Tuesday, December 18, 2007

House Of Lords’ Debate On Somaliland And Somalia.












Lord Hylton (Crossbench) asked Her Majesty's Government whether they are taking any action, either bilaterally or with their international partners, to prevent Somaliland from being drawn into the current situation in Somalia; and whether there is a tribunal competent to try persons responsible for war crimes in Somalia.

Lord Malloch-Brown (Minister of State [Africa, Asia and the UN], Foreign & Commonwealth Office) The Government support international efforts to develop a peaceful and sustainable democracy in Somaliland. The UK provides around £8 million of assistance to Somaliland, including supporting governance, democratization, health, education and reconciliation in Somaliland. We also encourage the Somaliland authorities to engage in constructive dialogue with the transitional federal government to agree a mutually acceptable solution regarding their future relationship.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that tries people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It is a court of last resort and will not act if a case is investigated by a national judicial system, unless the proceedings are not genuine. As Somalia is not a state party to the Rome statute of the ICC, cases would have to be referred to the ICC by the UN Security Council.

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