War Crimes Trials Ukraine 2023-07-06

2023-07-06

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the need for support to ensure fair and effective trials for war crimes committed against Ukraine.
Whether she has taken recent steps to support Ukraine's judiciary in its conduct of war crimes trials. We have sent our most experienced international judge, Sir Howard Morrison, to train more than 100 Ukrainian judges. I met some of them earlier this year in Kyiv with him. Next week, we have a delegation of Ukrainian officials in the UK for prosecutorial training.
We have sent our most experienced international judge, Sir Howard Morrison, to train more than 100 Ukrainian judges. I met some of them earlier this year in Kyiv with him. Next week, we have a delegation of Ukrainian officials in the UK for prosecutorial training.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about practical steps to support the International Centre for the Prosecution of Crime of Aggression and gather evidence of war crimes committed in Ukraine.
In addition to what the Attorney General has already said, what further practical steps will she take to support the centre, and assist and support international efforts to gather evidence of war crimes committed in Ukraine? The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression was launched in The Hague this week with the backing of the EU, the US and the International Criminal Court, collecting data, interviewing victims and building evidence files to assist both international and national prosecutors to bring criminals to justice for the invasion of Ukraine.
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I would be delighted to pick this up with her outside the Chamber if she would like more detail on the work we are doing. I work very closely with the Ukrainian prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin. His team are currently investigating and prosecuting 92,000 open war crimes cases during a conflict—something that is unprecedented. We are providing help at every level, including prosecutorial and evidence-gathering help. We are a keen part of the atrocity crimes advisory group. We have been training judges. We are keen to help with the wider accountability question on the international stage as well. At all levels, we are absolutely determined to help our friends in Ukraine.
Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for specific practical steps but received a general commitment and overview of ongoing support without concrete new actions or timelines.
Would Be Delighted To Pick This Up With Her Outside The Chamber If She Would Like More Detail On The Work We Are Doing
Response accuracy