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U.K. admits rights breaches in Iraq

London: In an embarrassing turn-around, the British government has admitted “substantial breaches” of the European Convention on Human Rights over the treatment of Iraqi civilians held by its soldiers resulting in the death of a hotel worker in Basra in 2003.

The u-turn, announced by Defence Secretary Des Browne, follows a prolonged legal battle which culminated in the Law Lords rejecting the government claim that the human rights convention did not apply to British troops serving abroad.

The move means that the government would have to pay substantial compensation to those who claim to have been tortured or ill-treated by British soldiers.

Media reports indicated that compensation to the family of the hotel worker Baha Mousa, who died in British custody allegedly as a result of torture, could be in the region of £1 million.

Mousa and eight others were arrested after a raid on a hotel in September 2003 on suspicion of militant activity. Mousa had 93 injuries on his body when he died, and at a court martial last year the Ministry of Defence admitted that he was tortured over 36 hours. It also admitted that eight others were ill-treated.

All are claiming compensation.

Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth apologised to the family of Mousa and to other Iraqi victims of torture by British troops.

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