Overview

This bill allows individuals or groups to petition the High Court of England and Wales to make a preliminary determination on whether genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes have been committed. The Secretary of State would then be mandated to refer the High Court's finding to an appropriate international body for further action.

Description

The bill establishes a process for determining allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes.

• Petitions to the High Court: Individuals, groups, or their representatives can apply to the High Court to assess evidence of such crimes.
• High Court's Role: The High Court will make a preliminary finding based on the available evidence. If evidence is insufficient, the court can request the Secretary of State to gather more information through various international channels (UN, intergovernmental organizations, national governments).
• Referral to International Bodies: Following a High Court finding, the Secretary of State must refer the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the UN Security Council (for potential ICC referral or establishment of a special tribunal), or other relevant UN mechanisms.
• Definitions: The bill incorporates the definitions of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes as established in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
• Jurisdiction and Commencement: The bill applies only to England and Wales and will come into effect six months after being passed.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, costs will likely arise from the High Court's involvement in processing petitions, the Secretary of State's actions in gathering evidence, and potential involvement in international legal processes.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes: They will have a legal avenue to seek justice through international mechanisms.
• The High Court of England and Wales: The court will have an increased workload processing applications under this Act.
• The Secretary of State and relevant government departments: They will be responsible for managing requests from the High Court and liaising with international bodies.
• International Organizations: Such as the ICC and the UN Security Council, will receive additional referrals for investigation and potential prosecution.

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