This type of incident illustrates the vast moral gulf between the civilized western countries and thug regimes like Iran. We value human life, unlike the islamofacists. The Iranians are well aware that Blair will be under enormous pressure to do or say anything to get these hostages back, notwithstanding that they were soldiers operating in a war zone.
There is a clear distinction between soldiers in uniform operating under a chain of command and terrorists. Comparisons to Abu Ghraib are not relevant because of this distinction. By parading these hostages, forcing confessions from them, etc, Iran has engaged in serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and should be held accountable, if they are even signatories. I'm not holding my breath. The UN and International Criminal Court are only interested in prosecuting western politicians like the former Serbian leaders or our own President. Cuba, China, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia and Iran have nothing to fear. Their appalling human rights violations go unnoticed.
Britain's action in referring this matter to the UN will only reinforce the Iranian's belief that the west is weak and unwilling to risk a confrontation. The Iranians have been diddling the international diplomatic process for years over their nuclear program, and this is no doubt an extension of that process.
There is one sensible course of action that will prevent worse trouble in the future. It is the one Teddy Roosevelt used against the Barbary Pirates when they had seized an American hostage. I forget the names of the principals, but TR said give me the hostage alive or the pirate dead. Tony Blair should tell the Iranians to release these hostages by the end of the day or face the consequences.