CORONER'S COURT VERDICTS ON THE DEATHS OF TOM HURNDALL AND JAMES MILLER

Early day motion 1984, tabled 19 April 2006 by Richard Burden (Labour). Signed by 104 members.

That this House notes the English Coroner's Court verdicts of 6th and 10th April 2006 that the two British citizens, James Miller and Tom Hurndall, were `unlawfully killed' by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip even though they were `engaged in lawful activities'; further notes that the jury expressed its `dismay with the lack of co-operation from the Israeli authorities' in the Coroner's investigations of the Hurndall case and that the Coroner drew attention to `inaccurate, misleading and dishonest conclusions being drawn and published from flawed investigations' in the Miller case; pays tribute to the dignity and determination of both the Hurndall and Miller families in their long search for justice; calls on the UK Government to call for appropriate action by the Israeli authorities in the light of the verdicts, noting the Coroner's advice that the UK may itself have the power to initiate proceedings should Israel fail to do so; expresses grave concern over Israel's failure properly to investigate other cases of international civilians and large numbers of Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli forces; is further concerned by the apparent culture of impunity which too often accompanies the actions of Israeli forces in the Occupied Territories; and, in condemning acts of violence against both Palestinian and Israeli civilians, calls on the international community to urge Israel to comply with international law in the Occupied Territories including the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and to withdraw from all occupied territories.

Signatures by party: Labour 71, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 4, Scottish National Party 4, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.