IK/161
23 December 1993
COMPENSATION COMMISSION TO EXAMINE MORE THAN 1,000 DEATH AND PERSONAL INJURY
CLAIMS FROM IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT
Payout of $3 Million to $5 Million Expected
In April, $100 Million to $200 Million in July 1994
The United Nations Compensation Commission established by Security
Council resolution 692 (1991) to review compensation claims resulting from
Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait, which began the process of resolving
those claims earlier this month, is expected to examine some 1,000 cases
relating to death and personal injury. The move is a major step towards
alleviating the condition of thousands of persons who suffered personal losses
during the Gulf war.
Carlos Alzamora, Executive Secretary of the Commission, announced that
the three-member panel of Commissioners has begun reviewing the claims. They
will be presented to the Governing Council of the Commission within 120 days
for approval. Mr. Alzamora said these would make the compensation operation
an irreversible reality and reaffirm the faith of millions of claimants all
over the world in the attainment of international justice within the framework
of United Nations-established organs.
The Commission has begun to resolve claims in less than two years since
they were filed. This process has responded to the mandate received from the
Security Council to render quick and effective justice to the millions of
victims of the invasion and occupation of Kuwait.
Claims are categorized as A, B and C for the individuals who fled from
Kuwait or Iraq as a result of the invasion, for those who suffered death or
serious injury, and for individual losses of property up to $100,000,
respectively.
Category B is the first being considered; it concerns the most sensitive
humanitarian cases -- deaths and serious physical and mental injuries. Upon
acceptance of their claims, individuals will receive $2,500, while families
will receive a maximum of $10,000.
(more)
- 2 - Press Release IK/161
23 December 1993
The majority of claims are from Kuwait and Jordan. However, category A
also includes claims from Australia, Bahrain, China, Czech Republic, France,
Iran, Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and the former Yugoslavia.
Categories A and C will be dealt with by panels that begin their work in
February 1994. Recommendations from these two panels will be presented to the
Governing Council in June 1994. The awards to be issued at that time will
cover some 50,000 claimants.
Claims are expected to result in a total payout of $3 million to $5
million in April 1994 and $100 million to $200 million in July 1994. For the
moment, the Commission has an amount of $29 million in both voluntary
contributions and frozen Iraqi funds held in the Compensation Fund.
The Panel of Commissioners currently considering the claims in category B
is headed by Mohammed Benouna of Morocco. Mr. Benouna is a professor of law,
a member of the International Law Commission and President of the Institut du
Monde Arabe in Paris. Other members of the Panel are Denise
Bindschedler-Robert (Switzerland), professor of international law and
President of the Institut des Droits de l'Homme at Strasbourg; and Fan Ping
(China), diplomat and expert in international humanitarian affairs and
compensation procedures.
The Commission has its seat in Geneva and operates as a subsidiary organ
of the Security Council. The Commission's Governing Council has the same
membership composition as the Security Council.
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