Historic Judgment on British Army in Iraq

Strasbourg judge: “Those who export war ought to see to the parallel export of guarantees against the atrocities of war”

7 July 2011 - The highest court in Europe – the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights – has this morning handed down one of its most important judgments ever, involving the alleged ill-treatment and unlawful killing of Iraqi citizens by UK Armed Forces. See the European Court’s official press release (attached to this email). Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), which represents the Applicants in the case as well as hundreds of other Iraqi civilians, welcomed the judgment.

The immediate ramifications for the Ministry of Defence are highly significant. The Court’s ruling means that a whole host of Iraqi victims, previously prevented from accessing justice, are now finally to seek redress for their abuse. For the first time, they will be able to go to the High Court in London and force Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for Defence, to order a public inquiry into the actions of British soldiers in their cases. The cases the MoD now must face include the following: read more>>>