05/05/21: The UK government removed plans to decriminalise torture, war crimes, and genocide in other countries from their Overseas Operations Bill today!
From Amnesty International UK today (bolded text mine):
Thank you. Alongside 25,000 other Amnesty supporters, as well as countless other organisations and experts, you told the UK Government that whoever commits war crimes, torture, genocide and crimes against humanity should remain accountable – regardless of whenever and wherever they do so.
At the last minute the Government removed plans from their Overseas Operations Bill which would have decreased accountability for these crimes. This would never have happened without you, as part of wider public pressure. Thank you.
This is a significant relief, which we should take a moment to celebrate. The truth is though, the UK should never have come so close to effectively decriminalising human rights abuses. Already the UK Government’s international reputation has been damaged. The attack on our Human Rights has to end now before even more harm is done.
In parallel to this Bill, the UK Government has commissioned a review into the Human Rights Act – the principal Human Rights law in the UK which protects the right to life and our freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment among other rights.'
This is absolutely fantastic news and now the goal is to protect our Human Rights Act!
I am a huge supporter of Amnesty International UK and would encourage anyone who sees this to look into the organisation's work and donate (and you can do so through my fundraiser linked in my description)
