Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 July 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Thursday, 10 July 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will meet the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq to discuss the fate of the disappeared in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq to discuss the fate of the disappeared in Iraq. [123692] Mr. Rammell: The Coalition Provisional Authority is leading efforts to identify missing persons throughout Iraq, stemming from the brutal policies of imprisonment and execution under Saddam Hussein. We have already conducted an assessment with the International Commission on Missing Persons, and are working to facilitate the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross and local organisations to create an overall comprehensive database and approach to missing persons. This will include strengthening the capacity of local organisations to feed into this process and provide counselling and community support. I would suggest that the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq write to my officials in the Iraq Policy Unit in the first instance.

Secondary information