Overview

This bill mandates the UK Secretary of State to consider the prevention and punishment of genocide when allocating international humanitarian aid. The Secretary of State must assess whether genocide has occurred if requested by at least ten Members of either the House of Lords or the House of Commons.

Description

The Humanitarian Assistance (Genocide Victims) Bill amends the International Development Act 2002. It requires the Secretary of State for International Development to prioritize humanitarian aid to areas where genocide has occurred or is at risk of occurring. This prioritization is based on the need to prevent and punish genocide, as defined by Article II of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The bill also introduces a mechanism for triggering a formal assessment of whether genocide has occurred: a request by ten or more Members of Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify an increase or decrease in government spending on humanitarian aid. The impact on spending will depend on the Secretary of State's decisions regarding aid allocation. There is no explicit budgetary commitment.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Victims of genocide: May receive increased humanitarian assistance.
• Organizations working in genocide-affected areas: May see increased or altered funding.
• Other recipients of humanitarian aid: May experience a decrease or redirection of aid if resources are prioritized towards genocide prevention and response.
• The UK Government: Will have a new requirement to consider genocide when allocating aid.

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