War criminals targeted

International efforts to ensure war criminals are brought to justice will take another step forward under measures in the Queen's Speech.

International efforts to ensure war criminals are brought to justice will take another step forward under measures in the Queen's Speech.

An International Criminal Court Bill will enable the Government to ratify the 1998 Rome Statute to establish an international justice system to put on trial individuals accused of crimes against humanity.

So far the statute has been ratified by 23 states, but 60 are needed before the court can be established in The Hague.

The main stumbling block has been the United States which has been determined to resist any measures which could see members of its armed forces put on trial by an international body.

The Bill will enable the law-enforcement authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to identify, arrest and transfer war crimes suspects to The Hague once the ICC is established.

It will also give the domestic courts powers to try UK nationals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

Separate legislation for Scotland will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament.