UK Government says it “is fully committed to the prevention and punishment of genocide under the Genocide Convention” but dodges question of using trade sanctions as an effective penalty against States accused of genocide. MPs are being told that UK Judges would not be sufficiently competent or able to oversee judicial proceedings to establish whether a genocide is underway.

Jan 28, 2021 | News

UK Government says it “is fully committed to the prevention and punishment of genocide under the Genocide Convention” but dodges question of using trade sanctions as an effective penalty against States accused of genocide. MPs are being told that UK Judges would not be sufficiently competent or able to oversee judicial proceedings to establish whether a genocide is underway.

Lord Alton of Liverpool – To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the obligation contained in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to enact legislation that gives effect to that Convention and to provide effective penalties for persons guilty of genocide; what legislative measures, if any, they have taken to meet that obligation; and whether they consider trade sanctions an effective penalty against states accused of genocide.
[HL11956]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon – As a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the UK is fully committed to the prevention and punishment of genocide under the convention. The UK has enacted legislation to give effect to the convention. In particular, the International Criminal Court Act 2001 provides that it is an offence for a person to commit genocide, in the UK, or for a UK national or resident to commit genocide anywhere in the world.

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