IRAQI DEATH IN BRITISH CUSTODY

Early day motion 404, tabled 13 January 2004 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 21 members.

That this House notes the report of Robert Fisk of The Independent on Sunday on 4th January, based on military and medical records, describing the assault by British soldiers on eight young Iraqis arrested in Basra, one so badly that he subsequently died in British custody; notes that the body of the dead man, Baha Mousa, was returned to his family covered in bruises and with his nose broken and that apparently British military authorities offered 8,000 dollars to the family provided the military were not held responsible for the death; condemns these intolerable acts by British soldiers; demands that those imprisoned are kept safe and free from torture; and calls for an immediate, impartial and independent investigation to be set up with the full co-operation of the military required.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.