International Criminal Court may investigate UK ‘war crimes cover-up’ – BBC News

‘The International Criminal Court could open its first investigation into the British military following a BBC programme about alleged war crimes.’

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BBC News, 18th November 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Judgment: R v TRA [2019] UKSC 52 – UKSC Blog

‘The appellant was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2017 and charged with one count of conspiracy to commit torture and seven counts of torture, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 134. The charges relate to events in the early stages of the first Liberian civil war in 1990 when an armed group, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia took control of parts of Liberia. Its leader, Charles Taylor, subsequently became President of Liberia in 1997. The point of law raised in the appeal related to the correct interpretation of the term “person acting in an official capacity” in the CJA, section 134(1). The Court of Appeal held that CJA, section 134 is not confined to individuals acting on behalf of a State.’

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UKSC Blog, 13th November 2019

Source: ukscblog.com

Tory minister admits UK breached court order banning arms sales to Saudi Arabia again – The Independent

‘The government has again admitted breaching a court order banning arms sales to Saudi Arabia over concerns they could be used in the Yemen war.’

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The Independent, 26th September 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Government apologises for breaching court ruling against arms sales to Saudi Arabia – The Independent

‘The government has apologised for breaching a court ruling against the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia that could be used in the Yemen conflict.’

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The Independent, 16th September 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK ministers challenge court ruling on Saudi Arabia arms sales – The Guardian

Posted July 8th, 2019 in appeals, export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, statistics, Supreme Court, war, weapons by sally

‘Ministers have asked the courts to set aside a landmark ruling that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia are unlawful, a legal manoeuvre that prompted Jeremy Corbyn to accuse the Conservatives of prioritising military exports over civilian lives.’

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The Guardian, 8th July 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

The CPS is failing rape victims. That’s why we’re taking legal action – The Guardian

‘Reported rapes have soared, but cases reaching court have plummeted. Our coalition of women’s groups won’t stand for it.’

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The Guardian, 10th June 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Wartime Opt Out Of Human Rights Convention Will Hurt Soldiers And Civilians, Campaigners Say – Rights Info

Posted May 16th, 2019 in armed forces, criminal justice, human rights, Iraq, news, Northern Ireland, war by sally

‘Campaign groups are warning that the new defence secretary’s pledge to opt out of the Human Rights Convention in future conflicts will hurt soldiers and civilians.’

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Rights Info, 15th May 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org

Ep. 57: Mass starvation as a weapon of war – Law Pod UK

Posted December 11th, 2018 in food, human rights, international law, news, war, war crimes by sally

‘Rosalind English talks to 1 Crown Office Row’s Catriona Murdoch about the ways in which international law may be used to prevent it.’

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Law Pod UK, 10th December 2018

Source: audioboom.com

Tanzil Chowdhury: Statutorising UK Military Deployments and Assessing Anxieties of Their Justiciability – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted September 20th, 2018 in bills, constitutional law, international law, news, parliament, war by tracey

‘The paramount anxieties that emerge from attempts to statutorising Parliament’s role in making decisions on whether to commit military action abroad has not just been to do with deferring power from the executive to the Commons, but also with the potential justiciability of such decisions. While frequent attempts to table such bills are often accompanied with assurances that these fears are misplaced, this post argues that putting Parliament’s role in deployment decisions, considered a matter of high policy, on a statutory footing could pierce the seemingly impermeable veil of non-justiciability that attend them and subject these decisions to common law review – a development that ought to be welcome.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 17th September 2018

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J. Hooper: Whither the War Powers Convention? What Next for Parliamentary Control of Armed Conflict after Syria? – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘On Friday 13 April 2018 the Royal Air Force participated in air strikes (together with the United States and France) to degrade the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability and to deter further chemical attacks. This intervention in Syria was not authorised by the UN Security Council, nor was the involvement of British troops approved by the House of Commons. Instead, the decision to send British forces to Syria was made by The Prime Minister Theresa in conjunction with the Cabinet. Readers can view her public statement from 14 April 2018 here. Events unfolded this way despite governmental acknowledgement of a War Powers Convention in the 2011 Cabinet Manual.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 20th April 2018

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

MOD to compensate Iraqis for “ill treatment” – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted December 19th, 2017 in armed forces, compensation, human rights, Iraq, news, war by sally

‘The High Court has upheld claims by four Iraqi civilians that their human rights had been breached by the British army. Their claims in tort were rejected as time-barred.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 18th December 2017

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Criminal or casualty? – Counsel

Posted October 12th, 2017 in armed forces, diminished responsibility, homicide, mental health, murder, news, war by sally

‘Marine A is a salutary lesson on the pressures of modern warfare and those acting for service personnel, say Shaun Esprit and Jo Morris.’

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Counsel, October 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Scandal of British troops cleared of Iraq death 14 years ago now facing fresh inquiry – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 21st, 2017 in armed forces, death in custody, inquiries, Iraq, news, war by sally

‘British troops finally cleared of wrongdoing over the death of an Iraqi civilian 14 years ago face the “insanity” of a fresh inquiry ordered by the Ministry of Defence, The Telegraph can disclose.’

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Daily Telegraph, 20th September 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

High Court blocks bid to prosecute Tony Blair over Iraq War – The Independent

Posted July 31st, 2017 in international law, Iraq, news, private prosecutions, war by sally

‘The High Court has blocked a bid by a former chief of staff of the Iraqi army to bring a private prosecution against Tony Blair over the Iraq War.’

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The Independent, 31st July 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Attorney General’s speech at the International Justice Day event – Attorney General’s Office

Posted July 18th, 2017 in attorney general, evidence, prosecutions, speeches, terrorism, war, war crimes by tracey

‘Attorney General discusses the importance of evidence gathering in Syria and Iraq to enable domestic prosecutions.’

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Attorney General’s Office, 17th july 2017

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia ruled lawful – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2017 in evidence, export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, war, weapons by sally

‘UK government arms sales to Saudi Arabia are lawful, the High Court has ruled, after seeing secret evidence.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK court to rule on Saudi arms exports – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2017 in export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, United Nations, war, weapons by sally

‘The High Court is to rule later on the legality of UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Plan to opt out of rights accords in future wars dangerous, inquiry hears – The Guardian

‘Government plans to opt out of international human rights agreements in future conflicts would be dangerous and prevent British soldiers from obtaining justice, according to evidence submitted to a parliamentary inquiry by the Law Society and Liberty.’

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The Guardian, 24th April 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Blair prosecution opposed by attorney general, says paper – BBC News

Posted April 18th, 2017 in Iraq, ministers' powers and duties, news, private prosecutions, reports, war by sally

‘The attorney general hopes to block a private prosecution against Tony Blair over the Iraq war, a report says.’

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BBC News, 17th April 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Marine A to be resentenced over fatal shooting of Taliban fighter – Daily Telegraph

‘Royal Marine who is in prison for the fatal shooting of a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan finds out today if he is to be freed or must serve more time behind bars.’

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Daily Telegraph, 28th March 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk