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Iraq
Passed at Brighton Conference, September 2002.
Conference:
1. Unreservedly condemns the appalling human rights record of the Iraqi regime and notes the human rights failings of other regimes in the Middle East.
2. Is committed to a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and calls upon the UN to put pressure on all states in the Middle East to abandon WMD programmes.
3. Notes that existing United Nations Security Council resolutions placing obligations on Iraq to respect human rights, and eliminate its chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons capabilities, in particular resolution 660 (1990), 687 (1991) and 1284 (1999) remain unfulfilled.
4. Believes that the priority of the United Nations Security Council and all of its members should be to achieve the return of the weapons inspectors to Iraq.
5. Notes Iraq's stated willingness to readmit UN inspectors unconditionally, urges it to do so without delay and without placing any obstacle in the way of the inspectors and to fulfil all its obligations under relevant UN resolutions.
6. Welcomes the publication of the Assessment of the British Government of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction as a carefully presented catalogue of Iraq's WMD capabilities, but believes that the dossier does not constitute evidence of immediate threat and therefore is not justification for precipitate military action.
7. Calls on the UK Government to participate in military action against Iraq only as a last resort and if:
a) Iraq's agreement to the return of weapons inspectors without conditions has been violated by the Iraqi Government or shown to be deceptive.
b) Clear and incontrovertible evidence has been presented to the international community and public that Iraq has the capability to deliver weapons of mass destruction and is likely to use them.
c) Such evidence has been placed before Parliament with full and intensive debate and that Parliament continues to monitor the situation and has authorised any action through its votes.
d) New UN resolutions are in place providing a clear mandate, or action is taken in accordance with international law.
e) Full consultation has taken place with our European partners, if possible to achieve a unified European position.
f) Military action is designed to avoid as far as possible civilian casualties. Conference further believes that military action should not be taken without careful consideration of the consequences for international stability and security including the impact on the Middle East peace process; and that clear and coherent plans be in place, and the necessary resources committed, for its aftermath.