Laws against rape in war zones need to be strengthened following reports Russian soldiers have attacked hundreds of women during the invasion of Ukraine, MPs have heard.
A fresh international convention which would help “hold perpetrators to account” is being considered by countries, Foreign Office minister Vicky Ford told the Commons.
MPs heard current levels of prosecution for rape and sex crimes during conflicts are “woeful”.
Ukraine’s General Prosecutors Office is investigating rape allegations made against Russian soldiers.
One case involves a woman who said she was attacked by two drunk Russian troops who arrived at her home in a suburb of Kyiv and shot dead her husband before raping her while her son, four, hid in a boiler room.
Speaking in Commons on Thursday, Conservative MP Gareth Davies said: “Given the woeful levels of prosecution, there is clearly an issue in the existing system with the collection and recording of evidence and that is why Lord Hague of Richmond, the former foreign secretary, has called for an international permanent, long-term body for this to collect and record crimes around the world.”
He asked whether the British Foreign Office or other countries were considering establishing a permanent body to investigate the crime.
Foreign Office minister Vicky Ford replied: “We are working through the International Criminal Court because we believe that is the best way to take people to court for war crimes.
“Setting up a new body could take many years and we have seen from the experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo that the ICC can be effective in holding people to account.”
She added: “However, we do believe that a new convention is needed or a new international agreement is needed and that is one of our key priorities for this year, and it was a key priority for this year even before this hideous war started.”
The Government is working with international partners to strengthen the response to tackling sexual violence in war zones and “all options are on the table”, Ms Ford said.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said rapist soldiers must be brought to justice and called the reports of sexual assault by soldiers from Vladimir Putin’s army “abhorrent”.
Ms Ford added: “Sadly, rape in war is not new.
“Before the war started in Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary committed the UK to doing more to tackle sexual violence in conflict, including, but not limited to, its use as a method of warfare.
“We are working with countries and international partners to strengthen the international response. All options are on the table, including a new international convention that would help to hold perpetrators to account.
“The UK continues to act decisively with its allies to punish the Putin regime post-unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. And we will do all we can to bring the perpetrators of war crimes, including sexual violence, to justice.”
The Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Division has appealed for anyone who may have been a victim of a war crime in Ukraine or witnessed one to contact them.
The force said it is gathering evidence of alleged war crimes in Ukraine as part of an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Ms Ford added: “Our energy and assistance and resources are targeted on supporting the work of the ICC on war crimes, rather than trying to build a new tribunal because that could take many years, but other countries are doing similar things to the Met Police’s operations.”
