Legislation / Legal
MoJ: The UK will not be a safe haven to those accused of heinous crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity & war crimes, Justice Secretary Jack Straw claimed, as he published amendments to the Coroners and Justice Bill law last week.
Exceptionally, the law will apply to crimes committed since 1991 - meaning that those involved in the genocide in Rwanda and in crimes committed during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, who may be living in the UK, can be brought to justice.
The Ministry of Justice has also published its formal response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the UK law on genocide (and related crimes) and redress for torture.
Press release ~ MoJ: Coroners and Justice Bill ~ Government response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights ~ Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09
MoD: The MoD has announced that the Armed Forces Act 2006 came into force on 31 October 2009 to replace the current single Service Discipline Acts. The new single, harmonised & modernised system of Service law will apply to the personnel of all 3 Services wherever they are serving. It will also apply to some civilians who are posted overseas.
The main aim of the 2006 Act is to support operational effectiveness, through:
• the establishment of a single system of Service law
• a common range of offences capable of being heard summarily by commanding officers
• a single Court Martial system, including the establishment of a Service Prosecuting Authority
