Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ukraine: War Crimes Investigation

Wednesday 7 December 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government supports Ukraine and works with the Ukrainian prosecutor general and the International Criminal Court.
  • The international community is determined to address war crimes through careful international cooperation, as evidenced by the G7 Justice Ministers meeting in Berlin.
  • The Attorney General highlights the importance of real-time prosecutions by Ukraine to deter future crimes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Duguid Con
Ukraine
Context

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has raised concerns about alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces. The UK government is under pressure to support the investigation of these potential violations.

Question

I am concerned about the steps needed to support the investigation of potential war crimes in Ukraine. What specific measures have been taken, and how is the international community responding?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Government supports Ukraine as it defends against Russia's invasion. We are working closely with the Ukrainian prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, and providing financial support for the International Criminal Court. The UK is part of the G7 Justice Ministers meeting in Berlin to address these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures and timeline not provided

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Q2 David Duguid Con
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The question builds on the initial inquiry about supporting investigations into potential war crimes, focusing on the international community's role and coordination.

Question

I join others in welcoming my right hon. Friend to her post. What is your assessment of how the international community is responding to alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The international community is determined to support Ukraine. I attended a G7 Justice Ministers meeting in Berlin focusing on this issue. Addressing these issues requires careful international cooperation and time due to differing perspectives among states.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear assessment or specific actions provided

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Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Ukraine
Context

The concern is that public shaming through maximum publicity can serve as a deterrent to committing war crimes. The question challenges the Attorney General on this approach.

Question

It is crucial that those who commit war crimes are brought to justice. Does the Attorney General agree it is important to give maximum publicity, perhaps via social media, to shame those who have committed these crimes?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point in real-time prosecutions by Ukraine, which may deter future crimes given 13 Russian soldiers have already been convicted and imprisoned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear agreement on publicity or social media use

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