Closing the Impunity Gap: UK Law on Genocide (and Related Crimes) and Redress for Torture Victims

In this report the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights says inconsistencies in the way the UK applies international law have created an ‘impunity gap’ for international war criminals, allowing them to visity the UK without fear of prosecution. The Committee says the Government has not fully implemented international conventions to give UK courts the fullest possible jurisdiction over crimes such as: genocide; torture; war crimes; crimes against humanity; and, hostage-taking. This has left gaps in the law which grant impunity to international criminals. The Committee says the Government should ensure that UK law supports the victims of these crimes. Suspects should be liable to arrest whenever they are in the UK. Under international law, victims of torture can seek reparation but the UK courts do not have jurisdiction to allow torture victims to sue the foreign states who tortured them. The Committee says states and those acting on their behalf must not have immunity for torture.