Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Eden of Winton (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 26 November 2008.

Iraq: Ashraf City

Question: My Lords, is the Minister aware of the rather ominous directive of the Iraqi Government of 17 June which called for the removal of US troops and their replacement with Iraqi forces, and for the expulsion of the PMOI residents in Ashraf City? Does he realise that expulsion in those circumstances would almost certainly mean execution? This is an extremely serious situation. Can he assure the House that he will keep a very close eye on developments and secure what guarantees he can from the Iraqi Government to avoid what would otherwise become a humanitarian catastrophe?

Answer: My Lords, as the noble Lord is aware, this is primarily a matter for the United States, to which this group surrendered at the time of the invasion in 2003. The US has sought clear understandings from the Iraqi authorities that there will be no such expulsions and that the group will be properly protected. The ICRC is content so far with the understandings received.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 705 c1437
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Armed forces Deportation Deployment Iraq Protection Peacekeeping operations Refugees Iran Mujahedin-e Khalq
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk