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Written question asked by Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 15 June 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 June 2022. It was answered by Leo Docherty (Conservative) on Friday, 24 June 2022 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Middle East: Military Operations

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the Government has paid in compensation for civilian harm since 2001 in respect of (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Syria.

Answer

In respect of Afghanistan, both the compensation and claimants' legal fees paid by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for unlawful detention and mistreatment claims by Afghan nationals are subject to a confidentiality undertaking between the MOD and the claimants' solicitors and we are unable to disclose the information at this time.

In respect of Iraq, the MOD has previously disclosed that £19.66 million was paid in compensation to an early tranche of claims by Iraqi nationals alleging unlawful detention and mistreatment. Further similar claims and the claimants' legal costs are subject to a confidentiality undertaking and we are unable to disclose the information at this time.

The MOD's legal and administration costs of dealing with these claims are not centrally recorded.

In respect of Syria, no claims have been received.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18983
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Compensation Civilians Iraq Afghanistan Syria Military operations
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk