Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Ensure UK can exercise universal jurisdiction over international crimes against aid workers.
Conclusion
The preamble to the Statute of the International Criminal Court recalls “the duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes.” At the domestic level, the UK must ensure that it can exercise universal jurisdiction over international crimes such as the killings of aid workers and the unlawful restrictions or prohibitions on humanitarian aid and assistance. (Conclusion, Paragraph 51)
Government Response Summary
The government states it is committed to bringing perpetrators of serious international crimes to justice and already possesses a robust legal framework, including extraterritorial jurisdiction, for prosecuting such crimes in the UK regardless of where they were committed.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK is committed to bringing perpetrators of the most serious international crimes to justice. We are a strong proponent of universal jurisdiction for the most serious crimes under international law where national authorities are unable or unwilling to act. We encourage all States to investigate and prosecute suspected perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide within their own jurisdictions, where possible. Under UK law, the extraterritorial principle is engaged for certain offences. This means that a person can be prosecuted for such crimes in the UK, regardless of where they were committed. This includes the crimes of murder, manslaughter, torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity.