That this House warmly welcomes the Kurdistan Emergency Appeal launched by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) UK representation, the Kurdish community and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region; notes that the appeal for funds and goods, such as blankets, has been necessitated by the presence in Kurdistan, whose population is normally five million people, of about 1.5 million refugees and internally displaced people, most of whom arrived with nothing to their name; recognises that the KRG has sought urgently to provide shelter but this has been stymied by an Iraqi federal government decision this year to cut budget payments to the region, UN funding shortfalls and bureaucracy; is concerned that deaths will result from the coming cold winter and rains; and commends the appeal as allowing the British public and the Kurdish diaspora once again to contribute directly to relieving the plight of those escaping from the so-called Islamic State.

That this House warmly welcomes the Kurdistan Emergency Appeal launched by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) UK representation, the Kurdish community and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region; notes that the appeal for funds and goods, such as blankets, has been necessitated by the presence in Kurdistan, whose...

That this House believes that Iran's theocratic regime is the source of the spread of terrorism and barbaric extremism in Iraq and region; concurs with the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance Maryam Rajavi's advice that the UK should urge the ending of the Iranian theocratic regime meddling in the affairs of Iraq, Syria and other countries in the region, the formation of a democratic, inclusive, secular government in Iraq and the organisation of free and fair elections under the auspices of international organisations; further believes that the rejection of Iran's intervention by the new Iraqi government is vital for the promotion of democracy in that country and that a good indication of this is the way it treats Ashraf residents now at Camp Liberty near Baghdad; and urges the government of Iraq to lift the current inhumane siege on the camp, recognising this camp as a UN refugee camp and guarantee the safety, security and the rights of its residents.

That this House believes that Iran's theocratic regime is the source of the spread of terrorism and barbaric extremism in Iraq and region; concurs with the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance Maryam Rajavi's advice that the UK should urge the ending of the Iranian theocratic regime meddling in the affairs...

That this House is extremely concerned about the genocidal campaign being waged against minorities in Iraq by the Islamic State (IS) and notes with alarm the evidence recently collected by Amnesty International about IS's brutal campaign to obliterate all trace of non-Arabs and non-Sunni Muslims that has turned the area into blood-soaked killing fields; is shocked by the barbaric treatment of Yazidi and other ethnic and religious minority women kidnapped by IS, particularly reports of women being reportedly gang-raped and sold into sexual slavery; calls on the Government and the international community to take further measures to help secure the release of those held by IS and to assist those at imminent risk of being captured and those facing extreme hardship in refugee camps in Iraq and Syria, including offering to resettle the most vulnerable; and further calls on the Government and the international community to assist in collecting and preserving evidence of these atrocities so that the perpetrators can ultimately be brought to justice.

That this House is extremely concerned about the genocidal campaign being waged against minorities in Iraq by the Islamic State (IS) and notes with alarm the evidence recently collected by Amnesty International about IS's brutal campaign to obliterate all trace of non-Arabs and non-Sunni Muslims that has turned the area...

That this House welcomes the powerful appeal by the UK Kurdish Genocide Task Force, a group that includes legal and academic experts and hon. Members, for signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention and Member States of the United Nations to act to end, prosecute and punish acts of genocide and crimes against humanity against Yezidi Kurds, Assyrian Christians, Shabaks and Kakayis committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS); endorses the need for a fact-finding commission of experts to collect eye-witness evidence and prepare a timely record to establish whether the prima facie evidence justifies the international recognition of the above-mentioned acts as genocide and/or crimes against humanity and prosecution of those responsible; notes that the Kurdistan Regional Government is willing to share all evidence in its possession and to provide all assistance within its capability to such a fact-finding commission; believes that the United Nations Security Council should pass a resolution referring the acts committed by ISIS as a new situation to the International Criminal Court; further notes that the international law principle of the Responsibility to Protect obliges individual states and the international community to take effective measures to prevent the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity, if necessary by appropriate military intervention or support of the local forces combating ISIS; and urges the Government to join with others in pursuing these matters with alacrity.

That this House welcomes the powerful appeal by the UK Kurdish Genocide Task Force, a group that includes legal and academic experts and hon. Members, for signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention and Member States of the United Nations to act to end, prosecute and punish acts of genocide and...

