Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL837):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to government of Iraq in relation to the spike in hate speech against the Yazidi, following the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide; and how they are assisting Iraq in addressing the issue. (HL837)
Tabled on: 06 September 2024
Answer:
Lord Collins of Highbury:
The UK remains committed to supporting the Yazidi community. The UK regularly engages with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government on the promotion of the right to freedom of religion and belief, including for the Yazidi community.
We are closely monitoring the situation currently facing Yazidis. We currently provide support to Yazidi survivors through a Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative delivered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which funds capacity building support to the Government of Iraq to support to the implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law passed in 2021. We continue to advocate for implementation of the Law, which is crucial in securing justice for survivors and rebuilding their lives.
We have also supported Iraq to develop capacity for Daesh accountability through the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh/ISIL (UNITAD), and international efforts to deliver justice will continue.
Date and time of answer: 19 Sep 2024 at 14:25.
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Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL839):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL as it comes to the end of its mandate; and what arrangements have been agreed in relation to the evidence it has collected so far, in particular (1) where and how it will be stored, (2) how it will be used, and (3) what will happen to the evidence which has not been processed yet. (HL839)
Tabled on: 06 September 2024
Answer:
Lord Collins of Highbury:
The UK played a leading role in UNITAD’s establishment. UNITAD has collated and processed considerable evidence of Daesh atrocities since its establishment in 2017. It has contributed significantly to addressing the legacy of Daesh in Iraq, including the generation of high-quality evidence which has supported trials in third countries, and capacity building of the Iraqi judicial system. The UK will continue to work with Iraq and international partners to ensure that Daesh are held accountable for the crimes they have committed following the UNITAD’s closure, and that international efforts to support survivor and minority communities continue.
Date and time of answer: 19 Sep 2024 at 14:24.
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Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL840):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what is their position on establishing an ad hoc tribunal for Da’esh to ensure that its members are prosecuted for their involvement in international crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. (HL840)
Tabled on: 06 September 2024
Answer:
Lord Collins of Highbury:
The UK is committed to ensuring that those responsible for the commission of serious international crimes do not go unpunished. Universal jurisdiction has been adopted in the case of certain heinous crimes to accord with customary international law and the UK’s international obligations set out in various treaties. The UK is committed to helping countries to prosecute offences that take place on their territory or within their jurisdiction, including the investigation and prosecution of crimes of universal jurisdiction. The UK has arrangements to provide mutual legal assistance to other countries and permits the surrender of its own nationals subject to statutory safeguards.
Date and time of answer: 19 Sep 2024 at 14:21.
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Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL838):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reports that evidence collected by the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL is being shared with Kurdish authorities; whether doing so was in accordance with the consent of victims and survivors; and what risks were identified. (HL838)
Tabled on: 06 September 2024
Answer:
Lord Collins of Highbury:
UNITAD has collated and processed a considerable body of evidence of Daesh atrocities in Iraq since its establishment in 2017, facilitating accountability for Daesh/ISIL members for their crimes. Evidence collated by UNITAD can be shared with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional (Government), subject to certain provisions within UNITAD’s Terms of Reference. Firstly, evidence that may lead to the application of the death penalty cannot be shared. Furthermore, the Terms of Reference for UNITAD contain explicit provisions around the responsible handling of evidence, including a requirement for informed consent from originators before evidence can be shared more widely.
Date and time of answer: 19 Sep 2024 at 14:20.
