§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information his Department sought from the Government of Iraq and its representatives abroad concerning the(a) location of, (b) condition of and (c) justification for the retention of Kurdish prisoners in Iraq since April 1980; and if he will make a statement; [70432]
(2) what steps his Department has taken since 3 April 1991 to gain information on Kurdish prisoners in Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [70434]
(3) what his Department's strategy is to secure the release of Kurdish prisoners in Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [70430]
(4) what diplomatic steps his Department has taken since 1 May 1997 to ensure the release of Kurdish prisoners in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [70433]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UK does not have any diplomatic relations with the Government of Iraq. However, we are deeply concerned about reports, such as those documented by Andreas Mavrommatis, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iraq, of the maltreatment of prisoners by the Iraqi regime. We remain committed to doing what we can to bring about improvements in the human rights situation in Iraq, including the treatment of political opponents to the regime, and take every opportunity to raise this issue in international fora.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications his Department had with the Government of Iraq and its representatives abroad between April 1980 and 2 August 1990 concerning Kurdish prisoners in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [70431]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThis question could be answered comprehensively only by researching FCO files for the 10-year period in question. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.