Genocide Determination Bill [HL]

A Bill to provide for the High Court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Court of Session in Scotland to make preliminary determinations concerning the undertakings made by the United Kingdom as a Contracting Party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (“Genocide Convention”) under international law; for the referral of such determinations to relevant international courts or organisations; for response to reports on genocide; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

31 October 2023

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would let the UK’s High Court (for England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and the Court of Session (Scotland) make initial determinations about the United Kingdom’s undertakings under the Genocide Convention. It would allow those determinations to be referred to relevant international courts or organisations, and it sets out how the UK should respond to genocide reports. In short, it creates a domestic mechanism to assess and respond to genocide-related obligations under international law.

Key Points

Establishes a process for the High Court and the Court of Session to make preliminary determinations about the UK’s undertakings under the Genocide Convention.
Allows these determinations to be referred to relevant international courts or organisations for consideration or action.
Creates a framework for the UK to respond to reports about genocide, aligning domestic action with international obligations.
Links England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland’s judicial processes with international genocide obligations.
Operates within the UK’s responsibility as a Contracting Party to the Genocide Convention must be monitored and assessed domestically.

Progress

The bill is currently at second reading in the House of Lords, having originated there. It will next proceed to committee stage for detailed scrutiny.

Who is affected?

The UK Government and its departments (e.g., foreign affairs and justice/ministry offices responsible for international law and genocide-related obligations)Judiciary: High Court (England and Wales, and Northern Ireland) and the Court of Session (Scotland) and their staffPotential victims of genocide and their families, and civil society groups advocating for human rightsCivil society organisations and human rights bodies involved in genocide monitoring and reportingInternational courts or organisations to which determinations may be referred

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Genocide Determination Bill - news

26 Oct 2023

The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this bill will make no further progress.

Documents (3)

Genocide Determination Bill [HL]

Briefing papersLords

18 Oct 2022

13th Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

Select Committee reportLords

14 Oct 2022

HL Bill 23 (as introduced)

BillLords

8 Jun 2022

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

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