Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Deferred
Committee made no conclusions regarding the role of UNRWA.
Conclusion
This Committee did not inquire directly into the role of UNRWA, and as such does not make any conclusions here. (Conclusion, Paragraph 114)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees (with an unstated recommendation), discusses its consistent call for compliance with international law and accountability, and its support for UNRWA at the ICJ. It then states a particular model for atrocity investigations would not work in Gaza.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government partially agrees with this recommendation. The UK has consistently called on all parties to comply with international law in Palestine and agrees with the committee on the importance of accountability. We have been clear that we respect the independence of the international courts and have supported the courts in their important work. In May this year, the UK participated in the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Israel’s obligations as an Occupying Power and as a member of the UN, putting forward strong support for UNRWA and the ICRC. In relation to the conflict in Gaza, we have called for independent investigations into incidents where there are reports of breaches of international humanitarian law and accountability for those found responsible, including at the UN Security Council. The Government welcomes the Committee’s commendation of the work in Ukraine. With US and EU partners, the UK launched the Atrocity Crimes Advisory group (ACA) in May 2022 as a co-ordinating mechanism to support Ukraine’s domestic investigations and prosecutions of core international crimes. The Government does not agree that this particular model would work in the context of Gaza, given the lack of a state partner or structures to work with on the ground and the challenges of access. Recommendation 25