Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 68
UK Missions overseas are not getting the support that they need on atrocity prevention.
Conclusion
UK Missions overseas are not getting the support that they need on atrocity prevention. Current training and support appear to attach insufficient weight to prevention, which risks leaving staff without the information that they need to recognise and act on the warning signs of atrocities. Although some Missions acknowledged the value of the training, Missions in more than 90% of countries and territories do not appear to have recently accessed it. Some of the Missions that have apparently not accessed the training are based in countries where the FCDO believes that human rights violations and abuses are ongoing. Such critical training cannot be left to individual discretion. That point is especially pertinent, because the Government plans to give greater power to Heads of Missions.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees Heads of Missions play an important role in the UK’s atrocity prevention approach and that this informs how they are prepared for postings and the support available.
Paragraph Reference:
68
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
34. Whilst primary responsibility for preventing atrocities lies with the state in question, we agree that HoMs play an important role in the UK’s atrocity prevention approach. This informs how we prepare HoMs for postings, and the additional staffing support, funding and training that is available. The Hub will play a greater role in co-ordinating this support for priority posts.