Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 6 July 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 July 2016 (named day). It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Monday, 11 July 2016 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Islamic State

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to seek a referral to the International Criminal Court of acts committed against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq as genocide.

Answer: We are appalled by these acts but we judge that such a referral to the International Criminal Court by the UN Security Council is not practical at this time. When efforts were made by the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC in 2014, this was vetoed by Russia and China. We continue to look at every available option to ensure accountability in Syria and Iraq, and to work with our international partners on what can be done both to assist the victims and to bring those responsible to justice.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42107
Session: 2016-17
Related items: Islamic State
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Iraq Genocide International Criminal Court Minority groups Syria Islamic State
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk