Actions Taken Prior to the Setting Up of the Committee

1.         A letter asking for the release of these hostages and the return of their deported families was given to the Iraqi Ambassador in London in May 1980.  There was no reply.

 2         A letter was sent to Saddam Hussain, President of Iraq asking him to release the hostages and allow their deported families to return to Iraq.  There was no reply.

 3.        The Red Cross International was contacted on 9 occasions between 1980 and 1993, but failed to obtain any information on the hostages.

 4.        The President of the International Court of Justice was contacted in November 1984 and replied that action in support of these hostages must be initiated by an independent state or international organisation.

 5.        The President of the European Committee on Human Rights was contacted and replied that action can only be taken against parties to the European Convention, which does not include Iraq.

 6.        After correspondence with the Division of Human Rights of the United Nations, limited representations were made to the Iraqi authorities, but further action  could not be taken, as action can only be taken in support of UN resolutions. Mr van der Stoel, Special Rapporteur to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Iraq was contacted.

 7.        A booklet was published in August 1988

 8.        Copies of this booklet have been sent with personal letters to the diplomatic representatives of 102 countries (excluding Iraq) in London.  Only seven replies were received.

 9.        A number of political parties, trade and student unions and international and national humanitarian and religious organisations have been contacted and passed motions in support of the hostages.

 10.      The press and mass media have been contacted and information on the hostages has been published and broadcast

 11.      A full report on the situation of the hostages has been sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iraq.

 12.      Representations have been made to a number of politicians and other prominent individuals world-wide.

 13.      Former British detainees in Iraq and Lebanon and their relatives have been contacted.

 14.      Leaflets and other publicity material have been produced.