Oral Answers to Questions

Damien Moore Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Dr Ben Spencer (Runnymede and Weybridge) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to support an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

7. What steps his Department is taking to support an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

[Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to support an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dominic Raab]

We are doing two things in particular. First, I have convened a cross-Whitehall group, which we have done in the past, to ensure that we can provide whatever support may be needed for everything from witness protection services to the gathering of evidence and information co-operation. Secondly, I have been to The Hague and I will be going back this week. I am working with a coalition of countries that also have unique expertise in that area to provide the support that the Court needs.

[Damien Moore]

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that our recently passed Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 will ensure that this Conservative Government will take every step to deprive those found guilty of war crimes in Ukraine of their illegally gotten gains?

[Dominic Raab]

My hon. Friend will know that, because of the Sergei Magnitsky regime for asset freezes and visa bans for anyone who has committed serious human rights abuses, we already have that capacity in place. That is on top of the further co-operation that we will provide with the ICC and, I should mention, that the Attorney General will provide with the prosecutor general of Ukraine.