Humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law
International Development Committee
Closed
Inquiry
International humanitarian law includes important rules to facilitate the passage of humanitarian relief such as food, clothing and medical supplies as well as rules on the protection of humanitarian personnel. In addition, UN Security Council resolutions have called for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel. Yet, in recent years …
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20
Recommendations
31
Conclusions
1
Report
1
Oral session
1
Letter
1
Event
Activity timeline 5 events
5 Sep
2025
2025
26 Jun
2025
2025
12 Jun
2025
2025
11 Mar
2025
2025
11 Mar
2025
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
11 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
Humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law
Anna Tazita Samuel · Women for Change
Imogen Wall · IW Response Associates
Jon Novakovic · Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF)
Steve Dennis · Proper Support
Tarini Ross · Humanitarian Aid International
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Report - Protection not permission: The UK’s role in upholdi… | HC 526 | 12 Jun 2025 | 51 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Rising aid worker deaths and IHL breaches increasingly traded off by belligerents with deadly consequences.
Numbers of aid worker deaths are rising year on year and the situations where access to aid is deliberately impeded are also increasing. This violates the purpose of IHL: to protect civilians in a time of war. We see growing …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's concerns regarding rising aid worker deaths, restrictions on humanitarian access, and IHL violations, affirming that IHL must be respected and all tools leveraged to address these issues.
13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
International Criminal Court provides forum for holding states accountable for IHL breaches.
At the international level, the International Criminal Court provides a forum for holding states and individuals, respectively, accountable for breaches of IHL. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35)
Government Response
The government agrees with the conclusion, affirming its full commitment to international law and respect for the independence of the ICJ and ICC. It reiterates its strong support for the ICC through multilateral engagement and by encouraging states to become parties to the Rome Statute.
15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
UK lacks consistency condemning IHL breaches, especially when protecting allies.
We welcome the times that the Government has made a stand on the likely breaches of IHL that have reduced access of populations to aid and/or have failed to protect those delivering aid. We also welcome the more general calls …
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Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating it consistently calls on all parties to comply with IHL without differentiation and engages with partners to address reported violations. It clarifies that it cannot provide a running commentary on possible breaches due to lack of detailed information.
16
Recommendation
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Condemn IHL breaches consistently, irrespective of diplomatic relationships with offending parties.
As part of the UK’s leadership role, the Government must be ready to call out actions not only when a blatant breach of IHL has been ruled on by a court, but when the spirit of IHL is being eroded. …
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Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating it consistently calls on all parties to comply with IHL and observe robust standards without differentiation. It clarifies that it cannot provide a running commentary on possible breaches due to lack of detailed information to determine IHL violations.
34
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Aid workers face unprecedented dangers and attacks, contravening international humanitarian law.
It has never been more dangerous to be a humanitarian aid worker. These workers put their lives on the line every day to protect others. Aid workers suffer direct intimidation and attacks in the field, as well as the impact …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the increased risks to humanitarian personnel and reaffirms its commitment to championing aid worker protection through ongoing initiatives, including the proposed Australia-led Declaration.
35
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Malicious disinformation hampers aid worker safety and humanitarian aid delivery.
The safety of aid workers and aid delivery is further hampered by the spread of malicious disinformation online and in other forms of media. (Conclusion, Paragraph 71)
Government Response
The government agrees that malicious disinformation threatens aid worker safety, highlighting the BBC World Service's role and describing FCDO's existing efforts to counter foreign information manipulation, including a recent programme in Sudan.
37
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Overly-politicised humanitarian responses risk safe delivery of UK-funded aid.
While it is important that the UK’s aid, trade, defence and diplomacy objectives are coherent, there is a risk that overly-politicised humanitarian responses can make the safe delivery of UK-funded support difficult. (Conclusion, Paragraph 73)
Government Response
The government agrees that humanitarian aid must be impartial, outlining its current approach to ensure principled aid delivery through strong partnerships, coherent diplomatic action, new humanitarian diplomacy training, and a humanitarian allocation model.
Correspondence 1 letter
26 Jun 2025
Correspondence to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the exemption of F-35 components from suspended arms exports to Israel, 26 June 2025
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