Written question asked by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 July 1996. It was answered by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey (Conservative) on Monday, 22 July 1996.

Chalker of Wallasey, RtHonBaroness

Question: What reply they have received to their request that Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, should release the 40 hostages from the al-Sourchi tribe, originally detained on 16th June; when Mr Frank Baker from the British Embassy in Ankara will visit the village of Kilken; what reports they have received from United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross or non-governmental organisations personnel on the killing of members of the al-Sourchi tribe; and whether they consider that the perpetrators of these crimes are guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and would be liable to prosecution in the courts of other states.

Secondary information