Accountability for Daesh crimes

Human Rights (Joint Committee) Closed Inquiry
Opened: 12 Oct 2023 Closed: 14 Jul 2025 Parliament page
7 Recommendations
10 Conclusions
1 Report
Activity timeline 2 events
11 Jul
2025
Report published
13 May
2025
Report published
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Accountability for Daesh crimes HC 612 13 May 2025 17 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
1 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
We welcome the Government’s commitment to achieve justice for survivors of Daesh crimes.
We welcome the Government’s commitment to achieve justice for survivors of Daesh crimes. However, not a single Daesh fighter has been successfully prosecuted in the UK for committing international crimes, such as genocide. (Conclusion, Paragraph 36)
Ministry of Justice
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2 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
Terrorism charges do not capture the nature and scale of crimes committed against victims.
Terrorism charges do not capture the nature and scale of crimes committed against victims. Where there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for international crimes, individuals should be prosecuted for such crimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 37) Read more
Ministry of Justice
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3 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government has told us that the most appropriate forums for prosecuting individuals are the...
The Government has told us that the most appropriate forums for prosecuting individuals are the jurisdictions where the crimes were committed. Given the concerns with regard to fair trial rights, capacity, and resources, we must not rely on other countries … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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4 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
Where the UK has jurisdiction over international crimes, the UK should seek to investigate and...
Where the UK has jurisdiction over international crimes, the UK should seek to investigate and prosecute such crimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)
Government Response
5. Agree. The UK Government supports accountability in appropriate jurisdiction in our national laws and upholding our international obligations under the Geneva Conventions. This includes UK court jurisdiction under the … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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5 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The UK legal framework applicable to international crimes is inconsistent.
The UK legal framework applicable to international crimes is inconsistent. Whilst it is possible to prosecute individuals for torture and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions committed abroad, it is not possible to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, … Read more
Government Response
5. Agree. The UK Government supports accountability in appropriate jurisdiction in our national laws and upholding our international obligations under the Geneva Conventions. This includes UK court jurisdiction under the … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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6 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government should amend the International Criminal Court Act 2001 to remove the requirements of...
The Government should amend the International Criminal Court Act 2001 to remove the requirements of UK nationality and residency. The relevant guidelines should also be amended to ensure that presence in the UK is not 32 a prerequisite to initiating … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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7 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
There is a lack of cooperation between UK investigative and prosecuting bodies, such as the...
There is a lack of cooperation between UK investigative and prosecuting bodies, such as the War Crimes Unit of the Metropolitan Police, and the Crown Prosecution Service. (Conclusion, Paragraph 60)
Government Response
8. The UK’s policy on Universal Jurisdiction is based on the principle that investigations and prosecutions should take place close to where crimes occur, allowing for better access to robust … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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8 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government should prioritise the establishment of a clear framework to allow for greater cooperation...
The Government should prioritise the establishment of a clear framework to allow for greater cooperation between UK’s relevant national bodies and between the UK and other mechanisms involved in the gathering and preserving of evidence. It should also identify the … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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9 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
With the closure of UNITAD, it is imperative that the evidence gathered is not lost,...
With the closure of UNITAD, it is imperative that the evidence gathered is not lost, and that new evidence can still be collected as needed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 61)
Government Response
10. The Government does not accept the Committee’s assessment that there is a lack of cooperation between UK investigative and prosecuting bodies, such as the War Crimes Unit of the … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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10 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
We urge the Government to use its influence to ensure that such valuable evidence is...
We urge the Government to use its influence to ensure that such valuable evidence is not lost and that it is kept safe from both state and non- state actors who could put the lives of survivors at risk. The … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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11 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The UK uses deprivation of citizenship orders more than almost any country in the world.
The UK uses deprivation of citizenship orders more than almost any country in the world. At the same time that it is important for the Government to be able to take steps such as citizenship stripping in the interests of … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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12 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government must provide greater transparency as to the use of deprivation of citizenship powers,...
The Government must provide greater transparency as to the use of deprivation of citizenship powers, including by providing regularly updated data to the public. The Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, or the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation if his … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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13 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
There is no official public data from the Government on the number of British individuals...
There is no official public data from the Government on the number of British individuals currently detained in camps and prisons in North East Syria (NES). (Conclusion, Paragraph 95)
Ministry of Justice
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14 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government must publish updated data on the number of Britons estimated to be detained...
The Government must publish updated data on the number of Britons estimated to be detained in NES, with information disaggregated by age and sex if available. If this data is not available or cannot be made public, the Government must … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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15 Conclusion
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
We recognise that the Government may in some cases feel that national security considerations render...
We recognise that the Government may in some cases feel that national security considerations render repatriations difficult. We acknowledge this and recognise that keeping the public safe must be the Government’s highest priority. We also acknowledge that conditions on the … Read more
Government Response
16. Agree. Following the end of UNITAD’s mandate in September 2024, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council established the National Centre for International Judicial Co-operation (NCIJC) in October 2024. The centre is … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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16 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government must adopt a proactive approach and seek to identify and locate minors and...
The Government must adopt a proactive approach and seek to identify and locate minors and where feasible repatriate them as soon as practically possible. (Recommendation, Paragraph 97)
Ministry of Justice
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17 Recommendation
2nd Report - Accountability for Da…
The Government should undertake every effort to prosecute British individuals held in camps in NES...
The Government should undertake every effort to prosecute British individuals held in camps in NES where there is evidence that they were involved in Daesh crimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 98) 34
Ministry of Justice
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