Written question asked by Graham Allen (Labour) on Thursday, 19 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 June 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 30 June 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, how many Iraqis have been tried in proceedings initiated or authorised by the British occupation authorities for offences committed (a) before and (b) after the occupation of Iraq; and what legislative procedures have been used in these trials.

Answer: Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqis have been tried in proceedings initiated or authorised by the British occupation authorities for offences committed (a) before and (b) after the occupation of Iraq; and what legislative procedures have been used in these trials. [121483] Mr. Rammell: The applicable law is the law that applied in Iraq on 16 April 2003 (in accordance with Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Regulation No. 1), subject to modifications and amendments made by the CPA. On 9 June 2003 the CPA issued an Order amending the Iraqi Penal Code to ensure compliance with basic international legal obligations. No Iraqis have been tried in proceedings initiated or authorised by the British occupation authorities for offences committed before the occupation of Iraq. I will write to my hon. Friend when the information becomes available regarding the number of Iraqis tried by the Iraqi court authorities.

Secondary information