Source · Select Committees · Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Where the UK has jurisdiction over international crimes, the UK should seek to investigate and...
Recommendation
Where the UK has jurisdiction over international crimes, the UK should seek to investigate and prosecute such crimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5. Agree. The UK Government supports accountability in appropriate jurisdiction in our national laws and upholding our international obligations under the Geneva Conventions. This includes UK court jurisdiction under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001 where the offence has been committed by a UK national or resident or the perpetrator is subject to UK service jurisdiction. The UK also exercises universal jurisdiction for torture under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. The Government supports the investigation and prosecution of international crimes under these conditions. It reaffirms the powers of relevant authorities to investigate international crimes, for the CPS to make independent charging decisions under the CPS Code, and for the MOJ to support fair trials and system-wide capability.