LOC21:11
18:11 GMT
LONDON, March 27 (KUNA) -- The British Government will admit breaching the
human rights of Iraqi Baha Mousa who died while in British custody in Basra,
Britains Defence Secretary Des Browne said Thursday.
The UK Ministry of Defence will also admit breaching the rights of eight
other Iraqi men who have brought a civil case in the British courts, he told
MPs.
In a written statement, Browne said that in relation to the claim by
Mousa's family, the Government would admit "substantive breaches" of parts of
the European Convention on Human Rights which protect the right to life and
prohibit torture.
He said "acts of abuse" had been carried out by a "very small minority" of
British troops.
"I deeply regret the actions of a very small number of troops and I offer
my sincere apologies and sympathy to the family of Baha Mousa and the other
eight Iraqi detainees," he added.
"All but a handful of the over 120,000 British troops who have served in
Iraq have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behaviour,
displaying integrity and selfless commitment".
"But this does not excuse that during 2003 and 2004 a very small minority
committed acts of abuse and we condemn their actions".
He added "The Army has done a great deal since these cases to improve
procedures and training. But we are not complacent and continue to demand the
very highest standards of conduct from all our troops".
Mousa, 26, a hotel receptionist in Basra, was detained under suspicion of
being an insurgent.
Seven British soldiers faced the most expensive court martial in UK history
over the case, but all were eventually acquitted.
The case took more than three years of investigation and cost more than 20
million pounds. (end)
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