| answer text |
<p>The British Government has received a number of recent representations on these
issues from Parliament and members of the public and is responding in writing.</p><p>We
condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed by Daesh against
all civilians, including Christians, Mandeans, Yazidis, and other minorities, as well
as the majority Muslim population who continue to bear the brunt of Daesh’s brutality.
The UK has led efforts within the UN to tackle and condemn Daesh and on the protection
of civilians more widely. For example, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council
Resolution mandating the UN to investigate and report on Daesh abuses.</p><p>It is
a long-standing Government policy that any judgements on whether genocide has occurred
are a matter for the international judicial system rather than governments or other
non-judicial bodies.</p><p>Ultimately, the only way to protect Christians, Yazidis
and other minorities in the region from Daesh is by defeating this terrible organisation,
which in turn requires, amongst other things, ending the conflict in Syria. The Prime
Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), set out the UK’s
comprehensive strategy for defeating Daesh and finding a political settlement to the
Syria conflict in his response to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 26 November 2015.</p><p>The
joint Office of the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and
the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect (the Office) are engaged with
these issues and publish much of their activity online, including statements in relation
to the situation of Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq. Our officials
maintain regular contact with officials from the Office to discuss issues related
to the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. The Government provides funding
for the Office, including for their work with religious leaders and faith based organisations
in the Middle East and North Africa region, aimed at the prevention of incitement
to violence that could lead to atrocity crimes.</p>
|
|
