British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27

The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party). The bill would restrict any cession or transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) unless certain requirements were met, including the consent of the Chagossian people and an act of parliament. It would also see the UK remain sovereign over the military base on Diego Garcia.

British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27

Genocide Determination Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2026–27

The bill would enable the High Court in England and Wales, the Court of Session in Scotland and the High Court in Northern Ireland, to make preliminary determinations on whether a genocide is occurring overseas, or if there is deemed to be a serious risk of one occurring. The bill would require the government to refer the preliminary determination to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice.

Genocide Determination Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2026–27

Armed Forces Bill: HL Bill 36 of 2026–27

The primary purpose of the Armed Forces Bill is to renew the Armed Forces Act 2006, continuing in force the main legislation governing the armed forces for a further five years. However, the government has stated the bill also provides an opportunity to renew the nation’s contract with the armed forces, strengthen national security, improve conditions of service, and introduce a package of measures relating to the service justice system.

Armed Forces Bill: HL Bill 36 of 2026–27

  • In Focus

    Convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine

    The UK is a signatory to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission would assess claims for compensation for damage and losses caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has broadly welcomed the convention, but also raised concerns about the scope and efficacy of the commission.

  • Research Briefing

    National Security (State Threats) Bill: HL Bill 35 of 2026–27

    The National Security (State Threats) Bill would create new powers for the home secretary to designate bodies engaged in state threat activity, equivalent to the proscription of terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The bill would create three new offences associated with designation of supporting, assisting, or receiving material benefit from a designated body. These offences would carry sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

  • In Focus

    Bosnia and Herzegovina: Political and security situation

    Recent tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have raised concerns about stability and security in the country, particularly due to reports of external influence and recent secessionist rhetoric in Republika Srpska. This briefing outlines recent developments, international responses and the UK government’s position on Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of a House of Lords debate on the subject.

  • In Focus

    Protecting populations from atrocity crimes

    The UK is required to contribute towards the prevention of atrocity crimes globally. Successive UK governments have used various mechanisms aimed at preventing mass atrocities. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised in recent years regarding the continued occurrence of large-scale violence worldwide. This has prompted some parliamentarians and external stakeholders to call on the government to do more to prevent such atrocities.

  • In Focus

    UK civil preparedness for war: Government strategy

    The UK government strategy is to take a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to national security and to homeland resilience and preparedness. It has pledged to develop a new ‘social contract’ between the government and the British people, beginning with a new national conversation about the threats facing the UK. The government published several strategies in 2025, which set out its approach to strengthening civil preparedness. However, concerns have been expressed about the progress being made on these strategies.

  • In Focus

    Imran Khan: Rights and welfare during his imprisonment

    The former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was arrested and imprisoned in 2023 on charges including corruption. Mr Khan has denied these charges. Concerns have been raised by Mr Khan’s family and supporters regarding his rights and welfare during his ongoing incarceration. The UK government has said that, while judicial matters are for Pakistan’s courts to decide, the Pakistani government should ensure Mr Khan receives humane treatment.

  • In Focus

    The Arctic’s strategic importance

    The Arctic region has become the subject of increased international interest as rising temperatures, shrinking sea ice and expanding maritime access reshape the region’s strategic importance. Its natural resources, emerging shipping routes and its increasing role in military planning have drawn interest from countries including the United States, Russia and China. This briefing outlines views on the current approach of these three countries.

  • In Focus

    Treaty scrutiny in Parliament: Lords International Agreements Committee report

    The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has published a report on treaty scrutiny in Westminster. The committee described the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010’s framework for treaty scrutiny as a “weak and insufficient mechanism for securing meaningful accountability to Parliament” and called for it to be reformed. The government said it saw some difficulties in the committee’s proposals, but it was also “keen to work with the committee to help to mitigate or resolve, so far as possible, the issues which the committee has raised”.

  • In Focus

    International Women’s Day 2026

    The House of Lords will hold a debate marking International Women’s Day on 6 March 2026. This briefing looks at progress internationally towards meeting the UN’s sustainable development goal on gender equality. It also examines the impact on women and girls of reductions in UK and other developed-country international aid.

  • In Focus

    Transnational repression in the UK: Joint Committee on Human Rights report

    In the UK, the term transnational repression is widely accepted to refer to instances of intimidation, violence and harassment by a state against people in another state. Evidence has suggested that various countries, including China, Russia and Iran, have conducted transnational repression on UK soil in recent years. In its report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights explored the issue, its impact on human rights and whether enough support and protections are available. This briefing provides an overview of the committee’s findings and the government’s response.

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