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PRESS RELEASE : 43rd Universal Periodic Review – UK statement on France [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at France’s UPR at the Human Rights Council.
The UK recognises France’s strong commitment to maintaining and strengthening human rights.

We commend France’s commitments to tackle human trafficking, to advance gender equality, and to address gender-based violence. We note that the number of female victims of domestic violence in France has decreased from 2019 to 2022. However, in 2021, one woman was killed every three days by a partner or ex-partner.

We recommend:

Developing capacity to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable people, including victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Improving access to justice for victims of sexual crimes and domestic violence.

Improvements to conditions and over-crowding in prisons.

Thank you, Mr President.
02/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : 43rd Universal Periodic Review – UK statement on Tonga [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 May 2023.

The UK delivered a statement during Tonga’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
I would like to start by welcoming the recent steps taken by the Kingdom of Tonga to promote and protect human rights including the ratification of the ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Furthermore the UK commends Tonga for their engagement with civil society to work towards ending sexual and gender-based violence.

However we were deeply saddened by the murder of Polikalepo Kefu, a leading human rights activist for LGBTI+ rights. We encourage Tonga to take concrete steps to repeal laws that sanction and discriminate against LGBTI+ persons.

We recommend Tonga:

Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and consider a national plan of action to end SGBV.

Ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and support the disaggregation of SDG Reporting data by disability by the end of 2023.

Ratify the Convention Against Torture, and strengthen domestic implementation by establishing a Cabinet Working Group.

Thank you.
02/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : 43rd Universal Periodic Review – UK statement on Romania [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at Romania’s UPR at the Human Rights Council.

The UK welcomes Romania’s continued commitment to the UPR. We recognise its efforts in developing and adopting cross-government strategies and legislation on human rights, including on tackling Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and anti-Semitism and xenophobia. We encourage Romania to focus on implementation and outcomes.

We recommend that Romania:
1. Improve equality of opportunity, particularly in rural areas and for marginalised groups, address income disparities and extreme poverty, improve access to inclusive education, and reduce social-economic exclusion.
2. Intensify efforts to reduce underage pregnancy, violence against women, Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, including by addressing the social attitudes that drive these problems.
3. Demonstrate ongoing political commitment to create an environment where minority groups, especially Roma and LGBT people, can be confident and open in their identity.
Thank you, Madam President.
02/05/2023
NEWS STORY : BP Announces Large Profits

STORY

BP’s has announced that their latest profits for the first quarter of 2023 are $5 billion (£4 billion) with a plan to purchase $1.75 billion of their own shares, on top of the purchase of $2.75 billion which were purchased in the previous quarter. The news has led to a number of political figures calling for BP to face increased taxation following the profit announcement, made at a time of hardship being caused by energy price increases.

Murray Auchincloss, BP’s Chief Financial Officer, said:

“In the first quarter, bp delivered resilient earnings and continues to execute against its unchanged financial frame. We are strengthening the balance sheet, investing with discipline to advance our strategy, and are committed to returning 60% of 2023 surplus cash flow through share buybacks with a further $1.75 billion announced for the first quarter.”

Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, said that he supported a windfall tax, saying “of course we want BP and others to make profits so they can invest but these are profits that they didn’t expect to make, these are profits that are over and above because the world price of energy is so high”.

Paul Nowak from the TUC said in a statement:

“These eye-watering profits are an insult to working families as millions struggle with sky-high bills. Oil and gas companies have been allowed to get away with treating the British public like cash machines. The government has left billions on the table by refusing to impose a proper windfall tax on the likes of BP. And even now ministers are refusing to take action to fix our broken energy market and stop this obscene price gouging. We could have lower household bills and an energy system that served the public, if government taxed excessive profits, introduced a social tariff and created public ownership of new clean power.”

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BP

02/05/2023
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 3 May 1923

3 MAY 1923

A court declared the result at the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency as void due to corruption of Hilton Philipson MP’s parliamentary agent.

The German Ambassador handed to Lord Curzon, the Foreign Secretary, a note embodying the German position on the matter of war reparations. The Government accepted the need for reparations and were prepared to offer the entire economic resources of Germany as a guarantee.

The press reported that the French Government were threatening to abandon the Lausanne Conference unless the Turkish troops massing on the Syrian frontier ceased.

The financial resolution of the Housing Bill was passed in the House of Commons.

02/05/2023
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 2 May 1923

2 MAY 1923

A large scheme to develop Singapore as a British naval base was announced in the House of Commons. [This project was completed in 1938 at a cost of £60 million, equivalent to around £3 billion today. It was abandoned by the British in 1942 but regained after the Second World War]

Sir Samuel Hoare, the Secretary of State for Air, speaking at the Constitutional Club in London emphasised the need for a national Air policy as a basic condition of Imperial defence.

Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach was arrested by the French Government and confined in a military prison.

The Caledonian Railway Bill passed the Second Reading in the House of Commons by 163 votes to 40 votes.

02/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : British Forces Cyprus contribute to HM The King’s Coronation [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 May 2023.

Soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment undertake a final inspection parade in Cyprus before departing for Ceremonial duties in the UK.

Personnel stationed at British Forces Cyprus, a Strategic Command overseas base, will be participating in the Coronation of HM King Charles III in London.

The ceremonial groups have participated in training in the UK, alongside other members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, before they represent The Sovereign Base Areas at the Coronation.

The Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus are part of the global network of locations, managed by Strategic Command, that provide UK Defence with a global reach and support the security of the UK, its allies, and partner nations.

Asked about the importance of the Coronation to those posted overseas, Commander British Forces Cyprus and Administrator of the Sovereign Base Areas, Air Vice Marshal Peter Squires, said:

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III is an especially momentous event for the UK Overseas Territory on Cyprus and all those who serve or support our work here.

Having conducted our own Proclamation Ceremony last September and with the Administrator being appointed directly by the Sovereign, we have a close relationship with the Monarchy as demonstrated by the many Royal visits we have hosted, most recently when Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal opened the Queen Berengaria School in January.

We are proud that British Forces from Cyprus have been chosen to participate in the Coronation, and our personnel and families will join the rest of the UK, the Commonwealth and globe in enjoying this historic occasion throughout the weekend of celebration.

02/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK hands operations at Wadi Seidna airfield back to Sudanese authorities after successful evacuations [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 1 May 2023.

Royal Navy, Army, and RAF handed international evacuation operations back to Sudanese authorities after leaving the airfield in good order.

The UK military’s evacuation Joint Task Force has handed over the coordination of evacuation operations at Wadi Seidna airfield to Sudanese authorities, after more than 20 evacuation flights.

The airfield, located to the north of Khartoum, had been the UK’s primary location for evacuating UK nationals and their dependents, with further flights continuing on Monday from Port Sudan.

While the final UK flight from Wadi Seidna departed on Saturday, members of the three services of the UK Armed Forces remained on site into Sunday to ensure the airfield was left in good order.

Members of the Royal Engineers carried out urgent repairs to the runway between flights, due to deterioration of the runway surface as a result of the volume of international flights, handing it back to Sudan’s senior representative in a better condition than when the UK took over the coordination of evacuations at the airfield.

Before departing the facility for the final time, the UK’s Joint Task Force Commander held a call with his Sudanese counterpart to thank him for their close working relationship, which allowed his team to safely conduct the operation to evacuate more than 2,000 people.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Yet again our Armed Forces are leading the way. I am extremely grateful to all our personnel, as well as the contributions of our international partners, including the US, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, who have helped ensure the safe evacuation of more than 2,000 civilians, including those from more than 20 other nations.

The dedicated work of all those deployed on this operation at short notice has seen the biggest and longest evacuation effort from Sudan of any Western nation. First in, last out. Defence gets things done.

Significant background work was required to ensure that people fleeing the current conflict could be managed with dignity, compassion and as much comfort as was possible in such an austere and challenging environment.

Speaking after his return to the UK’s Forward Mounting Base in Cyprus, the UK ground commander at Wadi Seidna, Lt Col Oliver Denning RM, said:

I am extremely proud of each and every member of the UK Rapid Extraction Task Force, who were operating in a high-pressure environment and in austere conditions, amid temperatures of more than 45 Celsius.

Personnel from all Services – in support of FCDO and Home Office colleagues – demonstrated an extraordinary level of compassion and care to enable the extraction of personnel aged between 5 days and 92 years, and of more than 20 different nationalities”.

As well as ensuring the evacuees were protected and had access to food, water and shelter, UK civilian and military personnel at the evacuation facility also distributed children’s toys, comforts and sanitary products.

The airfield underwent the first operational runway repair conducted by British forces since the Falklands conflict in 1982, and the mobile medical facility provided care to 130 people, including life-saving surgical interventions.

Major Mark Borley, Commanding Officer of 51 Parachute Squadron RE, said:

The works to the runway were conducted at night and in challenging conditions, but the team’s work provided a real boost to military aircrew confidence when landing, allowing our aircraft to operate safely and get vulnerable people to safety.

The work was hot and demanding. But fulfilling a role which for which we train hard alongside a significant number of other stakeholders was incredibly rewarding, particularly on operations and in support of vulnerable people. I am extremely proud of the team; their determination and professionalism was superb and their success has made a real difference.

HMS Lancaster remains docked in Port Sudan, where her crew continue to provide support to evacuees and officials.

02/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Canada announce winner of 2023 Media Freedom Award [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 May 2023.

Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr wins joint UK-Canadian accolade for extraordinary commitment to high-quality independent journalism.
- Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr wins joint UK-Canadian accolade for extraordinary commitment to high-quality independent journalism
- The newspaper continued to report, amidst a takedown of their website and legal threats to its reporters
- Signal of UK and Canada’s enduring commitment to supporting free and independent journalism
The 2023 Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award has been presented today to independent Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr for its extraordinary commitment to high-quality independent journalism. The newspaper continued to report, amidst a takedown of their website and legal threats to its reporters. This award signals Canada and the UK’s enduring commitment to supporting free and independent journalism.

Since its inception almost ten years ago, the online newspaper has been recognised for its unyielding commitment to high-quality journalism despite external pressures. The paper has stood their ground despite having their website blocked in Egypt, and its journalists, including Editor-in-Chief Lina Attalah, facing legal charges.

The award has been presented during the fourth Media Freedom Coalition event in New York, by James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Robert Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York.

Established in 2020, the Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom award recognises those who have championed freedom of speech and democracy. Mada Masr is Egypt’s leading independent media outlet and is known for its free news coverage in Egypt and across the wider Middle East.

James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, said:

“Today, more than ever before, journalists are on the frontline of the battle to uphold democratic freedoms and the Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award continues to recognise those who work tirelessly to promote and protect free speech.

“I’m delighted to honour the work of editor Lina Attalah and her team, who have upheld those ideals amidst significant pressure. I hope that independent media outlets around the world will take this as a signal that we will always support them.”

Bob Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York, said:

“Media freedom is central to democratic societies, and essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It takes courage and conviction to be among those on the frontlines advocating for our human rights and defending against efforts to undermine them.

“Today I am honoured to present the Canada-UK Media Freedom Award to Editor-in-Chief of Mada Masr, Lina Attalah and her team, who remain fierce advocates for independent journalism in Egypt and the wider Middle East.”

As the 2023 winner, Mada Masr joins former Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award recipients, Vietnamese journalist Pham Doang Trang, who was named as winner in 2022, and 2020 winner the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

Journalists who champion democracy and human rights need to be protected and continued coordinated commitment to ensuring media freedom is helping to highlight their brave work around the world, from Myanmar to Russia and Afghanistan.

The announcement of the third Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award comes ahead of UN World Press Freedom Day on 3 May.
02/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : 2197 people safely evacuated from Sudan by the UK [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 May 2023.

The UK has evacuated 2197 people to safety from Sudan, in the longest and largest airlift by any Western nation during the crisis.
- UK Government arranged extra evacuation flights from Port Sudan today (Monday, May 1).
- Follows end of UK evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield, near Khartoum, on Saturday evening (29 April).
- Total number of people evacuated is now 2197 (as of 17:30 Monday 1 May), in the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan by any Western nation
The UK has evacuated 2197 people to safety from Sudan, in the longest and largest airlift by any Western nation during the crisis, as the attention now turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts.

Further flights were expected from Port Sudan on Monday evening, supporting British nationals and others – including Sudanese doctors working in the NHS – who have arrived in Port Sudan.

In addition to British nationals, the UK has also helped evacuate 1087 people from other nations, including the US, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia.

The UK Government is no longer running evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield because of a significant decline in the number of British nationals coming forward and an increasingly volatile situation on the ground.

A UK team is now set up at Port Sudan to provide consular assistance, including to British nationals leaving by commercial routes.

Royal Navy ship HMS Lancaster is supporting evacuation efforts from Sudan.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

With thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff and military, the UK has brought 2197 people to safety from Sudan so far – the largest airlift by any Western nation.

As the focus turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, we will continue do all we can to press for a long-term ceasefire and an immediate end to the violence in Sudan.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Yet again the men and women of our Armed Forces have led the way. In one week, the RAF have flown more than 20 flights, deployed over a thousand personnel, evacuated over 2,000 civilians and helped citizens from more than 20 countries to get home.

HMS Lancaster will remain at Port Sudan and her crew will continue to help provide support.

The UK is leading diplomatic efforts for peace in Sudan, with International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell in Nairobi over the weekend, meeting with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto and African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to discuss the conflict in Sudan.

The UK Ambassador to Sudan was deployed to Addis Ababa last week (27 April) to support the UK’s diplomatic regional response to Sudan from the British Embassy in Ethiopia.

The UK is also exploring options to provide effective humanitarian assistance to people in Sudan, in close coordination with international partners, the UN, and NGOs. The UK is a committed donor in Sudan, having spent over £250 million in humanitarian aid in the last five years.

The UK continues to provide consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.

The safety of all British nationals in Sudan continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. The situation remains volatile and our ability to conduct evacuations could change at short notice.
02/05/2023