Humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law

International Development Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 4 Dec 2024 Closed: 5 Sep 2025 Parliament page
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 … Read more
20 Recommendations
31 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Letter
1 Event
Activity timeline 5 events
5 Sep
2025
Report published
26 Jun
2025
Correspondence
12 Jun
2025
Report published
11 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
11 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
11 Mar 2025
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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
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
9 results
Clear
18 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Issue formal response to ICJ opinion on Israel's policies in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
We urge the Government to issue a formal response to the ICJ’s opinion concerning Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, setting out how it is complying with the obligations on the UK as a third party. (Recommendation, … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that consistent with long-standing policy, it does not consider the ICJ to have jurisdiction in this contentious case between Israel and Palestine. It maintains that a lasting peace requires a negotiated settlement between the parties.
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20 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Establish an independent central repository of evidence for IHL breaches against aid workers.
We recommend that the FCDO works with international partners to establish an independent central repository of evidence of breaches of IHL relating to the delivery of aid and attacks on aid workers. For this to be successful, the Government should … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees with the intent but rejects leading the establishment of a new standalone central repository for evidence of IHL breaches. It prioritizes supporting existing mechanisms, such as UN and IIIM mechanisms, to prevent duplication of efforts.
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22 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Establish a roster of independent experts to investigate IHL breaches.
We recommend that the UK works with other willing members of the Ministerial Group on the Safety of Humanitarian Workers to establish a roster of independent legal experts and expert investigators who can support the criminal investigations of suspected breaches … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly rejects establishing a new roster of independent legal experts and investigators, stating it will continue to prioritise support to existing accountability mechanisms instead.
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24 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Amend International Criminal Court Act to provide universal jurisdiction for war crimes.
We recommend an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, to amend the International Criminal Court Act 2001, to provide for universal jurisdiction. This would allow for suspected war criminals to be investigated and prosecuted in the UK irrespective of … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly rejects amending the Crime and Policing Bill to extend universal jurisdiction, asserting that its existing robust legal framework, including the ICCA 2001, is sufficient for prosecuting international crimes.
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31 Conclusion Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Companies lack legal requirement to halt arms exports risking IHL breaches.
There is no legal requirement for companies in the UK to stop exporting arms when they are aware of a clear risk that their weapons could be used in suspected breaches of IHL–instead the legal obligations rest on the Government. … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the implicit call for action, stating that legal obligations for arms exports rest with the government, not manufacturers, and it does not intend to legislate for binding due diligence requirements. It maintains the UK already has a robust export control regime.
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32 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Legislate binding due diligence for arms manufacturers and prosecute complicit directors.
The Government should legislate to provide for binding due diligence requirements on arms manufacturers. The Government should also make use of existing powers under the International Criminal Court Act (2001) to prosecute directors of arms manufacturers for complicity in war … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating it already has a robust export control regime and does not intend to legislate for due diligence requirements. It also states that prosecutions are a matter for independent authorities, which the government cannot direct.
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39 Conclusion Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Adequately resource Charity Commission to investigate NGO duty of care to employees.
Where incidents relate to employees of UK-registered NGOs, it is essential that the Charity Commission is adequately resourced, and has the necessary powers, to investigate whether relevant organisations were diligent in their statutory obligations regarding their employees. (Recommendation, Paragraph 76) Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees but clarifies the Charity Commission's independent and limited role, and does not commit to ensuring it receives adequate resources or new powers as recommended.
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45 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Establish a dedicated, flexible fund for security risk management, separate from programme costs.
We recommend security risk management costs are decoupled from other programme costs. There should be a designated security risk management fund that organisations delivering UK Official Development Assistance can apply to in order to support their broader security requirements. These … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees on the importance of aid worker safety but explicitly rejects the recommendation for a new designated security risk management fund, arguing it would reduce overall funding due to significant administrative and management costs.
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51 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Protection not permis…
Prioritise security risk management fund grants to catalyse pooling of activities.
The security risk management fund we recommend should prioritise grants that catalyse the pooling of activities–ensuring the best value for money and maximum reach. For example, this could include funding for pooled Hazardous Environment Awareness Training, in-country NGO forums, shared … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees on the value of collaborative approaches but rejects the recommendation to establish a new security risk management fund. They state they already fund pooled resources like INSO and are exploring support for GISF, and have a history of supporting consortia.
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Government Response AI assessment · 51 of 20 classified
Accepted 21
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 5
Rejected 9
Total 20 recs + 31 conclusions
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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