Genocide Amendment narrowly defeated in the Commons: 300 MPs brought the Government within a whisker of defeat in the Commons. That, and majorities for the amendment, of over 100 in the Lords, have demonstrated the strength of feeling and that, as new Genocides occur in places like Xinjiang, this argument is far from over and will not go away.
In a Statement today David Alton (Lord Alton of Liverpool)said: “300 MPs brought the Government within a whisker of defeat in the Commons and majorities of over 100 in the Lords have demonstrated the strength of feeling and that, as new Genocides occur in places like Xinjiang, this argument is far from over and will not go away.”
The Government has inched its way to finally accepting that its policy has consistently failed victims of genocide. By establishing a degree of parliamentary accountability it narrowly avoided defeat in the Commons but has left a way open for Parliament to name atrocity crimes for what they are and for our duties under the 1948 Convention on the Crime of Genocide to be fulfilled.
“ But the Government has also continued to resist the fundamental principle that the UK should not trade with a State credibly accused of Genocide and they cling to their policy that only a Court can fully determine whether a genocide is occurring.
“They do so knowing that no such domestic Court is empowered to do this and that international courts will be blocked from doing so by the perpetrators of genocide.
“The parliamentary debates on the Trade Bill have exposed this for the sham it is.
“ 300 MPs brought the Government within a whisker of defeat in the Commons and majorities of over 100 in the Lords have demonstrated the strength of feeling and that, as new Genocides occur in places like Xinjiang, this argument is far from over and will not go away.”
