Dossier of Iraq war crimes by UK forces and politicians goes to ICC

The ICC has been urged to investigate the alleged war crimes of UK politicians during the Iraq conflict. A dossier detailing reports of sexual assault, torture and mock executions carried out by British soldiers in Iraq has been submitted to the Court.

The 250-page document entitled “The Responsibility of UK Officials for War Crimes Involving Systematic Detainee Abuse in Iraq from 2003-2008”, published by the German-based European Centre for Constitutional Human Rights, calls for "opening of an investigation” into the actions of senior British officials during the conflict.

The document compiles testimonies from over 400 Iraqis, constituting “thousands of allegations of mistreatment amounting to war crimes of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.” Among the documented crimes are brutal acts of physical abuse, including “hooding prisoners, electric shocks, burning, sexual assault, cultural and religious humiliation, rape and simulated executions.”