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Written question asked by Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 14 October 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 16 October 2020. It was answered by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 October 2020 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Venezuela: Development Aid

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the findings of the International Criminal Court into the human rights abuses of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro; and what support the Government has provided to the Lima countries.

Answer

In September 2018, six members of the Lima Group (Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru) referred the situation in Venezuela and possible commission of crimes against humanity there to the International Criminal Court (ICC). On 27 September 2019, the Foreign Secretary announced the UK's support for the Lima Group's referral.

The Court has yet to conclude the Preliminary Examination into the situation in Venezuela. The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) is carrying out a Preliminary Examination to determine whether the situation meets the legal criteria established by the Rome Statute to warrant investigation by the OTP. The OTP will provide an update on the Preliminary Examination in December in its annual report on Preliminary Examination Activities. We look forward to hearing about the progress the OTP has made. It would not be appropriate for the UK to comment further at this stage. The UK respects the independence of the ICC Prosecutor and her role in undertaking a Preliminary Examination into the situation in Venezuela.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
103599
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Development aid Human rights Venezuela Maduro, Nicolás
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk