We’re seeing the most atrocity crimes since the Second World War: IBA Human Rights Institute lawyer
“The Atrocity Crimes Review: A Comprehensive UK Strategy for Atrocity Prediction, Prevention and Response” – a report by the Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes – called on the UK government to act as a diplomatic leader in responding to atrocity crimes.
According to a news release from the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), atrocity crimes include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
“It is imperative for the United Kingdom to resolve shortcomings within its laws and policies on atrocity crimes, given the rise of global armed conflicts and the existing challenges to the international rules-based order,” said Baroness Helena Kennedy of The Shaws, IBAHRI director.
“As we witness constant attacks on the international rules-based order, including from our friends and allies, the UK needs to show renewed leadership and galvanise like-minded countries to turn the tide and change the recent trajectory of too little too late responses and impunity,” added Dr. Ewelina Ochab, IBAHRI senior program lawyer. “The cost of doing so is little, but it can deliver a palpable change, and first and foremost save lives.”
The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes also asked the UK government to enhance support for its international legal mechanisms.
Atrocity crimes review
Supported by insights gleaned from UK parliamentary hearings, the 18-month independent review examined the UK’s approach to predicting, preventing, addressing, and introducing reforms in response to atrocity crimes.
“As we see the highest number of active conflicts and situations of atrocity crimes since the Second World War, prediction, prevention and responses should be a priority for the UK and other countries,” Ochab said.
“Prevention is our only hope to change the trajectory of the pain and suffering of victims/survivors globally,” Kennedy added.
The inquiry also delved into early warning practices, accountability, sanctions, and reparations.
Inquiry’s findings
The review acknowledged the UK’s legal, diplomatic, and institutional strengths. However, the review revealed a lack of a coherent, cross-government framework in the UK to ensure that an early warning would result in timely action.
The inquiry also identified systematic flaws in the UK’s efforts to incorporate international obligations into domestic legal frameworks.
“The report makes it clear that the UK is still far from where it should be to ensure comprehensive responses to atrocity crimes,” Ochab said.
Recommendations in report
The review culminated in 22 recommendations across four areas:
- state anticipation/prediction of international crimes
- state prevention of international crimes
- state responses to international crimes
- funding, resourcing, and allocation
Among other recommendations in the report, the review suggested that the UK government do the following:
- Create a reliable, equitable, comprehensive, and transparent framework for determining which situations would call for an assessment
- Make atrocity prevention a key domestic and foreign policy goal and a national security priority
- Empower the country’s courts to prosecute atrocity crimes independently of an alleged perpetrator’s nationality or residency
- Take action to fortify government leadership over the global sanctions regime addressing ongoing atrocity crimes
- Employ a cross-government strategy for atrocity prediction, prevention, and response
“Considering that the UK is already equipped with important diplomatic tools, adopting the recommendations of the Standing Group could help the UK to play a more proactive role on the world’s stage, including addressing atrocity crimes before they occur,” Kennedy said in the IBAHRI’s news release.
More on Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes
At the UK Houses of Parliament in July 2025, the IBAHRI, the Accountability Unit, and the Coalition for Genocide Response established the Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, comprising international lawyers, cross-party UK parliamentarians, and policy advisers.
Baroness Kennedy chairs the standing group, co-convened by Dr. Ochab.
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