← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
International Special Tribunal: Ukraine — [Clive Efford in the Chair]
03 September 2024
Lead MP
Richard Foord
Honiton and Sidmouth
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Anneliese Dodds
Tags
ImmigrationUkraine
Word Count: 9281
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Richard Foord raised concerns about international special tribunal: ukraine — [clive efford in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr Foord asks for the UK Government's stance on whether personal immunities should be disapplied in the context of creating an international special tribunal for Ukraine and calls for any contribution from Members regarding this issue.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr Foord is concerned about the ongoing issue of personal immunities for leaders involved in the crime of aggression, particularly focusing on President Putin's immunity. He highlights that an original decision by Russia to invade Ukraine led to other international crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Mr Foord also emphasizes the importance of having a tribunal with significant international components to disapply relevant immunities.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Praises the UK's past efforts in supporting Ukraine but expresses disappointment over President Zelensky's criticism of slowing leadership. Supports a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for aggression, emphasizing its importance in preventing Putin from rewriting history and ensuring justice for Ukrainian victims. I think that the right hon. Lady would recognise, however, that President Zelensky cannot be accused of politicising the situation. If the Conservative party were still in power, I would have heard about it every single moment of every single day. We have been courteous in raising it and it is right to raise it because we can never again hear President Zelensky say that he is deeply concerned. Warned against historical revisionism by Putin and the need to correctly document history regarding Russia. Also discussed UK support for Ukraine, warning against political turf wars over the issue.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
I remind Members to bob in their place if they intend to speak in the debate.
David Taylor
Lab
Hemel Hempstead
How we think through the special tribunal and the difficulties in establishing it have been well covered in the debate. Forty of the greatest legal minds have come together to consider the issue, including Professor Akande, a member of the UN international law commission. Would the Minister consider meeting the group to think through some of the complicated issues that are part of achieving what we all want to see, which is Putin and others facing accountability for their crimes?
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
The MP agreed with Layla Moran, emphasizing the importance of enforcing sanctions rigorously and addressing past failures in dealing with Putin's aggression.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon spoke about his advocacy for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of recognizing ongoing issues and supporting Ukrainian refugees. He discussed local efforts in Strangford to assist Ukrainians with visas, jobs, and education. Shannon called for international steps against Russian aggression and highlighted the need for accountability for war crimes committed by Russian soldiers. The hon. Member for Strangford discussed the importance of self-determination for Ukraine and used the analogy of David and Goliath to describe the current situation.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
The MP highlighted the ongoing violence and devastation caused by Putin's invasion, citing a recent air attack that left seven people dead and dozens wounded. She stressed the need for accountability through an international special tribunal due to legal limitations of existing courts. Emphasised the work of a core group of over 40 states established in 2023 and highlighted the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, stressing that international justice requires absolute stance rather than compromise.
Campbell
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
East Londonderry
Talked about loopholes in sanctions allowing oil service companies to do business with Russian energy firms, contributing indirectly to Moscow's war machine.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
The MP thanked the hon. Lady for taking his intervention and paid tribute to Richard Foord for securing this debate, emphasizing the importance of the international rules-based system in light of recent attacks on Poltava.
Government Response
Anneliese Dodds
Government Response
The UK Government is committed to ensuring accountability for Russia's actions in Ukraine, leading efforts to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and providing £2.3 million additional contributions to the court since the start of the war. The ICC prosecutor has issued arrest warrants for President Putin and others for unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. UK support includes establishing an atrocity crimes advisory group with EU and US, funding £6.2 million, deploying former ICC judge Sir Howard Morrison KC who has overseen war crimes training to 294 judges, prosecutors, and investigators. The Government supports the establishment of a special tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine, continues to work in international fora like the core group looking at special tribunal proposals, and engages in discussions about Head of State immunity.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.