Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
5th Report - Protection not permission: The UK’s role in upholding international humanitarian law and supporting the safe delivery of humanitarian aid
International Development Committee
HC 526
Published 12 June 2025
Recommendations
11
Accepted in Part
Provide clearer guidance and consider standing exemptions for humanitarian organisations regarding sanctions.
Recommendation
We encourage the Government to consider a standing exemption for relevant humanitarian organisations to ensure that they do not risk liability for their legitimate dealings with sanctioned entities. In the meantime, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) must provide …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to introducing a tailored humanitarian exemption or ‘carve-out’ across autonomous UK sanctions when parliamentary time allows. They also state OFSI has comprehensive guidance and will continue working to produce clear guidance for humanitarian actors.
19
Accepted in Part
Call for UNSC Special Session on IHL disregard, humanitarian access, and aid worker safety.
Recommendation
We recommend that the UK works with the other UN Member States represented on the ministerial group for the safety of humanitarian aid workers to call for a Special Session of the UNSC to discuss the problem of disregard of …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating it already actively engages with UN Member States and co-sponsored UNSCR 2730, which addresses humanitarian personnel protection and will lead to a UN Secretary-General's report. It also supports the inclusion of humanitarian access in UN reports and commits to continue doing so, but does not specifically commit to calling for a Special Session of the UNSC focused on hearing from aid workers.
30
Accepted in Part
Introduce interim measures to freeze arms export licences for suspected IHL breaches.
Recommendation
We recommend the Government a. Provide for interim measures to allow for the temporary freezing of licenses where there are credible allegations of IHL breaches, subject to full investigation and final determination; b. report findings of independent audits of arms …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating it already assesses IHL risks and wider security context, including risks to aid workers, for export licences, and will publish an annual report on strategic export controls. However, it rejects providing for interim licence freezing and independent audits of arms exports due to policy and operational reasons.
33
Accepted in Part
Commemorate sacrifices of aid workers through memorial services and parliamentary updates.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government takes appropriate opportunities to commemorate the sacrifices of the hundreds of aid workers every year who pay the ultimate price in the service of others. This should include representation at the memorial service in Westminster …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees to commemorate aid worker sacrifices, noting it already marks World Humanitarian Day, attends memorial services, delivers speeches for UNSCR 2730, and has introduced the Humanitarian Medal. It welcomes the suggestion to update Parliament on this issue as feasible.
36
Accepted in Part
Collaborate with ODA partners to counter disinformation and fund BBC World Service.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government work closely with those delivering UK Official Development Assistance to identify appropriate responses to disinformation aimed at neutral implementing partners. This should include ensuring organisations such as the BBC World Service are adequately funded to …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees to work on identifying responses to disinformation, citing existing FCDO efforts like a programme in Sudan. However, it clarifies the BBC World Service's editorial independence and does not commit to directly ensuring its funding as a government tool for countering disinformation.
Conclusions (3)
29
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
There is much more the Government could do to ensure that UK manufactured weapon components do not fall into the hands of those who may use them in attacks on aid workers and aid infrastructure. (Conclusion, Paragraph 61)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating it already has a robust export control regime and will publish an annual report on UK strategic export controls. However, it rejects commitments to an independent review of past allegations, independent audits, or temporary freezing of licences.
42
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Beyond funding, the FCDO should explore how it might make its in- house security and mental health expertise, particularly at diplomatic mission level, accessible to local NGOs as requested as appropriate. (Recommendation, Paragraph 81)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating they cannot commit resources to extend direct security and mental health services to third parties. However, they are open to sharing the rationale for their strategic approach to staff welfare and wellbeing and encourage mutual information exchange with interested partners.
49
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
The FCDO needs to make sure that insurance provided to aid workers by their employers covers legal advice and longer-term medical, including physiological support. The FCDO should work with insurance providers and delivery partners to ensure that appropriate and affordable packages of insurance are provided—including for local staff and volunteers, …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating that while they support partners' access to insurance, the choice of provider lies with partners. They note flexible funding guidelines and due diligence processes that ensure partners consider staff wellbeing, highlighting the HAVEN programme in Ukraine as an example.