Overview

• The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) reports that none of the estimated 425 British ISIS fighters who returned to the UK have been prosecuted for international crimes committed in Syria and Iraq.
• Current UK laws restrict prosecution of war crimes and genocide to nationals, residents, or service personnel, creating significant legal obstacles.
• The JCHR recommends amending the Crime and Policing Bill to enable UK courts to try individuals suspected of international crimes regardless of their residency or citizenship status.
• The report calls for improved coordination between the Crown Prosecution Service and police to preserve evidence and ensure accountability.
• The committee also demands the repatriation of children held in dire conditions in northeast Syrian camps to prevent future radicalization.