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Today we have published our Report “Legislative Scrutiny: Overseas Operations Bill”
You can read the report here
https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/3191/documents/29846/default/
You can read the report here https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/3191/documents/29846/default/
The Report concludes that the Bill does nothing to address the issue of inadequate, repeated investigations and instead risks breaching human rights obligations by introducing further barriers to providing justice for victims and preventing prosecutions for serious offences.
The Committee have made the following recommendations:
1. There is no justification for introducing a “triple-lock” statutory presumption against prosecution in cases where the MoD’s Service Prosecutor has decided there is sufficient evidence and that the prosecution is in the public interest.
2. MoD Ministers should stop using politicised and inaccurate language in relation to claims where the MoD did have a case to answer and in relation to the lawyers who take such cases.
3. The Bill breaches the UK’s international legal obligations under international humanitarian law, human rights law and international criminal law.
4. The MoD should establish an independent, skilled and properly funded service for investigations.
5. The Bill fails to incentivise the removal from operational duties of Armed Forces Personnel known to lack adequate self-control or the ability to make sound judgements so they can be given the support they need.
6. The Government must understand and reflect on how this Bill may damage our international standing and the reputation of our armed forces.
You can read our full report herehttps://committees.parliament.uk/publications/3191/documents/29846/default/