That this House deeply regrets the delayed publication of the Iraq Inquiry report which has deprived the victims of the Iraq conflict of their right to hear the inquiry's conclusions on the conduct of those who demanded their sacrifice and deprived the UK Parliament and people, at a time of renewed turmoil in Iraq and crisis in the Middle East, of its assessment of the lessons learnt; notes that the delay is attributable to official demands that the inquiry censor the evidence it wished to cite in support of its conclusions; considers that such censorship was unnecessary given that the inquiry's task was to report to the Prime Minister of the day; therefore urges the inquiry to submit a full and uncensored report to the Prime Minister to be used as the basis for the Maxwellisation process for those criticised; and calls on the Prime Minister to assume his responsibility for arranging presentation of the report to Parliament and publication before the end of 2014.

That this House deeply regrets the delayed publication of the Iraq Inquiry report which has deprived the victims of the Iraq conflict of their right to hear the inquiry's conclusions on the conduct of those who demanded their sacrifice and deprived the UK Parliament and people, at a time of...

That this House calls for publication in full of the Chilcot Inquiry report to give closure to the loved ones of the 179 UK fallen soldiers, to inform serving soldiers that Parliament's decisions on warfare are founded on rigorous examinations of evidence and to reveal to hon. Members the full truth on the evidence for Parliament's decision to join America's war on Iraq in 2003; and believes that an expurgated version of the report would create an impression of an establishment cover-up by politicians and civil servants to protect their reputations.

That this House calls for publication in full of the Chilcot Inquiry report to give closure to the loved ones of the 179 UK fallen soldiers, to inform serving soldiers that Parliament's decisions on warfare are founded on rigorous examinations of evidence and to reveal to hon. Members the full...

That this House recalls that it was 11 years ago on 20 March 2003 that the first missiles hit Baghdad, signalling what was dubbed shock and awe, the start of the US-led attack on Iraq in which the UK participated; further recalls that the premise on which the war was launched was that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, based in large part on false dossiers produced by the then Government; notes that there were no weapons of mass destruction as the Iraqi government said at the time and as independent witnesses had verified; believes that this House and the British public were gravely and deliberately misled; mourns the thousands of men, women and children who died as a result of these falsehoods; and concludes that this was the greatest British foreign policy disaster in living memory.

That this House recalls that it was 11 years ago on 20 March 2003 that the first missiles hit Baghdad, signalling what was dubbed shock and awe, the start of the US-led attack on Iraq in which the UK participated; further recalls that the premise on which the war was...

That this House recalls with repugnance the biggest single chemical weapons attack on civilians which was inflicted by the forces of Saddam Hussein on the town of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan on 16 March 1988; further recalls that 5,000 men, women and children died immediately and many more thousands of people died later or were permanently injured, physically and psychologically; believes that this attack was part of a long-running policy of genocide against the Kurds of Iraq; and further believes that, in the absence of any likely national or international judicial process after so many years, the Government should follow the example of the House which, on 28 February 2013, formally recognised this action as genocide.

That this House recalls with repugnance the biggest single chemical weapons attack on civilians which was inflicted by the forces of Saddam Hussein on the town of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan on 16 March 1988; further recalls that 5,000 men, women and children died immediately and many more thousands of...

That this House is aware of the plight of the 3,000 residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq who have been promised United Nations protection but who instead regularly face violence, assaults, physical torture and intimidation; understands also that the Iraqi authority frequently denies relatives visas to visit their loved ones; and urges the UK Government to inform the controlling regime that such behaviour is neither acceptable nor in the spirit of freedom, justice or democracy.

That this House is aware of the plight of the 3,000 residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq who have been promised United Nations protection but who instead regularly face violence, assaults, physical torture and intimidation; understands also that the Iraqi authority frequently denies relatives visas to visit their loved ones;...

That this House warmly welcomes the historic news that the Kurdistan region of Iraq and its neighbour, Turkey have concluded a comprehensive agreement to build oil and gas pipelines to ship the autonomous region's rich hydrocarbon reserves to world markets; believes that this could allow the Kurdistan region to export two million barrels per day of oil to world markets and at least 10 billion cubic metres per year of gas to Turkey in a move that will increase the security and diversity of energy supplies; recognises that this represents a triumph of diplomacy based on hard-headed self-interest between two places which were once at loggerheads; hopes that it can underpin a successful peace process between Turkey and its Kurds; and rejects the unreasonable fear that economic independence for the Kurdistan region of Iraq will lead to the disintegration of Iraq, because the country as a whole will gain from the success of the Kurdistan region, oil will remain the property of the people of Iraq and the proceeds of energy sales will be shared by all according to a much needed and robust revenue sharing formula and a fully-functioning federal system, as outlined in the Iraqi constitution which was approved by the people of Iraq in 2005.

