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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Friday, 23 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 6 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Thursday, 12 February 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Islamic State: Yazidis

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken a investigation into the atrocities against the Yazidis; if so, what is the progress of that investigation; and, if so, what are the next steps further to those listed in the 2nd Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Accountability For Daesh Crimes: Government Response (HL Paper 121, Session 2024–25), including amending the International Criminal Court Act 2001 to include prosecutions for international crimes.

Answer

Securing accountability for the atrocities committed against the Yazidi people is a priority for the UK, and our Embassy in Iraq regularly engages the Yazidi community, the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to that end. In July 2025, the former Minister for Human Rights and the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief met with Mir Hazem Tahsin Beg, the Prince of the Yazidis, to understand the ongoing challenges faced by the community and what support the UK can provide.

As set out in the Government Response, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Act 2001 is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern, holding perpetrators to account, and achieving justice for victims, and the UK is a strong supporter of the ICC and its mission.

Where the UK does not have jurisdiction, we seek to build domestic capability, supporting partners to deliver justice and hold perpetrators to account. To that end, the UK is working closely with Iraq's National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation to ensure that evidence of crimes can be used effectively to deliver justice for all victims of Daesh. We also continue to push for the full implementation of the Yazidi Survivor law which is crucial to securing justice for survivors and helping them rebuild their lives.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL13863
Session
2024-26
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Subjects
Prosecutions Yazidis Islamic State
Legislation
International Criminal Court Act 2001
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk