Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, has today voted for the violence being perpetrated by Daesh/IS in Syria and Iraq to be officially recognised as genocide, calling in Parliament for the UK not to ‘walk on by’ in the face of these atrocities.

Supported by 278 MPs, with no votes against, the backbench motion under consideration this afternoon stated:

That this House believes that Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria are suffering genocide at the hands of Daesh; and calls on the Government to make an immediate referral to the UN Security Council with a view to conferring jurisdiction upon the International Criminal Court so that perpetrators can be brought to justice

Earlier this year, the Newcastle North MP also sponsored an Early Day Motion in Parliament, which urged the Government to ensure the beheadings, crucifixions, shootings, burnings, other murders, torture, rape and extensive violence taking place in the region are recognised as genocide by the United Nations.

Speaking during today’s backbench debate, which was led by Fiona Bruce MP, Catherine said:

‘Every year, Members of this House sign the Holocaust Book of Commitment, making the pledge that that terrible genocide will never be forgotten.

‘I have personally signed a pledge that I will never walk on by. 

‘Does she [Fiona Bruce MP] agree that, today, we have the opportunity to make sure that none of us walks on by, as we see this terrible genocide unfold?’

The British Government has so far failed to acknowledge that genocide is occurring in the Middle East, on the grounds that such decisions are matters for the ‘international judicial system’, and not national Governments or other non-judicial bodies.

However, the International Criminal Court has made clear that it is currently unable to act – and to start to prosecute those responsible – as they do not have jurisdiction over Iraq and Syria. To do so, they would require a referral from Iraq and Syria – or from the UN Security Council, of which the UK is a permanent member.

This afternoon’s overwhelming vote in the House of Commons follows declarations by the United States Congress, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, that Daesh/IS is committing genocide against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria.

Catherine later commented:

‘I’m proud to mark Holocaust Memorial Day every year by signing the Book of Commitment.

‘This year I made a pledge not to stand by in the face of prejudice and intolerance – and I strongly believe we simply cannot look away from the unimaginable atrocities currently being perpetrated in Syria and Iraq.

‘Parliament gave a very clear message to the Government today that we must recognise what is taking place against Christians, Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities as genocide. They must now send a clear message to the international community that those responsible for these appalling crimes must be brought to justice.’