- UK troops have killed Iraqi civilians including an eight-year-old
girl when they were under no apparent threat, Amnesty International has
claimed.
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- In a report, the human rights organisation claimed in
"many" cases the deaths of civilians by the British military
had not been investigated.
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- Inquiries that have taken place have been "secretive"
and conducted by the Royal Military Police.
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- Amnesty is urging civilian-led probes into all alleged
killings by troops.
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- The report was put together in wake of visits to British-administered
Southern Iraq in February and March.
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- The document also highlights killing of former members
of Saddam Hussein's regime by vigilantes.
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- And it suggests that members of Iraq's Christian minority
had also been targeted.
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- Living in fear?
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- Amnesty's UK director, Kate Allen, said: "We are
told in the UK that southern Iraq is comparatively safe and secure. Yet
Iraqis on the ground have painted a very different picture.
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- "People live in fear of armed groups who can strike
with seeming impunity.
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- "Killings by UK forces, in situations where they
should not be using lethal force, are examined in secrecy and behind closed
doors.
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- "Instead of the army deciding whether to investigate
itself when civilians are killed, there must be a full, impartial and civilian-led
investigation into all allegations of killings by UK troops."
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- The report highlights the case of eight-year-old Hanan
Saleh Matrud who was apparently shot by a member of B Company of the 1st
Battalion of the King's Regiment last August.
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- 'Shooting in the air'
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- An eye-witness told researchers sent by Amnesty that
the girl was killed when a soldier aimed and shot from a distance of around
60 metres, and not accidentally hit by a warning shot as claimed by the
Army.
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- Another case highlighted in the report was that of fatal
shooting of Ghanem Kadhem Kati.
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- The 22-year-old was shot outside his front door as he
was celebrating a family wedding.
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- The military police are understood to be investigating
the case amid reports British troops, responding to the sound of bullets
being fired, shot at him despite being told by a neighbour the gunfire
was part of the wedding celebrations.
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- The report also raises issues relating to the compensation
for families of people who have been killed by UK troops.
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- Families were often offered no information on how to
lodge a compensation claim, Amnesty suggests.
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- And concerns are raised about the failure to stop vigilante
killings by armed groups. Attacks on alcohol traders had reportedly prompted
150 Christian families to flee Basra.
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- The report does welcome attempts by the British authorities
to strengthen the Iraqi police force.
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- Security
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- Ms Allen said: "Amnesty International calls on all
armed groups and individuals in Iraq to respect the right to life and cease
these killings immediately. The rule of law must prevail.
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- "If there is to be true security in Iraq, it is
essential that justice is done and is seen to be done."
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- The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the report
by Amnesty until it had been considered in detail.
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- A spokesman said: "Obviously, we take our obligations
under the Geneva Conventions and international law very seriously.
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- "There are a number of investigations into allegations
of mistreatment under way, but until we see the report we cannot really
comment in detail."
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- © BBC MMIV http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3701351.stm
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