That this House warmly welcomes the historic news that the Kurdistan region of Iraq and its neighbour, Turkey have concluded a comprehensive agreement to build oil and gas pipelines to ship the autonomous region's rich hydrocarbon reserves to world markets; believes that this could allow the Kurdistan region to export...

That this House is aware of the tragic events that took place in Camp Ashraf in the early morning of 1 September 2013, when an armed raid led by Iraqi forces who needlessly slaughtered at least 52 persons and kidnapped a number of other people who remain hostages; condemns unreservedly the actions which led to these deaths, with many of the deceased appearing to have died of gunshot wounds, the majority of which were to the head and upper body and several with their hands tied; reminds the Iraqi government of its human rights responsibilities and that those killed and taken were protected persons under the terms of the Geneva Convention; and demands the safe release of those held and an immediate and full inquiry into these actions.

That this House is aware of the tragic events that took place in Camp Ashraf in the early morning of 1 September 2013, when an armed raid led by Iraqi forces who needlessly slaughtered at least 52 persons and kidnapped a number of other people who remain hostages; condemns unreservedly...

That this House warmly welcomes the historic resolution of 28 February 2013 to unanimously recognise the Kurdish genocide; further welcomes the constructive responses to the mood of the House by both the Foreign Office Minister and his Opposition counterpart in agreeing to work together and with Kurdistan regional government representatives to try to overcome legal obstacles and find a suitable pathway for recognition by the Government; believes that the debate showed Parliament at its best with compassion, honesty and compromise; and hopes that these discussions can allow the Government, which is deeply respected in the Kurdistan region, to help lead the way in bringing comfort and justice to its people whose lives and society remain deeply affected by the genocide, which will be marked in many places, including by British parliamentarians in the Kurdistan region itself, on the anniversary of the chemical bombardment of Halabja on 16 March 2013.

That this House warmly welcomes the historic resolution of 28 February 2013 to unanimously recognise the Kurdish genocide; further welcomes the constructive responses to the mood of the House by both the Foreign Office Minister and his Opposition counterpart in agreeing to work together and with Kurdistan regional government representatives...

That this House notes that 15 February 2013 marks 10 years since the largest ever political demonstration in UK history, with between one and two million people marching in London against the then-imminent Iraq war; further notes that anti-war protests involving many millions of people took place that day across the world; deeply regrets that the war went ahead and that the will of the people was ignored; and believes that any decision to engage in armed conflict should be subject to prior approval via a free vote by Parliament rather than relying on prerogative power.

That this House notes that 15 February 2013 marks 10 years since the largest ever political demonstration in UK history, with between one and two million people marching in London against the then-imminent Iraq war; further notes that anti-war protests involving many millions of people took place that day across...

That this House warmly congratulates the Iraqi Association on its 25th anniversary; notes that the Association, which became a charity in 1990, was established in response to the need by the Iraqi community, whatever their race, ethnic origin, language, religious or political background, to create an identity in Britain, spread awareness of its achievements and needs and to encourage and develop viable humanitarian projects in Iraq; and wishes the Association well in the future for the sake of the many Iraqis in this country and for relations between Iraq and the UK.

That this House warmly congratulates the Iraqi Association on its 25th anniversary; notes that the Association, which became a charity in 1990, was established in response to the need by the Iraqi community, whatever their race, ethnic origin, language, religious or political background, to create an identity in Britain, spread...

That this House notes that the British Army maintains depleted uranium (DU) munitions within its arsenal and that 1.9 tonnes of DU rounds were fired by UK forces during Operation Telic in Iraq; recognises continuing media reports of increased rates of certain cancers and congenital malformations in Iraq; acknowledges that the UN Environment Programme has repeatedly called for a precautionary approach to DU use after field investigations in the Balkans and Iraq; recalls that the British Royal Society and World Health Organisation both recommend precautionary measures to reduce post-conflict DU risks; recalls the Government's policy on radioactive discharges which considers that the unnecessary introduction of radioactivity into the environment is undesirable; further notes that precautionary guidelines are in place for British troops to reduce their likelihood of DU exposure and that DU is not used in live firing training on British soil; and calls on the Government to support the resolution to be put before the UN General Assembly this autumn calling on states to take a precautionary approach to the use of DU.

