UK proposed bill would undermine key human rights obligations and threaten human rights - UN

Wednesday, 14 April 2021 - 12:08

UK+proposed+bill+would+undermine+key+human+rights+obligations+and+threaten+human+rights+-+UN+
The United Nations last night claimed that the UK government bid to restrict war crimes investigations involving UK troops risks undermining human rights obligations according to foreign media. 

UN high commissioner Michelle Bachelet warned the legislation, which intends to curb prosecutions involving soldiers alleged to have tortured detainees, will make the UK less accountable.

The Overseas Operations Bill, which is entering the final stages of the legislative process, would introduce a 'presumption against prosecution' for British personnel accused of historical war crimes.

According to ex-military chiefs and legal critics, this would damage the UK's international reputation for integrity.

The Bill has also been criticised for recommending that requests for financial support brought by troops suffering from degenerative conditions such post-traumatic stress disorder should be 'timed out' after six years.

The Ministry of Defence would not be liable to pay compensation after this period.

Now, ahead of a crucial House of Lords debate on the Bill, the UN has joined those calling for it to be amended.

Proposed bill would undermine key human rights obligations - UN
In a statement, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Parliament to heed warnings that the proposed new Overseas Operations Bill risks undermining key human rights obligations that lawmakers have previously agreed to.

“As currently drafted, the Bill would make it substantially less likely that UK service members on overseas operations would be held accountable for serious human rights violations amounting to international crimes”, the High Commissioner said.

Shielded from probes
The Bill could shield military personnel operating abroad “from due accountability for acts of torture or other serious international crimes”, she maintained.

In its present form, the UN rights chief also said that the legislation potentially put it at odds with the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the Convention against Torture.

And quoting from the UK Government’s background to the Bill, Ms. Bachelet highlighted that the purpose of the Bill was “to provide greater certainty for Service personnel and veterans in relation to claims and potential prosecution for historical events that occurred in the complex environment of armed conflict overseas”.

Raising the bar
In future, prosecutors would have to “have proper regard to the challenging context…in relation to alleged historical incidents that occurred on overseas operations”, the UN High Commissioner continued, while noting that the Government had been in contact with her office, OHCHR, over the issue.

“I appreciate the Government’s engagement with my Office on these issues. I also note that similar concerns have been raised by numerous politicians, NGOs, lawyers and former senior British military officers, as well as by the UN Committee against Torture and a group of UN Special Rapporteurs, including the Special Rapporteur on Torture,” Ms. Bachelet said.

The Bill is now reaching its final stages in the legislative process and will shortly be debated for a third and final time by the House of Lords, the UK’s upper house, where amendments may still be made.

It was sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and was introduced in the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament.

Source UN website and foreign media


Share
Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook Share to Facebook

Follow US

facebook 32ins twitter 32ins


Most Viewed Stories