UK forces in Iraq have shot and killed Iraqi civilians, including an eight-year-old girl and a guest at a wedding celebration, in situations where there was no apparent threat to themselves or others, said a new report from Amnesty International, published on Tuesday.
The report also detailed political and so-called "moral" killings in the UK-administered south, by armed groups and individuals: former Ba'athists, professionals, alcohol sellers and shopkeepers selling music and videos have reportedly been killed, yet no prosecutions have been brought.
Many cases of civilian killings by UK Forces have not even been investigated. Investigations by the Royal Military Police (RMP) have been secretive, with families given little or no information about their progress.
"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, Killings of Civilians in Basra and al-'Amara, is based on research carried out by Amnesty International delegates in February and March of this year. The organization interviewed families of the deceased and eyewitnesses to the killings, Iraqi police officers and "Coalition Provisional Authority" officials responsible for law and order.
It detailed numerous killings by UK armed forces and armed groups. One such case is that 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 disputes the UK army's claim that she may have been hit accidentally by a warning shot. He told Amnesty International that Hanan was killed when a soldier aimed and fired a shot at her from around 60 meters away.
In January this year, Ghanem Kadhem Kati' a 22-year-old unarmed man, was reportedly shot in the back outside his front door while celebrating a family wedding. UK soldiers -- responding to the sound of bullets fired into the air in celebration -- fired five shots at him from 50 yards away, despite reportedly being told by a neighbour not to fire and that the earlier shots were in celebration.
Families are frequently given no information on how to lodge a compensation claim for the killing of their relatives. In some cases they are given wrong information, including that responsibility for compensation would rest with a new Iraqi government. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
