Ukraine: Crimes against Humanity

(asked on 17th April 2024) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are planning to introduce legislation to amend the International Criminal Court Act 2001 to enable UK courts to prosecute non-citizens and non-residents for crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide in Ukraine.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 1st May 2024

The UK legal system is built on the tradition that, as a general rule, the authorities of the State in whose territory an offence is committed are best placed to prosecute the crime. However, universal jurisdiction applies to torture and other grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. It is a decision for the independent prosecuting authorities whether to prosecute such an offence. The UK remains committed to holding perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine to account, including through our support to the International Criminal Court. We have also delivered a £6.2 million package to support Ukraine's domestic investigations and prosecutions.

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