Written question asked by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 25 April 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 April 2016 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 28 April 2016. A substantive answer was provided by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Wednesday, 4 May 2016 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Middle East: Crimes against Humanity

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has (a) drafted a motion for or (b) discussed a draft of a motion with other members of the UN Security Council since 20 April 2016 that would refer the perpetrators of suspected (i) genocide and (ii) war crimes in Syria or Iraq to the International Criminal Court.

Answer: In August 2014, the UK sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2170 which reaffirmed the call for those who have committed or are responsible for violations of international humanitarian law in Iraq and Syria to be held accountable. UN Security Council resolution 2249, passed in November 2015, again confirmed the importance of holding the Islamic State in the Levant (also known as Da’esh) to account. These resolutions follow an attempt in May 2014 to have the Security Council refer the situation in Syria to the ICC which was vetoed by Russia and China. We continue to discuss with partners on the UN Security Council further ways to ensure that the perpetrators of crimes committed in Syria and Iraq are held to account and face justice.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 35349
Session: 2015-16
Subjects: Armed conflict Iraq Genocide International Criminal Court War crimes Syria Islamic State
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk