Military Conflicts: International Law

Lord Alton of Liverpool Excerpts

Tuesday 7th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hermer (Lab)]

I am so sorry—I might have missed the end of the noble Lord’s question, but if it is about the frequency with which we discuss with our NATO allies the important contemporary issues of the day as they present themselves on the battlefield, or potential battlefields, those are ongoing discussions with intensity and purpose. They are not, of course, limited simply to NATO. More generally, our discussions with allies across the globe focus on the issues of the day, working together for the common good.

[Lord Alton of Liverpool (CB)]

My Lords, I thank the Attorney-General for his recent engagement with the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy of The Shaws, and myself on universal jurisdiction and genocide determination. In the light of the current events referred to in this Question, but specifically in Sudan, where horrendous crimes have been committed, can the Attorney-General say more about how we will be able to hold to account those who have committed the most grievous crimes, particularly against women?

[Lord Hermer (Lab)]

I first pay tribute to the noble Lord and his unflagging commitment to the protection of human rights across the globe. As I anticipate it is for all of us in this House, Sudan is an issue of grave concern. The thousands upon thousands of lives that have already been lost in the most horrific circumstances cast a stain upon us all as an international community, and the fear of what might happen in the coming weeks and months is a very real one. It underlines the importance of international law frameworks, not least the notion of accountability, because unless there is accountability, the real risk is that there is impunity, and we cannot allow that to happen.