MPs have passed a historic motion calling on the UK Government ‘to make an immediate referral to the UN Security Council with a view to conferring jurisdiction upon the International Criminal Court.’
After three hours of impassioned speeches and debate, the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion by 278 to 0.
Fiona Bruce MP, a Patron of the CCF and Chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, moved the motion before the House of Commons for a debate and vote this afternoon.
Speaking before a House filled with MPs eager to speak from across the benches, the Member of Parliament for Congleton said: "Recognition of genocide brings with it obligations on the part of the international community to prevent, punish and protect. It initiates the process leading to the prosecution of perpetrators. It makes it more likely that guilty individuals will be punished. It should therefore help inject further momentum into the international efforts to stop the killings."
The debate also saw significant contributions from other CCF patrons and Conservative MPs. Nusrat Ghani MP highlighted the destruction Daesh has caused to countless communities and agreed with Michael Tomlinson MP that a vote in favour of the motion would send a clear message to the Government and the international community.
Sir Edward Leigh MP argued that it is the Government's duty to accept Daesh's actions as genocide and refer cases to the UN Security Council. Likewise, the CCF's Founder and former Chairman David Burrowes MP, urged the Government to take into account of the vote in order to ensure perpetrators of genocide be held accountable.
Caroline Ansell MP expressed her sympathies and support for the victims of Daesh, and said that these heinous acts ought to be called what they are: Genocide. Moving testmonies and evidence heard by the House led Jeremy Lefroy MP to question "if not now, then when?"
The UK Government, unless it refuses Parliament’s decision, must now draft a motion to go before the UN Security Council, to the effect that the International Criminal Court can begin proceedings against Daesh fighters accused of committing genocidal acts. The motion should then be voted on by the UN Security Council, requiring a unanimous vote.