Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 13 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 September 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 September 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Iraqi (a) men and (b) women are held in United Kingdom-run prisoners in Iraq; and how many have been charged with a specific offence.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi (a) men and (b) women are held in United Kingdom-run prisoners in Iraq; and how many have been charged with a specific offence. [173998] Mr. Ingram: Up to the transition of authority on 28 June, British forces had the authority to intern people for imperative reasons of security in accordance with Article 78 of Geneva Convention IV. Since the 28 June, the authority to intern remains but it is in accordance with UNSCR 1546. In addition, British forces have the authority temporarily to detain people believed to have committed a crime under Iraqi law, who are then handed over to the Iraqi judicial system. It is the Iraqi authorities who are empowered to bring criminal charges. As at 18 July, 25 male internees were held at the Divisional Temporary Detention Facility, and no female internees.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 173998; 424 c714W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Detainees Gender Iraq Prosecutions Prisoners Peacekeeping operations
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk