Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Monday, 17 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 September 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what instructions were made available to interrogators and other soldiers involved in the handling of prisoners in Iraq from March 2003 onwards in order to prevent European Convention on Human Rights violations under Article 3 occurring through each of the five techniques identified by the Court in 1978.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions were made available to interrogators and other soldiers involved in the handling of prisoners in Iraq from March 2003 onwards in order to prevent European Convention on Human Rights violations under Article 3 occurring through each of the five techniques identified by the Court in 1978. [174551] Mr. Ingram: All UK armed forces personnel are instructed that Iraqi prisoners should be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, which include the prohibition of torture. Each major unit also has a number of personnel trained to a greater degree in prisoner handling. All UK interrogators must successfully complete a stringent course prior to undertaking any operational interrogations. During the course they are specifically instructed that individuals being questioned must, again, be treated at all times in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

Secondary information