The UK has universal jurisdiction under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 (and other legislation) for a limited number of serious international crimes. It also has an obligation under international law to prosecute or extradite those suspected of war crimes or torture anywhere in the world. There are few such prosecutions in the UK but arrest warrants have been sought for private prosecutions. The Government is consulting on a change to the law on private prosecutions for universal jurisdiction offences, and the UN is conducting a review of the scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Universal jurisdiction (132 KB , PDF)
The UK has universal jurisdiction under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 (and other legislation) for a limited number of serious international crimes. It also has an obligation under international law to prosecute or extradite those suspected of war crimes or torture anywhere in the world. There are few such prosecutions in the UK but arrest warrants have been sought for private prosecutions. The Government is consulting on a change to the law on private prosecutions for universal jurisdiction offences, and the UN is conducting a review of the scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Universal jurisdiction (132 KB , PDF)
A debate on the implementation of public registers of beneficial ownership in the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will take place on Thursday 7 December 2023, in the House of Commons chamber. The debate has been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Dame Margaret Hodge MP
A Westminster Hall debate on Sri Lankan Tamils and human rights is scheduled for Tuesday 5 December 2023, from 2.30-4.00pm. The debate will be led by Martyn Day MP.
Recent developments and the prospects for talks on the future of Western Sahara.
