Select Committee · Human Rights (Joint Committee)

Accountability for Daesh crimes

Status: Closed Opened: 12 Oct 2023 Closed: 14 Jul 2025 11 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report
Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh crimes HC 612 13 May 2025 17 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
1 Conclusion 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

We welcome the Government’s commitment to achieve justice for survivors of Daesh crimes.

We welcome the Government’s commitment to achieve justice for survivors of Daesh crimes. However, not a single Daesh fighter has been successfully prosecuted in the UK for committing international crimes, such as genocide. (Conclusion, Paragraph 36)

Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the observation and explains its existing approach to prosecuting serious crimes and foreign fighters, highlighting the principles of accountability and evidence-led charging decisions under current laws.
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Ministry of Justice
2 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

Terrorism charges do not capture the nature and scale of crimes committed against victims.

Terrorism charges do not capture the nature and scale of crimes committed against victims. Where there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for international crimes, individuals should be prosecuted for such crimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 37) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the principle, stating that its approach is to pursue justice for serious crimes wherever possible, and that prosecutors select charges based on evidence, allowing for international crime charges or a combination with terrorism charges when appropriate.
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Ministry of Justice
3 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

The Government has told us that the most appropriate forums for prosecuting individuals are the...

The Government has told us that the most appropriate forums for prosecuting individuals are the jurisdictions where the crimes were committed. Given the concerns with regard to fair trial rights, capacity, and resources, we must not rely on other countries to investigate and prosecute individuals for international crimes. Where the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it already supports accountability for international crimes through existing UK court jurisdiction under various acts, reaffirming the powers of relevant authorities like the CPS and the War Crimes Team, which have published guidelines for investigating and prosecuting …
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Ministry of Justice
4 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

Where the UK has jurisdiction over international crimes, the UK should seek to investigate and...

Where the UK has jurisdiction over international crimes, the UK should seek to investigate and prosecute such crimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)

Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, affirming its support for accountability under existing UK laws and international obligations, which already provide jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting international crimes by UK nationals/residents and for specific crimes like torture and grave Geneva Convention breaches.
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Ministry of Justice
11 Conclusion 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

The UK uses deprivation of citizenship orders more than almost any country in the world.

The UK uses deprivation of citizenship orders more than almost any country in the world. At the same time that it is important for the Government to be able to take steps such as citizenship stripping in the interests of public safety, there is a serious lack of transparency and … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government refutes the claim of a serious lack of transparency and oversight by detailing its existing publications of data on citizenship deprivations and highlighting the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's established remit and past independent reviews of the power.
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Ministry of Justice
12 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

The Government must provide greater transparency as to the use of deprivation of citizenship powers,...

The Government must provide greater transparency as to the use of deprivation of citizenship powers, including by providing regularly updated data to the public. The Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, or the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation if his remit is expanded, should periodically review the use of deprivation … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government contends there is already sufficient oversight and transparency, citing its regular publication of data on citizenship deprivations and the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's existing remit and past reviews of the power.
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Ministry of Justice
14 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Accepted

The Government must publish updated data on the number of Britons estimated to be detained...

The Government must publish updated data on the number of Britons estimated to be detained in NES, with information disaggregated by age and sex if available. If this data is not available or cannot be made public, the Government must explain the reasons for this. (Recommendation, Paragraph 95) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government explains that it is not in a position to publish exact numbers of British nationals detained in NES due to shifting circumstances, lack of consular presence, and varied information sources, thereby accepting the recommendation to provide reasons if data is unavailable.
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Ministry of Justice

Oral evidence sessions

6 sessions
Date Witnesses
12 Feb 2025 OBE Alex Crawford · Sky News View ↗
13 Dec 2023 Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP · Ministry of Justice View ↗
6 Dec 2023 Jonathan Hall KC · Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation View ↗
22 Nov 2023 Dr Anne Charbord · Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Katherine Cornett · Reprieve, Laura Durán · ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking), Laura Durán · ECPAT UK, Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin · University of Minnesota Law School View ↗
15 Nov 2023 Bethan David · Crown Prosecution Service, Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees · Metropolitan Police Service View ↗
18 Oct 2023 Dr Ewelina Ochab · International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), Pari Ibrahim · Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) View ↗

Who gave evidence

12 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Bethan David · Head of the Counter Terrorism Division in the Spe… Crown Prosecution Service 1
Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees · Head of Operations and Investigations, SO15 Count… Metropolitan Police Service 1
Dr Anne Charbord · Senior Legal Advisor Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin 1
Dr Ewelina Ochab · Programme Lawyer International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) 1
Jonathan Hall KC · Independent Reviewer Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation 1
Katherine Cornett · Head of the Syria and Iraq Detention Project Reprieve 1
Laura Durán · Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking) 1
Laura Durán · Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research ECPAT UK 1
OBE Alex Crawford · Special Correspondent Sky News 1
Pari Ibrahim · Founder and Executive Director Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) 1
Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin University of Minnesota Law School 1
Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP · Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State Ministry of Justice 1

Correspondence

12 letters
DateDirectionTitle
12 Feb 2025 Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry …
10 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Committee to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Common…
10 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Committee to the Secretary of State for the Home Depart…
10 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Committee to the Secretary of State to the Lord Chancel…
28 May 2024 Correspondence from the Committee to the Secretary of State for the Home Depart…
28 May 2024 Correspondence from the Committee to the Minister of State Lord Ahmad regarding…
28 May 2024 Correspondence from the Committee to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State…
8 May 2024 Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt …
3 May 2024 Correspondence from The Right Honourable Alex Chalk KC MP Lord Chancellor & Sec…
3 May 2024 Correspondence from Rt Hon James Cleverly MP Secretary of State for the Home De…
3 May 2024 Correspondence from Amal Clooney, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers to the Co…
3 May 2024 Correspondence from Rt Hon James Cleverly MP Secretary of State for Foreign, Co…