Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Chemical Weapons Investigation: Northern Iraq

Tuesday 8 November 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government aware of reports that Turkish forces used white phosphorus in northern Iraq but lacks direct evidence to confirm claims.
  • Honourable member questioned designation of PKK as a terrorist organisation, suggesting it shields Turkey from human rights scrutiny.
  • Minister reaffirmed PKK's status as a proscribed terrorist organisation and asserted Turkey's right to defend itself against PKK terrorism.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Reports suggest Turkish forces may have used white phosphorus in northern Iraq, raising concerns about compliance with the chemical weapons convention.

Question

If his Department will refer allegations of the use of chemical weapons by Turkey in northern Iraq to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for investigation.

Answer from Leo Docherty

The Government are aware of reports that Turkish forces have used white phosphorus in northern Iraq. However, we have no direct evidence to support those claims. Of course, we take all allegations of this nature seriously, and we are committed to upholding the chemical weapons convention.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request for referral to OPCW was not addressed

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Q2 Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside
Foreign Affairs
Context

A Turkish CHP opposition MP faces prosecution for terrorism after asking about alleged use of chemical weapons. This raises questions about Turkey's human rights abuses against Kurds.

Question

Does the Minister agree that it is time to revisit our designation of the PKK as a terrorist organisation and that not doing so gives cover to Turkey's human rights abuses?

Answer from Leo Docherty

The hon. Lady mentions the PKK. We should be very clear that we regard the PKK to be a terrorist organisation—that is why we have proscribed it—and that we believe Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself against this form of terrorism.

Answered
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Q3 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

A Turkish CHP MP was indicted for terrorism after questioning alleged chemical weapons use by Turkish forces. The Minister is asked to consider the impact of PKK designation on regional stability.

Question

Does the Minister not recognise that the overreach of the PKK terrorist definition is shutting down democracy in Turkey and hurting our allies in Syria, Turkey and Iraq?

Answer from Leo Docherty

As I have said, we have no direct evidence to support the allegations to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but we are of course committed to upholding the chemical weapons convention. I myself met the director general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons last month, and we will keep these issues under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact on democracy and allies not addressed

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