§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the use of anti-personnel mines will be included in the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. [49338]
§ Mr. Tony LloydOur intention is get landmines universally banned.
The Statute of the International Criminal Court is still being negotiated. We support proposals for the Court to be able to try war crimes which are recognised under customary international law. Despite the signature of the Ottawa Convention, the use of anti-personnel landmines does not at present come into this category. But landmines, like any other weapon, might be used in a way that would contravene international law. Under the 580W proposals which we support this could well lead to the user being prosecuted at the International Criminal Court.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attempts were made by Her Majesty's Government to amend Articles of the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines to permit British personnel to assist members of the armed forces of a state that is not a party to that convention to lay anti-personnel mines. [49671]
§ Mr. Tony LloydNone.