Girl (8) among Iraqi civilians killed by UK troops: report

An eight-year-old girl is among a number of Iraqi civilians who have been killed in disputed circumstances by British forces in southern Iraq, an Amnesty International report has alleged.

According to today's report, 'Killings of Civilians in Basra and al-'Amara', a number of Iraqis have been shot and killed in situations where there was "no apparent threat to themselves or others". Follow up inquiries by UK-authorities into killings were also slammed as "secretive", with families given little or no information about their progress, according to Amnesty. The report also claimed that many cases of civilian killings by British soldiers have not even been investigated.

The administration of justice in British-controlled areas also came under fire as former Ba'athists, professionals, alcohol sellers and shopkeepers selling music and videos have reportedly been killed in political and 'moral' killings which have yet to lead to prosecutions, the human rights organisation claimed.

On the back of the report, Amnesty International has today called for a civilian-led investigation into all killings by UK armed forces, with the findings made public.

"Far from being liberated, the people of Iraq continue to live in fear and insecurity," Amnesty International said.

"Armed groups strike with seeming impunity. Killings by UK armed forces, in situations where they should not be using lethal force, are examined in secrecy and behind closed doors. Instead of the UK Armed Forces deciding whether to investigate themselves when people are killed, there must be a full, impartial and civilian-led investigation into all allegations of killings by UK troops."

The report is based on research carried out by Amnesty International delegates in February and March of this year. The organisation interviewed victims' families and eyewitnesses to the killings, Iraqi police officers and Coalition Provisional Authority officials responsible for law and order.

Among the cases included in the study was the killing of eight-year-old Hanan Saleh Matrud, reportedly shot by a soldier from B Company of the First Battalion of the King's Regiment in August 2003. An eyewitness told Amnesty International that Hanan was killed when a soldier aimed and fired a shot at her from around 60 metres away – conflicting with the army's claim that she may have been hit accidentally by a warning shot.

However, efforts by the UK and other governments to strengthen the Iraqi police force have been welcomed by the human rights organisation; but this must be matched by a willingness of the police to act in all cases of law-breaking, the group said.

(gmcg)