and identify all who may be British nationals being detained in Afghanistan. This may be a lengthy process because we have extremely limited consular facilities in Afghanistan.
As I said in my statement on 21 January there are currently three British detainees at the Guantanamo Bay base.
We are seeking to verify reports of the number of possible British nationals who may have been detained by Afghan or local forces. We are aware of one British national who was detained by the Northern Alliance during the civil war, and are seeking information on his current whereabouts.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK is being consulted about the handling of prisoners in custody in Afghanistan. [27835]
31W
§ Mr. BradshawWe have not been consulted about the handling of prisoners in Afghanistan. We believe that all detainees in Afghanistan, as elsewhere, should be treated humanely and in accordance with international standards. We are seeking access to all alleged British detainees.
§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information British troops in Afghanistan have gathered on the fate of the women of Kabul who were taken by the fleeing Taliban forces. [28236]
§ Mr. BradshawBritish troops in Afghanistan are there as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Their mission is to assist the Afghan Interim Administration in achieving security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. However, the British embassy in Kabul have been investigating these reports and have so far been unable to substantiate them.
We work closely with the UNHCR in Pakistan, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Special Mission to Afghanistan on all matters of humanitarian concern, including the appalling treatment of women under the Taliban. We have also raised a range of women's issues with Dr. Sima Sumar, the Interim Administration's Vice Chair responsible for Women's Affairs.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2002,Official Report,column 132W on Afghanistan, if he will make a statement on the problems the ICRC face in gaining access to detainees held at Bagram airport and those being held in a place of detention in Kabul. [30699]
§ Peter HainThe ICRC obtained access to the detainees in Kabul on 13 January, although this information was not to hand at the time of the earlier answer.
On 22 January the ICRC obtained access to the detainees at Bagram airport.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) centres at which prisoners from the conflict are being held in Afghanistan and (b) nationalities of those who are being detained; if he will specify how many are being held there; and if the ICRC is being allowed into every centre to see all prisoners. [30664]
§ Mr. BradshawThe UK is not holding any detainees. Information on the location and nationality of detainees is a matter for the US and Afghan authorities. We understand that ICRC is being allowed access to prisoners in Afghanistan.