International Organisations Department (IOD) is part of the FCO’s International Security & Institutions Directorate (ISID).

International Security and Institutions Directorate (ISID)

ISID brings together the teams in the FCO dealing with the big multilateral security, human rights and governance challenges and the Institutions that deal with them. We are also responsible for delivery of two of the FCO’s four Policy Goals:

• Prevent and resolve conflict (DSO6)
• Develop effective international institutions, above all the UN and EU (DSO 8)

ISID covers a wide range of policy issues, such as human rights, sanctions, peacekeeping, conflict prevention, good governance and international humanitarian laws. ISID brings together the FCO’s work on major multilateral organisations, the UN, Commonwealth, NATO, OSCE, COE and ESDP. ISID leads the FCO’s work on the cross-Whitehall Public Service Agreement on Conflict. Under DSO 8, ISID also leads the FCO’s work on the Prime Minister’s International Institutions Reform agenda. ISID work closely with geographical departments and overseas posts as well as cross-Whitehall partners, International Organisations and NGOs.

IOD mission statement

• Delivering UK objectives in international organisations.
• Working for a more effective UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and NATO.

We will provide expert analysis and advice, in the areas we cover, in a professional and courteous manner. We will promote diversity and support flexible working practices in the department.

War crimes section mission statement: "A more just world through deterrence of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity."

IOD responsibilities:

• Formulates and co-ordinates UK policy on the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of War Crimes
• Policy on, and relations with, the International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court
• Policy on International Humanitarian Law, including genocide prevention and British (and International) Red Cross issues.

Supported projects

The International Organisations Department (IOD) comprises 7 sections, one of which is the WAR CRIMES SECTION. This section has supported a number of projects in Cambodia.  The objectives of War Crimes Section include support to ad hoc international criminal tribunals to help make significant advances in combating impunity while adhering to rigorous completion strategies.

Between 2006 and 2009 IOD funds have been used to support a variety of projects including a number with the US based East West Center (EWC) and the Berkeley War Crimes Studies Centre of the University of California, Berkeley. The EWC and the War Crimes Studies Centre have worked with local partners –the Centre for Social Development, Khmer Mekong Films and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on a series of films entitled “Time for Justice”. The films project aims to educate the Cambodian public about the ECCC, its mission, and the trials as well as the historical background to the Khmer Rouge genocide. The films have been shown across the country and discussions facilitated by a CSD working with a number of partner NGOs. The films and the radio broadcasts which CSD developed to accompany the films mean that we estimate over 500,000 people have seen the films or joined in discussions across the country. Television estimates show some 85% of the Cambodian population may have seen the films. They will be re-broadcast as a series by CTN beginning Sunday 24 August 2008. The EWC and KMF are beginning work together now with the ECCC on preparations for a 4th film on the first trial, which is scheduled to begin in late 2008.

We are also using IOD funds to support a Victim Participation (VPA) Project being implemented by the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam). The project aims to promote justice, contribute to national reconciliation, and to create a comprehensive historical record. The project also seeks to inform survivors of Democratic Kampuchea of their rights to participate in the now-functioning Khmer Rouge Tribunal and to help them register with the Tribunal's Victims Unit as witnesses, complainants and/or civil parties.

The EWC and the Berkeley War Crimes Studies Centre of the University of California have also facilitated a number of specialised training courses to ECCC officers including officers from the Defence Support Office, the Office of the Co-Prosecutors and to the Judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ECCC.