War in Iraq - Red Cross begins visits to POWs

And he called upon the Iraqi authorities, detaining coalition POWs to recognise their rights under the Geneva Conventions and permit visits by the Red Cross.

"The Red Cross' mandate under the Geneva Conventions is based on our universally recognised neutral and impartial work, which is in turn based on our Founding Principles.

"I am pleased to see that the rights of Prisoners Of War to visits by the Red Cross, as laid down by the Third Geneva Convention, are being upheld by coalition forces and I would urge those holding coalition prisoners to match this by allowing the Red Cross access to these coalition POWs," said the Irish Red Cross Chairman.

Today is the second day of a series of visits to Iraqi POWs who were captured by the coalition forces, by delegates from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC team consists of 15 delegates, including one doctor and six interpreters. Yesterday the team visited all parts of the camp, located in southern Iraq, and registered an initial group of prisoners. The visit is due to continue today and for a number of days henceforth.

Prisoners of war are protected by international humanitarian law. They must be treated humanely at all times. The Third Geneva Convention gives the ICRC access to all prisoners of war, wherever they are being held, so that the organization can monitor their treatment and conditions of detention. The ICRC will also be striving to re-establish contacts between the
prisoners and their relatives.

In line with its standard practice, the Red Cross will not comment publicly on treatment or conditions of detention, but will submit its findings to the detaining authorities with a view to achieving improvement if and when required.

The ICRC is actively pursuing its dialogue with the Iraqi authorities, with a view to gaining access to coalition soldiers captured by Iraq.

Ends.