EU court orders UK to investigate deaths of six Iraqi civilians

EU court orders UK to investigate deaths of six Iraqi civilians

2011-07-07 21:54:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

STRASBOURG, FRANCE (BNO NEWS) -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday unanimously required the United Kingdom to investigate the deaths of six Iraqi civilians killed in incidents involving British soldiers.

The civilians were killed in exceptional circumstances during the UK's operations to maintain security in al-Basrah, southeastern Iraq. The court ruled that British authorities did not conduct an independent and effective investigation.

According to evidence, three of the victims were shot dead or fatally wounded by British soldiers; one was shot and fatally wounded during an exchange of fire between a British patrol and unknown gunmen; one was beaten by British soldiers and then forced into a river, where he drowned; and one died at a British military base, with 93 injuries identified on his body.

The six Iraqi victims were: Hazim Al-Skeini, Muhammad Salim, Hannan Mahaibas Sadde Shmailawi, Waleed Sayay Muzban, Ahmed Jabbar Kareem Ali and Baha Mousa.

The UK alleged that the deaths fell within the applicable Rules of Engagement which stipulates that firearms must be used only as a last resort, to protect human life, and that a challenge had to be given before firing unless it would increase the risk of death or injury to those under threat.

Al-Skeini, 23, was shot dead in the Al-Majidiyah area of Basrah on August 4, 2003. He was shot by a soldier in command of a British patrol as he was considered a risk to the troops but he was only attending a funeral.

Salim was shot and fatally wounded by a British soldier shortly after midnight on November 6, 2003. British soldiers raided his residence and one of them shot him in his stomach without verbal warning. He died later in a hospital.

Shmailawi was killed on November 10, 2003, after being hit by machine-gunfire from outside the building where he lived with his family. They were having dinner when a British patrol engaged in a gunfight with armed gunmen.

Muzban, 43, was killed by a British soldier in the al-Maqaal area of Basrah. On August 24, 2003, he was shot while refusing to stop at a checkpoint and soldiers alleged they fired in self-defense.

Ali, a 15-year-old boy, died on May 8, 2003, after being arrested along three other youngsters by British soldiers for looting. They were allegedly beaten and forced into the Shatt Al-Arab River. He could not swim and drown.

Only four British soldiers were tried for manslaughter at a court martial held between September 2005 and May 2006, but three other soldiers suspected of involvement had gone absent without leave.

Mousa, 26, was the son of Colonel Daoud Mousa of the Basrah police force. He died in custody of the British Army, three days after having been arrested by soldiers on September 14, 2003. Relatives only received compensation payments amounting as high as $3,190 (£2,000).

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