UK and War Criminals: articles and reports
Over the years since the issue of war criminals living in the UK first came to public attention in the mid 1980s, a number of reports and books have been published by academics, journalists and NGOs (e.g. Aegis Trust and REDRESS) setting out the legal, moral and political issues and the cost to the UK if the government continues its long-term policy of impunity. Sadly, despite such analysis – best summarised by the late historian David Cesarani – no concrete action has resulted, only high sounding rhetoric by the UK’s representatives.
UN Security Council speech by UK Ambassador Lyall Grant 16 April 2014
Reports by NGOs on Rwanda and justice by REDRESS and the AEGIS Trust
REDRESS: Testifying to Genocide in Rwanda Oct 2012
REDRESS and AFRICAN RIGHTS: Extraditing genocide suspects from Europe to Rwanda July 2008
AEGIS Trust: 70 Years after Un Convention survivors call for justice in UK Dec 2018
War Crimes Act 1991
The War Crimes act of 1991 was the result of several years of highly divisive debate in the UK media, parliament and within NGOs and community groups – especially Jewish and Eastern European ones. The outcome was meant to close the loophole that prevented former Nazis, now living in the UK, from escaping justice. In reality, despite all the fine rhetoric, only two people were ever to be brought before justice as a result – and one was swiftly released due to infirmity.
Richardson: War Crimes Act 1991 Modern Law Review, 55. Jan 1992
The Guardian: Cesarani – Getting away with murder April 2001
War Crimes Act – campaign for changes 2007- 2009
It had taken into the 1980s and 40 years to realise Nazis could not be prosecuted due to legislative shortcomings; Yet history then repeated itself. After the failure to extradite the 4 Rwandan suspects in April 2009, it became clear another legal loophole meant it was impossible to bring to court individuals who had committed genocide before June 2001 or where the crime took place overseas but not by UK nationals. This was due to the UK signing the International Criminal Court Act. After a campaign in the media by a number of NGOs, the government finally amended the Coroners and Justice Act to allow prosecution of genocide suspects in UK courts for crimes going back to 1991 – so including the 4 Rwandan suspects. Yet 14 years and counting after the legal changes was made to close this loophole and finally result in the accused coming before justice no action has resulted.
HRW: Put genocide suspects in trial in Britain Nov 2007
Aegis Trust: Breakdown of nationality of suspected war criminals in UK June 2010
The Guardian: Our haven for war criminals Nov 2008
AEGIS/REDRESS: Briefing on amendment to Coroners and Justice Bill October 2009