End Starvation as a Weapon of War

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  Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Action Against Hunger UK.

  The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

  Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

  King Charles Street

  London

  SW1A 2AH

  October 2025

  Dear Secretary of State,

  We are writing to urge the UK Government to ratify the 2019 Amendment to Article 8(2)(e)(xix) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which criminalises the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in non-international armed conflicts. As you take up this role, we hope you will seize the opportunity to strengthen the UK’s leadership in driving international accountability for such crimes.

  The UK rightly supported the adoption of this amendment at the Assembly of States Parties in December 2019. However, the UK is yet to ratify it, and is therefore failing to implement its support to the ICC’s jurisdiction on this matter. At a time when starvation is being used as a method of warfare in so many conflict zones around the world - from the systematic denial of humanitarian aid to targeting food production and besieging populations - it is vital that the UK strengthens its commitment to ending these abhorrent practices.

  The UK implemented the Rome Statute via the International Criminal Court Act 2001. The Act currently only criminalises starvation as a method of warfare in the context of international armed conflicts. Ratifying the 2019 amendment would send a vital signal of the UK’s intent to uphold international law and to support global accountability efforts to ensure this is illegal in non-international armed conflicts, such as civil wars.

  Ratification would:

  • Reinforce the UK’s long-standing support for accountability and international justice

  • Further implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2417, which calls for action against the use of starvation in conflict

  • Bolster the rules-based international order and strengthen norms against impunity

  • Underscore the UK’s global leadership in protecting civilians, particularly the most vulnerable

  • Encourage other states to follow suit and build international consensus.

  We note that 21 countries have already ratified this amendment, including Germany, New Zealand, the

  Netherlands, and Spain. UK ratification would send a powerful message of resolve and leadership. Ratification

  will require primary legislation to ensure national compliance. Ratification is a necessary and timely step in

  aligning the UK’s legal framework with the UK Government’s stated values and international commitments.

  We respectfully request that the Government bring forward legislation to enable the UK’s timely ratification.

  We look forward to your response.

  Yours sincerely,

  Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Action Against Hunger UK.