Author: admin

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2024.

UK statement for the Enhanced Interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in the Sudan (with assistance of designated Expert). Delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

Madame Vice-President,

This statement is on behalf of the Core Group for Sudan – Germany, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Thank you, High Commissioner and Mr Nouicer, for your continued reporting on the situation in Sudan to this Council, and your engagement with the warring parties and other key actors to push for an end to the fighting.

Madame Vice-President,

We welcome the strong statements from the international community condemning the continued violence and supporting the need for accountability, including the latest resolution from the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which welcomed the establishment of the Fact Finding Mission.

The situation in Sudan is catastrophic.  No part of the country, or indeed any neighbouring country, has been unaffected.  We again call on the leaderships of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to stop the fighting, end the obstruction of humanitarian assistance, implement immediately the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, and start talking peace rather than waging war.

We will continue to support all efforts to silence the guns and achieve justice, particularly those by the UN, African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Sudanese civilians and other key actors, in the hope that Sudan might finally know a lasting peace and a democratic future, with full respect for human rights.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2024.

Anne Sherriff has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium in succession to Mr Martin Shearman CVO.

Ms Anne Sherriff has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium in succession to Mr Martin Shearman CVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Ms Sherriff will take up her appointment during September 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Anne Martha Sherriff

Dates	Role
2023 to 2024	Full Time Language Training
2023	Paris, Interim Deputy Trade Commissioner Europe and Country Director France
2017 to 2022	FCDO, Deputy Director, Europe Directorate
2014 to 2017	FCO, Deputy Director, Human Resources Directorate
2011 to 2014	FCO, Programme Manager, Human Resources Directorate
2009 to 2011	FCO, Head, Business Engagement Group
2007 to 2009	FCO, Head of Communications, Information and Technology Directorate
2004 to 2007	Dublin, Head, EU/Global Issues Section
2000 to 2004	FCO, Europe Directorate
1995 to 2000	Department of Trade and Industry, Fast Stream Graduate Programme

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2024.

Enhanced Interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Sudan. Read by Minister for Africa and Development, Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP.

Mr President,

Nearly a year ago, the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces plunged Sudan into a bloody conflict.

The human cost has been unbearable.

An estimated 12,000 people dead … thousands injured … almost 18 million facing acute hunger.

The warring parties are fighting in heavily populated areas, committing appalling acts of sexual violence, and recruiting mere children as soldiers.

To the Sudanese people bearing the brunt of these appalling human rights violations:  the UK stands with you.

Those responsible must be held to account.

This is why Britain helped establish the mandate for the High Commissioner and his Expert, as well as the new Fact-Finding Mission.

The African Union, United Nations and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have made valiant, and commendable, efforts to mediate.

The warring generals must demonstrate the political will to stop the fighting – now – and make space for democratic, civilian-led transitional government in Sudan. One with full respect for human rights.

Mr Nouicer, High Commissioner, let me end by asking: With the first anniversary of this conflict approaching, what opportunities are there for the UN to exert pressure on the warring parties to commit to a sustainable peace process?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2024.

Joint Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on South Sudan, as delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

Thank you, Mr. President,

This statement is on behalf of the Item 2 Core Group for South Sudan –Albania, Norway, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

We thank the Commissioners for their important report and their presentation today. We also thank the Government of South Sudan for its continued co-operation with the Commission, and for the Minister of Justice’s contribution to this dialogue.

Mr. President,

Reporting from the Commission, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and others show ongoing human rights violations and abuses being committed in South Sudan with impunity, as well as a deteriorating climate for civic and political space.  We share these grave concerns, and are also deeply worried by the lack of progress in implementing the Revitalized Agreement more broadly.

As friends of the people of South Sudan, we stand ready to play our part in supporting South Sudan’s path to peace, reconciliation, accountability, and full respect for human rights. The Commission plays a vital role in this regard, and our Core Group believes firmly that its mandate must therefore be extended in full in this Session, to ensure continued and robust human rights scrutiny by this Council, We will continue to engage with South Sudan in the hope that this extension can be agreed by consensus.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2024.

UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on South Sudan, delivered at the UN Human Rights Council.

Thank you, Mr President,

Let me start by thanking the Commissioners for their report, and their vital work which makes such an important contribution towards peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.  We also welcome the presence of the other speakers on this panel, including the Honourable Justice Minister of South Sudan.

Mr President we regret that the situation in South Sudan remains grave, according to a wide range of UN and other reporting. Civic space and media freedom remains severely restricted. Civil society actors face reprisals for exercising their right to the freedom of expression and sub-national conflict continues to provoke appalling acts of conflict-related sexual violence.

The UK is clear that the Revitalized Agreement must be honoured and fully implemented, including by establishing the Chapter Five transitional justice mechanisms intended to ensure accountability for violations and abuses. We regret that these institutions have still not been established and the Revitalized Agreement remains severely off track, including the recent failure to renew the Joint Action Plan for Armed Forces on Conflict Related Sexual Violence.

We therefore believe that there must be continued, robust scrutiny of South Sudan’s human rights situation by the Commission, and we call on the government to deliver on its commitment to ensure democratic elections, accountability and full respect for human rights in South Sudan.

Commissioners, Mr Volkmann,

What more in your assessment can the international community do to protect the role of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society in the run up to the 2024 elections?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2024.

Interactive Dialogue: High Commissioner’s Update on Myanmar. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

High Commissioner, we share your deep concern about rising atrocity risks across Myanmar.

Military airstrikes and the shelling of civilian targets continues to demonstrate a shocking disregard for innocent lives.

The systemic discrimination of the Rohingya continues. The Rohingya are denied citizenship, they are denied freedom of movement and access to services, leaving them vulnerable to human trafficking.

This suffering has been compounded by further restrictions on humanitarian access and the escalation of the conflict in Rakhine state.

The UK is grateful to the Government of Bangladesh for its continued hosting of nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees, and we remain committed to supporting those Rohingya until conditions are suitable for their return. Since 2017, we have provided over £370 million to Bangladesh and over £30 million for the Rohingya and other Muslim minorities in Myanmar.

Any returns of the Rohingya to Myanmar must be voluntary, safe, and dignified.

Accountability is paramount. In November, the UK with partners filed a joint declaration of intervention at the International Court of Justice, in the case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar. The UK also continues to support the collection of evidence, including by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM).

High Commissioner,

What more can the Council do to respond to the risk of further atrocities?