Nine Iraqis to Receive Compensation for Sexual "Assaults and

Nine Iraqis to Receive Compensation for Sexual "Assaults and
Batteries" by British Soldiers

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/99032/

It is the second big payout by the British Army this year over
allegations of abuse.
Nine Iraqis who were assaulted and sexually abused by British soldiers
while being held at an army camp are to receive up to £1 million in
damages after the Ministry of Defense admitted liability.

It is the second big payout by the Army this year over allegations of
abuse in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Government lawyers agreed in July to pay almost £3 million in
compensation to the father of an Iraqi man, Baha Mousa, who died in
the custody of British troops in Basra, and to nine others who were
abused in a detention center in Basra in September 2003.

In the latest case, nine more Iraqis made allegations of "humiliating"
abuse after they were arrested by the 1st Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
in Operation Ali Baba, which was aimed at catching and deterring
looters who were stealing humanitarian aid from a British Army camp.

Four soldiers were convicted at courts martial in Germany 2005 of
offenses at Camp Breadbasket after photographs emerged of Iraqis being
abused, including being suspended in nets from a forklift truck, and
forced to adopt simulated sexual positions.

No one was charged in connection with forcing Iraqis to simulate sex
acts and give a thumbs-up for the camera, despite months of
investigation by the Royal Military Police.

The MoD admitted yesterday that unlawful "assaults and batteries" were
suffered by nine Iraqi men claiming damages for abuse by members of
the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in May 2003. Sapna Malik, a partner at
Leigh Day & Co solicitors who are representing the men in their claims
against the MoD, said: "It is good that the MoD has admitted that the
treatment received by each of the claimants was unlawful, although its
refusal to accept that Camp Breadbasket falls within the ambit of the
Human Rights Act is frustrating. The maltreatment of the men was
hideous, humiliating and degrading and the legacy lingers with them to
this day.

"We hope that the admission marks the MoD's willingness to resolve the
claims fairly so that the men can try to finally move forward with
their lives."

However, it is understood that the MoD has requested further details
of the abuse, including medical reports and witness statements before
making any payouts. The MoD has also denied that the Human Rights Act
or European Convention on Human Rights extended to the humanitarian
aid distribution center where the abuses occurred.

An MoD spokesman said: "This claim is currently subject to litigation
and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific
aspects of this case. The MoD settles compensation claims when there
is a legal liability to do so. Such liability does not exist during
the combat phase of an operation, but compensation is paid where it is
judged that UK armed forces have been negligent in causing injury or
damage post cessation of hostilities.

"Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast majority
have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behavior,
displaying integrity and selfless commitment."