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

5 items
7 Conclusion 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Not Addressed

There is a lack of cooperation between UK investigative and prosecuting bodies, such as the...

There is a lack of cooperation between UK investigative and prosecuting bodies, such as the War Crimes Unit of the Metropolitan Police, and the Crown Prosecution Service. (Conclusion, Paragraph 60)

Government response. The government's response outlines its policy on Universal Jurisdiction but does not address the committee's conclusion regarding a lack of cooperation between UK investigative and prosecuting bodies.
Ministry of Justice
8 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Not Addressed

The Government should prioritise the establishment of a clear framework to allow for greater cooperation...

The Government should prioritise the establishment of a clear framework to allow for greater cooperation between UK’s relevant national bodies and between the UK and other mechanisms involved in the gathering and preserving of evidence. It should also identify the barriers to undertaking structural investigations and identify how this could …

Government response. The government's response outlines its policy on Universal Jurisdiction, focusing on where investigations should occur and collaborative approaches through treaties, but does not address the recommendation for establishing a framework for greater cooperation between UK national bodies or identifying barriers …
Ministry of Justice
9 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Not Addressed

With the closure of UNITAD, it is imperative that the evidence gathered is not lost,...

With the closure of UNITAD, it is imperative that the evidence gathered is not lost, and that new evidence can still be collected as needed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 61)

Government response. The government's response rejects the committee's assessment of a lack of cooperation between UK investigative bodies, which does not address the recommendation regarding the preservation and collection of evidence following UNITAD's closure.
Ministry of Justice
10 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Not Addressed

We urge the Government to use its influence to ensure that such valuable evidence is...

We urge the Government to use its influence to ensure that such valuable evidence is not lost and that it is kept safe from both state and non- state actors who could put the lives of survivors at risk. The Government should also employ efforts to ensure that this evidence, …

Government response. The government's response rejects the committee's assessment of a lack of cooperation between UK investigative bodies, which does not address the recommendation to ensure the preservation and effective use of valuable evidence from Daesh crimes.
Ministry of Justice
16 Recommendation 2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh c… Not Addressed

The Government must adopt a proactive approach and seek to identify and locate minors and...

The Government must adopt a proactive approach and seek to identify and locate minors and where feasible repatriate them as soon as practically possible. (Recommendation, Paragraph 97)

Government response. While stating 'Agree,' the government's response details the establishment of an Iraqi judicial body for international judicial cooperation and evidence-sharing, which does not address the recommendation for the UK government to proactively identify, locate, and repatriate minors.
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, 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 ↗

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 Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State…
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…
8 May 2024 Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt …
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…
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…