Image: “Holocaust Memorial” by yigitozan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Public Letter to UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary – Support for Genocide Determination Bill 2023-24
15 April 2024: A public letter was sent to the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron, in respect of the Genocide Determination Bill 2023-24 (Bill) and the UK Government’s current approach to mass atrocity prevention.
ETAC signed along with some of the world’s leading international lawyers, heads of international NGOs, and UK Parliamentarians.
Excerpts from the letter:
“The Bill would provide for the Senior Courts of the UK to make preliminary determinations as to what constitutes genocide in accordance with the UK’s obligations under the Convention. It would also introduce a referral mechanism for such determinations to be referred to relevant international courts or mechanisms.”
“The Bill allows UK domestic courts to fill a gap in the international justice system, since international courts cannot guarantee consequential action in time to prevent further atrocities as mandated by the Genocide Convention. For non-governmental organisations, a court ruling on the existence of genocide, or of a situation where there is a serious risk of genocide being committed, would, in itself, enhance human rights advocacy and strike a meaningful blow against perpetrators. Moreover, the establishment and effective implementation of a national atrocity prevention strategy would ensure that the UK complies with its own obligations under the Genocide Convention.”
Full letter, signatories and further information – HERE
Legal Briefing Paper on the Genocide Determination Bill 2023-24 – HERE
