To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the protection of civilians from war crimes committed in the conflict in Syria.

We have a long-standing commitment to accountability for human rights violations and abuses. We will continue to press for the protection of civilians in the UN Security Council where we have secured vital resolutions to improve humanitarian access and seek accountability for chemical weapons attacks. These resolutions have also consistently called for an end to attacks on civilians.

We continue to support the UN Commission of Inquiry’s investigations into human rights violations and abuses in Syria. In partnership with other donor countries, we are funding the collection of documentary evidence for use in possible legal processes in the future. Last year the UK co-sponsored a UN Security Council resolution to refer all those responsible for war-crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, regardless of affiliation, to the International Criminal Court. Russia and China chose to veto this resolution.