Tag: Baroness Cox

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Cox on 2016-06-15.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the UN Security Council resolution of 31 May calling for a suspension of the Transitional Government of National Unity’s decision to increase the number of states in South Sudan to 28.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have consistently expressed serious concern at President Kiir’s decision on 2nd October 2015 to create 28 states in South Sudan, in contradiction to the peace agreement he signed in August 2015. The UK voted in favour of UN Security Council Resolution 2290 of 31 May 2016, which underlined the need to address this issue. We welcome that the Transitional Government of National Unity has subsequently begun the process of forming a Boundary Commission that should resolve this dispute.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Cox on 2016-06-15.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy regarding the legal possibility of bringing before the UN Security Council a resolution seeking to refer the actions of Daesh in Iraq and Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor set out some of the complicated issues involved in the ICC investigating Daesh in her press statement of 8 April 2015. We are exploring, with international partners, all legal possibilities for investigating Daesh and holding them to account for their actions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Cox on 2016-06-15.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the likelihood of securing a UN Security Council Resolution focused on the actions of Daesh in Iraq, in the light of the previous vetoes by Russia.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Any decision to refer to the International Criminal Court must be made on the basis of what will be the most effective means to bring perpetrators of atrocities to account. In close consultation with the Government of Iraq, we will continue to look at every available option to ensure accountability, and to work with our international partners on what can be done both to assist the victims and to bring those responsible to justice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Cox on 2016-06-15.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding they have made available to the Free Yazidi Foundation and other organisations in Iraq and Syria to aid the collection of evidence of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have a long-standing commitment to accountability for human rights violations and abuses and have supported efforts to document them in Syria and Iraq. The UK co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution in September 2014 mandating the investigation of Daesh abuses in Iraq. We continue to support the UN Commission of Inquiry’s investigations into human rights violations and abuses in Syria.

We have provided over £8 million to support the documentation of human rights abuses and violations in Syria and Iraq. We also supported the translation of the International Protocol for the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict into Arabic and Kurdish to further build the capacity of human rights, justice and healthcare professionals to respond to and document these terrible crimes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Cox on 2016-06-15.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they or the UN are collecting reports or intelligence detailing suspected crimes against humanity or genocide in Iraq and Syria, and if so, whether that information will be used to profile people who wish to enter the UK from that region.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have provided over £8 million to support the documentation of human rights abuses and violations in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, we support the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry and continue to call for them to be given unhindered access to investigate human rights violations and abuses. The UK provides financial support to a specialist organisation to collate and build prosecution-ready criminal case files against the high level perpetrators in Syria. These cases are built for international prosecution should a referral to the International Criminal Court be forthcoming, or should individuals be subject to litigation by hybrid, specialised and national courts.

In Iraq, the UK co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution in September 2014 mandating the investigation of Daesh abuses. The UN continues to issue regular reports on abuses committed by Daesh in Iraq. Through our Human Rights and Democracy Fund we funded a project that documents case of sexual violence crimes.

A unit within the Office of Counter-Terrorism monitors various country situations, focusing on issues such as international crimes. This information can be used to help identify possible perpetrators and also to support any decision to refuse their application to enter or stay in the UK.

Where there is credible evidence that a visa applicant has been involved in international crimes (war crimes and crimes against humanity) their case will be investigated further. This applies to any nationality. If there is sufficient evidence, the applicant would be refused entry on the of grounds of their character, conduct or associations. It is also possible to exclude such people from the UK by virtue of the Home Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Theresa May)’s powers under the Immigration Act. With regard to Syria, applicants under the Syrian Humanitarian Assistance Programme are also screened for any security concerns; including international crimes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Cox on 2015-10-05.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Sudan following the findings by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor that Sudanese armed forces used air-dropped cluster bombs in Darfur and South Kordofan’s Nuba Mountains in the first half of 2015.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have brought this issue to the attention of the Government of Sudan. We have also raised the use of cluster munitions in Darfur through the UN Security Council and will continue to do so. Most recently, the UK-drafted Security Council resolution 2228 called for the Government of Sudan to immediately investigate evidence on cluster munitions presented by the Secretary General. The UK is clear that cluster munitions should in no circumstances be used to target civilians, and urge all States to act in accordance with international humanitarian law.