Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL805):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding alleged recent atrocities committed in Nigeria by jihadist groups and organisations targeting minorities; and what assistance they are providing to the ICC in proceeding with any formal investigations. (HL805)
Tabled on: 09 June 2022
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
Support for international criminal justice and accountability is a fundamental element of our foreign policy. The UK has always been, and remains, a strong supporter of the mission of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in line with its founding Statute. It is important for the stabilisation of North East Nigeria that victims and the families of those affected by the conflict see that justice has been done.
On 11 December 2020 the Prosecutor announced that she had concluded her preliminary examination stating there was a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in Nigeria. The Prosecutor is now seeking judicial authorisation to open an ICC investigation. The UK has not been asked by the ICC to provide assistance.
Date and time of answer: 23 Jun 2022 at 16:11.
