Brussels, 17/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign affairs ministers meeting on Monday under the chairmanship of Brian Cowen strongly condemned the abuse and degrading acts committed by members of the international coalition in Iraq against Iraqi prisoners. However, they did congratulate the commitment made by governments with troops in Iraq to bring the perpetrators to justice. They also condemned the assassination on Monday morning of the president of the Iraqi governing council, Abdul Zahra Othman Mohammad.
Here is the declaration adopted on Monday, "the Council condemned the assassination earlier today of the Chairman of the Iraqi Governing Council, Mr Abdul Zahra Othman Mohammad. The Council expressed concern that the current campaign of terrorist violence is leading to significant loss of life, particularly among civilians and is impeding the path to political progress and economic re-construction in Iraq. The Council condemned all violence and terrorist attacks, including the kidnappings and brutal murder of hostages, in particular the savage execution of Mr Nicholas berg. They deplore the taking of hostages in all circumstances and called on those to desist from any further such activity. The Council expressed its abhorrence at recent evidence of the mistreatment of prisoners in Iraqi prisons. The Council condemned any instances of abuse and degradation of prisoners in Iraq, which are contrary to international law, including the Geneva Conventions. The Council welcomed the commitment by the relevant governments to bring to justice any individuals responsible for such acts involving the abuse of Iraqi detainees, and their commitment to rectify any failure to adhere to international humanitarian law. The European Union continues to look forward to the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq to a transitional government at the end of June and to future national elections, with a vital and growing role for the UN endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. It fully supports the work carried out to this end by the UN Special Advisor, Mr Lakhdar Brahimi".