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

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.

Convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine

  • 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

    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

    Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

    The UK will mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2026. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, a charity established and supported by the UK government, will organise and facilitate events and activities nationwide to commemorate the 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, the victims of other acts of Nazi persecution, and where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

  • In Focus

    Preventing mass atrocities

    The UK has a duty to punish and help prevent atrocity crimes like genocide from occurring globally. Successive UK governments have used various mechanisms to help prevent mass atrocities. However, concerns have been raised in recent years about the prevalence of incidents of large-scale violence continuing to occur around the world. This has led some parliamentarians and external stakeholders to call on the government to do more to prevent atrocities.

  • In Focus

    Humanitarian situation in Sudan: November 2025

    Sudan’s current civil war continues to have a devastating impact on civilians, with UN agencies describing the conflict as both the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and the world’s largest displacement crisis. Amid reports of ongoing atrocities in and around El Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region and continuing hostilities elsewhere, the UK has been involved in diplomatic efforts calling for an end to the conflict and has increased funding for emergency humanitarian assistance.

  • Research Briefing

    Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: HL Bill 148 of 2024–26

    The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill is intended to align UK law with an international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the 'high seas'. The bill would enable the UK to enforce compliance for UK craft with internationally agreed protections, such as marine protected areas. It would also set out requirements for UK-based projects collecting genetic resources.

  • Research Briefing

    Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

    The Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill would provide for the implementation of the UK-Mauritius agreement on the Chagos archipelago in UK domestic law ahead of the government ratifying the treaty. In particular it would end UK sovereignty over the archipelago and make certain consequential changes to nationality law, while also providing for the continued administration of the existing joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia.

  • In Focus

    Explainer: United Nations at 80

    2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. Established in the aftermath of the second world war, the UN was created with a mission of maintaining peace and security, and promoting international cooperation, with the hope it could help prevent another devastating global conflict. Since then, the UN has grown into a large transnational organisation with a broader remit, including promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. This briefing examines the composition of the modern UN and recent attempts at reform.

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