Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
UK has important role in supporting mechanisms for accountability of IHL breaches.
Conclusion
During an evidence session, the Minister was unclear about the extent of the application of approved approaches when it came to creative responses to the situation in Gaza. There are various mechanisms available at the international, regional and domestic levels for holding states and non-state actors to account for alleged breaches of IHL—breaches which include the killings of aid workers and unlawful blockades of humanitarian aid and assistance. The UK has an important role to play in supporting, funding and participating in these mechanisms. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)
Government Response Summary
The government asserts it is clear and consistent in its support for IHL in Gaza, consistently urges Israeli authorities to conduct swift investigations into incidents involving aid workers, and believes it is meeting its obligations through existing measures.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We are clear, robust and consistent, including through our work in New York and Geneva and our work at multilateral institutions, in our support for IHL and the need to uphold IHL in Gaza. The Government has been repeatedly clear that all parties, including Hamas and other non-state actors, must comply with their obligations under IHL in Gaza, and civilians must be protected. We consistently urge the Israeli authorities to conduct swift and thorough internal investigations into incidents, including those involving aid workers and medical personnel and that these investigations result in meaningful accountability. Through the measures we have taken including with our export licensing programme and our international actions, we are also satisfied that we are meeting our own obligations under international law.