Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 August 2024.

Ambassador Holland marks Ukraine’s Independence Day and condemns Russia’s efforts to eradicate Ukrainian identity through its illegal war of aggression.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Last Saturday we marked two milestones: 30 months since Russia launched its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 33 years since the Ukrainian people chose independence. The contrast between these two events could not be greater.

President Putin’s illegal war is a story of desperation and attempted subjugation, the latest chapter of which has been the massive barrage launched on Ukraine’s cities and energy infrastructure last night. Ukraine’s independence story, however, is one of values; of hope and freedom. Ukraine’s Act of Declaration of Independence received overwhelming support across the country. It received broad international recognition, including from President Yeltsin. In contrast, Russia’s war has resulted in sham referenda that received almost no international recognition. And because the Ukrainian people, and the majority of the world, stand united behind Ukraine’s sovereignty, its independence will endure, while this illegal war will ultimately fail.

Madam Chair, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, which is a violation of the UN Charter and OSCE principles, Ukrainians are fighting for their land and their centuries-old identity. Russia has tried to erase Ukrainian identity and culture through a systematic effort of repression.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian attacks have damaged as many as 400 cultural sites, including religious sites, museums, and other cultural property. Russian forces are believed to have stolen more than 28,000 artworks and artefacts from the Kherson Regional Museum. In May, a Russian missile destroyed one of the largest printing houses in Europe, Factor Druk in Kharkiv, destroying 50,000 books.

These attacks on Ukraine’s past and its present are abhorrent, but we are seeing evidence that Russia is also targeting Ukraine’s future. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken from their families, forcibly deported from their homes and subjected to targeted re-education in an attempt to sever their link with their homeland. The independent OSCE Moscow Mechanism report on this issue concluded that Russia’s actions constitute violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and, in some cases, war crimes.

Madam Chair, Ukraine’s culture is important in its own right but also significant for what it represents. Now more so than ever, it stands as a symbol of resilience and resistance. Ukrainian national identity burns brightly despite Russia’s efforts to steal artefacts, re-educate children and eliminate national traditions. And Ukraine’s identity – forged in the face of adversity and hardship – will endure. For this reason, I look forward to 2025, when we will again celebrate Ukraine’s independence, resilience and national identity, and I hope we can do so without needing to remark on another milestone in this senseless and illegal war.

Madam chair, before I conclude, we are deeply saddened by the news that a British national media worker has died following a Russian strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk. Our thoughts are with his family, and we join all those who are mourning their loved ones as a result of this war. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 August 2024.

British High Commissioner Neil Wigan pays first visit to Wajir County to discuss partnership and the impact of UK programming in the county.

• British High Commission team visited Wajir County 22 and 23 August.
• British High Commissioner announced INSPIRED programme to ensure quality education for 100,000 children and met beneficiaries of innovative cash assistance programme.
• The British High Commissioner and Development Director held meetings with Wajir County Commissioner and Governor, Mandera County Governor and the Wajir Women Council.
• The team also visited Wajir County Police Station to better understand the impact of UK-funded gender desks in tackling VAWG.

British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, visited Wajir County on 22 and 23 August, accompanied by Development Director Leigh Stubblefield.

During the visit, the High Commissioner met Wajir County Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo to discuss the UK-Wajir partnership and the impact of UK programming in the county, particularly in support of women and girls, regional peace and security and cash assistance to vulnerable communities.

On 23 August, the High Commissioner announced INSPIRED, our new flagship education programme. INSPIRED will provide quality education for 100,000 children in Wajir and Mandera Counties over the next three years, ensuring Kenya’s future generations can reach their full potential. He discussed details of this new and impactful programme with Wajir and Mandera County Governors.

The High Commissioner also spent time at Wajir County Central Police Station, hearing about the impact of UK-funded gender desks at Wajir Central, Giriftu, Habaswein and Bute police stations, which are helping prevent and handle cases of violence against women and girls in the County. Delivered through the UK’s REINVENT programme, gender desks offer a safe space for victims of sexual and gender-based violence to speak to specially trained officers, which has helped increase reporting rates by 57%.

UK funding through REINVENT previously helped establish the Wajir Women Council. At a dinner with the Council, the High Commissioner heard how the forum had ensured women’s voices were heard at the political and leadership level in the county, how it had helped transform how cases of violence against women and girls are handled, and its role in peacebuilding.

With partners in the Boma Consortium, the team met beneficiaries of the UK-Government of Kenya cash transfer programme, provided under the Hunger Safety Net Programme. Residents of Wajir town explained how cash grants had helped them set up businesses and even a community level loan scheme, enabling them to support their families and establish a regular income.

Local partners in the UK-funded Borderlands programme set out to the High Commissioner how projects are helping provide education and skills development to women entrepreneurs, as well as contributing to women’s participation and trust-building initiatives in support of peace.

British High Commissioner Neil Wigan said of his visit:

Travelling outside of the capital, I am always struck by the strength of the UK’s partnership with Kenya’s counties and their residents.

In Wajir, UK support is helping tackle violence against women and girls, increase access to education and improve security and stability. I’m proud of our partnership with the county – we’re going far, together.

The UK-Kenya partnership is delivering real impact for Kenyans across the country, whether improving economic growth, local governance and stability, access to education and healthcare, empowering women and girls, or working together to ensure regional peace and security.