That this House notes that the British Army maintains depleted uranium (DU) munitions within its arsenal and that 1.9 tonnes of DU rounds were fired by UK forces during Operation Telic in Iraq; recognises continuing media reports of increased rates of certain cancers and congenital malformations in Iraq; acknowledges that...

That this House acknowledges the important role that non-governmental organisations (NGOs)can play; notes that one of the most high-profile NGOs, Human Rights Watch, released a report, Iraqi Kurdistan: Growing Effort to Silence Media, on 24 May 2011 which claimed that the Kurdistan Regional Government seems no more respectful of Kurdish rights to free speech than the government that preceded it; believes that this is an unjust allegation, given that the preceding government in Kurdistan was headed by Saddam Hussein who directed a campaign of genocide against the Kurds and brooked no dissent from the media or anyone else; further believes that while such hyperbole may attract headlines, it diminishes the credibility of Human Rights Watch and does nothing to contribute to the serious debate about how to protect journalists in Kurdistan through the rule of law, improved media rights, an emphasis on professional journalism and encouraging transparency, all of which are ably supported by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the Independent Kurdish Media Centre and other international NGOs; and further believes that Human Rights Watch should engage more seriously with all those who are seeking to further improve the media in Kurdistan.

That this House acknowledges the important role that non-governmental organisations (NGOs)can play; notes that one of the most high-profile NGOs, Human Rights Watch, released a report, Iraqi Kurdistan: Growing Effort to Silence Media, on 24 May 2011 which claimed that the Kurdistan Regional Government seems no more respectful of Kurdish...

That this House notes with sadness the passing of Brian Haw, whose protest camp in Parliament Square, initially against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and then all wars, has stood for a decade and resisted all legal and political challenges to its existence; supports the principles behind the protest camp and regards its existence as a formidable example of the possibilities for peaceful dissent at a time when civil liberties are being eroded and military power is being employed over negotiated peace; further notes Mr Haw's relentless discipline in ensuring that he be seen by hon. Members going about their business every day as a constant reminder of the consequences of their decisions for the lives of thousands of innocent people and subsequent generations; further notes the political inspiration that he was to so many, with his handcrafted placards about the innocent lives lost as a result of war; trusts that his inspiration lives on as an influence to those in Parliament who make the decisions, and to the public whose role it is to hold decisionmakers in Parliament to account so that they might work toward bringing about peace in their time; and calls for a fitting permanent memorial to be established in Parliament.

That this House notes with sadness the passing of Brian Haw, whose protest camp in Parliament Square, initially against the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and then all wars, has stood for a decade and resisted all legal and political challenges to its existence; supports the principles behind the protest camp...

That this House notes the recent visit by the Archbishop of Erbil Bashar Warda to Parliament as a guest of the All-Party Parliamentary group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq as part of his first visit to the UK hosted by the charity Aid to the Church in Need; further notes his assessment that, in response to violent attacks from 2003, many Iraqi Christians from Baghdad and Mosul have fled to Iraqi Kurdistan, where they have been welcomed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has established an emergency programme to handle the sudden influx and where there is no religious persecution of Christians; endorses his view that the KRG requires help from the federal government in Baghdad for specific projects and infrastructure for these Iraqi citizens; understands that Kurdistan Regional President Barzani is also seeking wider international support for his government's efforts to protect Christians; and respectfully urges the Iraqi federal government to discuss this asa matter of urgency with the KRG in order to help preserve the position of Christians in Iraq.

That this House notes the recent visit by the Archbishop of Erbil Bashar Warda to Parliament as a guest of the All-Party Parliamentary group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq as part of his first visit to the UK hosted by the charity Aid to the Church in Need; further...

That this House notes that March 2011 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Anfal Genocide in Iraqi Kurdistan, including the massacre by chemical weapons of 5,000 people in Halabja on 16 March 1988; recognises and condemns the systematic slaughter of the Kurds by the Ba'athist regime under Saddam Hussein; regrets that almost 200,000 people were murdered and 4,500 villages destroyed; applauds the Iraqi Parliament and the Canadian Parliament for recognising these acts as genocide; and supports greater international recognition of the Anfal campaign as genocide.

That this House notes that March 2011 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Anfal Genocide in Iraqi Kurdistan, including the massacre by chemical weapons of 5,000 people in Halabja on 16 March 1988; recognises and condemns the systematic slaughter of the Kurds by the Ba'athist regime under Saddam Hussein; regrets...