At-a-glance: Amnesty Iraq report

Some of the deaths happened during demonstrations

Here are the main points from an Amnesty report into the killing of civilians by British troops in Iraq.

The report accuses the military of not properly investigating allegations that civilians were killed unnecessarily and not compensating their familes or keeping them informed.

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British troops have been involved in the deaths of 37 civilians since 1 May 2003, Amnesty says.

Only half of these are being fully investigated by the armed forces.

The most tragic case in the report was that of eight-year-old girl Hanan Saleh Matrud, alleged by her family to have been killed by British soldiers who had been stoned by mobs. No investigation was made.

More than a year after the occupation of Iraq, citizens are still being killed unlawfully every day by Coalition forces Amnesty International Amnesty report in full (516K)

Amnesty highlights the case of Hassan Hameed Naser, killed as he walked near a demonstration where stones were being thrown at a British armoured vehicle. No investigation was made.

A 42-year-old man was killed after his minibus swerved suspiciously at a checkpoint, although it is alleged he did not speak English or understand the order to stop. An investigation has been started.

Army's silence

Hilal Finjan Salman, licensed to carry a rifle in his job as a school guard, was allegedly killed by British troops as he tried to prevent a mob storming his girls' school. He had not been issued with a luminous jacket by the coalition, which would have shown he was allowed to carry a gun. No investigation was launched.

Amnesty is concerned the decision to refer cases of civilian killings for investigation lies entirely with the commanding officers of units.

Amnesty requested meetings with both the Commander Legal attached to the British forces in Iraq and also with the Royal Military Police themselves, but were refused and referred to the Ministry of Defence.

The group said the process of investigating deaths was extremely secretive and noted that the armed forces minister had refused to name the units responsible for detaining six Iraqis who later died in custody.

Amnesty said it did not believe the RMP was able to investigate killings, based on its poor record.

Compensation problems

The families of those killed were not kept informed about progress in investigations, or sometimes even told an investigation had started, the group said.

And Amnesty said families were often not fully informed about how to apply for compensation, or were told incorrect information.

Dozens or even hundreds of civilians have been killed by armed groups and individuals since the start of the occupation, with many vigilante-style assassinations of suspected Baathists taking place in busy streets in broad daylight.

Iraqis appear to have no confidence that the British Army or the Iraqi police could protect them from these attacks or punish the culprits.

The Iraqi police seem unable or unwilling to launch serious investigations into the killings of Baathists.