§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in regard to the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal, it is their policy that no amnesty should be granted to any person accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide; that the United Nations should not allow each of the states in former Yugoslavia to try its own war criminals; that the United Nations should appoint a new prosecutor with an established human rights record and the professional competence to manage war crimes prosecutions; that investigations, including forensic exhumations and identification of witnesses, should begin immediately, with UN protection and 38WA assistance; and that additional funds should be allocated to the tribunal to undertake extensive field investigations.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe have repeatedly stated our view that those who have committed or ordered the commission of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia should be held individually responsible for their actions. We have submitted to the Commission of Experts substantiated evidence of atrocities committed in the region. States have a right to try persons within their jurisdiction but all states have an obligation to hand over alleged suspects to the War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia if the tribunal requests them to do so. We have been active in efforts to find a suitably qualified candidate for the position of Prosecutor for that Tribunal. Investigations can be started as soon as the Prosecutor's Office is fully operational. We are keen to pursue the funding of the tribunal in the current session of the UN General Assembly.