"MPs have expressed alarm at the closure of the Foreign Office's international humanitarian law unit, warning it will impair the UK's ability to anticipate, assess and respond to serious violations of international law across multiple contexts."
"Starmer said the work would be undertaken by another team as part of a restructuring. However, he made no reference to the ending of the Foreign Office contract with the Conflict and Security Monitoring Project."
"The cross-party group of MPs asked how the closure aligned with the government's stated commitment to upholding international law and ensuring rigorous compliance with the UK's arms export licensing criteria."
"The trade union representing Foreign Office staff, the PCS, also challenged Starmer's claim that the work of the unit could be absorbed elsewhere, stating that senior leadership had predicted job cuts of 15-20%."
The closure of the Foreign Office's international humanitarian law unit has alarmed MPs, who warn it will hinder the UK's capacity to address serious violations of international law. Keir Starmer indicated that the work would be reassigned during a restructuring, but did not address the end of a contract with the Conflict and Security Monitoring Project. MPs questioned how this closure aligns with the government's commitment to international law and what alternative data sources will be used to monitor breaches. The trade union representing Foreign Office staff also expressed concerns over job cuts and lack of detailed plans.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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