Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL4498):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps, beyond expressions of support, they have taken to help to establish an international tribunal that would try those in Russia responsible for serious crimes under international humanitarian law, and what obstacles they have identified in doing so. (HL4498)
Tabled on: 09 May 2024
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The UK is committed to holding Russia to account for its actions in Ukraine. We are actively engaging in the Core Group established by Ukraine to explore options for a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression, including on the form any tribunal might take. We support exploring the creation of an internationalised tribunal, rooted in Ukraine’s jurisdiction but with international elements. The creation of a special tribunal requires both establishing a sound legal basis and securing broad international support.
Date and time of answer: 23 May 2024 at 16:24.
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL4499):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they intend to use proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to help fund the creation of an international tribunal for crimes against international humanitarian law in Ukraine. (HL4499)
Tabled on: 09 May 2024
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The proceeds are not held by the UK Government. They are currently frozen in a UK bank account. In a statement announcing the sale, Roman Abramovich stated the proceeds would be donated to a new charitable foundation. A licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation will be needed to move the funds to the foundation, once established. We will only issue a licence which ensures the proceeds are used for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine. Separately, we continue to engage in the Core Group established to explore options for a special tribunal on the crime of aggression.
Date and time of answer: 23 May 2024 at 16:19.
