Criminal Complaint Alleging UK Government Ministers’ Complicity in War Crimes made to Scotland Yard
London, 16th January 2024- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) have handed evidence to Scotland Yard in relation to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza under applicable UK legislation.
A meeting between ICJP and Scotland Yard took place confidentially at the end of last week and saw ICJP’s Investigation Unit hand over hard drives and evidence dossiers to Scotland Yard’s War Crimes Unit (SO15). The information was given to SO15 in response to the Metropolitan Police’s request for evidence of war crimes in Israel and Gaza.
In the dossier, evidence was provided in relation to senior UK politicians, including government ministers, as well as Israeli ministers and private British individuals. The names of individuals will remain confidential for legal reasons. The news comes following ICJP’s announcement in October 2023 that it was issuing notices of an intention to prosecute UK politicians, including government ministers for their complicity in war crimes in Gaza.
The complaint includes eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence of crimes including attacks on civilians, civilian property and infrastructure, including hospitals and protected cultural property, in addition to starvation and attacks on other humanitarian necessities. The dossier also includes photographic evidence that supports the allegation of the use of white phosphorous by the Israeli Defense Forces against civilians in Gaza, contrary to international law.
ICJP announced the news at a press conference that took place earlier today at One Birdcage Walk in Westminster. The press conference included explanations from Tayab Ali, Director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians and Head of International Law at Bindmans LLP and Haydee Dijkstal, Head of International Law at 33 Beford Row Chambers, who have been working on ICJP’s submission of evidence to Scotland Yard.
The press conference also featured a speech from Alice Hardy, a partner at Bindmans LLP. Hardy is working with Global Legal Action Network’s (GLAN) legal challenge against the Department of Trade and Business regarding their decision to allow the continuation of arms exports to Israel. The case is being undertaken by GLAN and Al Haq and is being supported by ICJP.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
2. ICJP’s October 2023 notices of intention to prosecute UK politicians can be found here and here.
3. For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, or to obtain photographs and footage of the event, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected]