Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 June 2024.

UK National Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

Thank you, Mr Vice President.

The United Kingdom welcomes the Independent Expert’s compelling first report on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Increasing attempts by state and non-state actors to rollback or undermine human rights – not only for LGBT individuals, but also for women, girls, and marginalised populations – are deeply concerning.

This report rightly highlights the harmful impact of abhorrent laws and policies that uphold outdated views on homosexuality, expand criminalisation for simply identifying as part of the LGBT community, or persecute those who defend human rights.

We must be robust in challenging anti-rights campaigns across the globe. Today in Russia, anyone accused of supporting LGBT rights can face persecution or imprisonment. These are appalling attempts by Russian authorities to create a climate of fear and restrict the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

Mr Vice President, let us be clear: we are not asking for special rights for LGBT people, but for all people to be afforded the same human rights; the ability to live with dignity and respect, without fear of violence or persecution simply because of who they are.

The UK will continue to defend human rights and freedoms for all, and we reaffirm our strong support for this important mandate.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 June 2024.

UK Statement for Enhanced ID on Human Rights in Eritrea. Delivered at the 56th Human Rights Council.

Thank you Madame Vice-President,

The UK remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Eritrea, which is not improving with any sense of urgency.

We continue to call for the reform of Eritrea’s national service policy, by ending its indefinite nature; and the implementation of the Constitution, including its provisions for the participation of an elected legislature, independent media and a free and open civil society.

We also call on Eritrea once again to re-engage with the concerns expressed by this Council, cooperate fully with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, and engage with the support being offered by the international community so that progress can begin in earnest.

For our part, the UK continues to seek to engage Eritrea on its human rights situation, both through this Council and bilaterally, including to encourage implementation of the recommendations it has received through its Universal Periodic Review, as well as from the reviews carried out by the Treaty Monitoring Bodies.

If progress on human rights can be realised in Eritrea, we hope that this in turn may help to refresh and diversify the economic opportunities available to its people.

Dr Babiker,

We thank you for your report and reiterate our support for your mandate. Restrictions to the freedom of religion or belief remain a serious concern for the UK. What prospects do you see for a change to the current status quo in Eritrea, and how might this be encouraged?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 June 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on cybersecurity.

I will touch on three trends of importance to the UK.

First, as we’ve heard, ransomware can disrupt government functions and the provision of vital public services. This creates conditions for instability when occurring at scale or for sustained periods which, as this Council knows, can impact peace and security. Any state can be a victim of ransomware. This is why an international response is needed to constrict the ecosystem facilitating it and to enable all states to increase their resilience and their response capability. The UK is playing a leading role alongside Singapore as co-chairs of the policy pillar of the Counter Ransomware Initiative. We urge others to join the initiative.

Second, as the use of AI systems in our societies grows, we need to understand how cyber threats will change, whilst identifying opportunities for AI to support our cybersecurity goals. Malicious and irresponsible actors can exploit vulnerabilities in AI systems to induce specific behaviour or manipulate its decision-making. Maintenance of international peace will require AI systems to be secure by design. That is why the UK held the first ever Council debate on AI in our presidency last year, and it’s why we published “Guidelines for Secure AI System Development” alongside the United States and a cross-regional group of eighteen states.

Third, malicious and irresponsible actors are also able to take advantage of the growing market in advanced cyber intrusion capabilities, leading to a more unpredictable threat landscape for us all. The UK and France invite international partners to join us in the multistakeholder Pall Mall Process as we consider approaches towards this shared concern.

In that context, we must continue to raise awareness of cyber threats. We are, for example, very concerned by DPRK’s use of malicious cyber activities to obtain cryptocurrencies to fund their illegal weapons programme. This is why we need to redouble our efforts to ensure effective implementation of the DPRK sanctions regime.

And finally, cyber advances also increase the risks of disinformation. This is clearly a major challenge for our work. For Russia to accuse the UK of running a disinformation war is astonishing when their own disinformation machine has been so obviously and clearly exposed, including here at the UN. We were not the delegation who brought to the chamber and to the internet the conspiracy of weaponized bats and ducks. President, cyber threats will present an ever greater number of risks to international peace and security and governments need to evolve to address them effectively.

As part of this, the UK remains committed to upholding the UN Framework for Responsible State Behaviour and to working with others through capacity-building and enabling public-private partnerships.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 June 2024.

Ambassador Holland tells the OSCE that Russia must be held to account for the environmental damage it is doing in Ukraine; and that there is a link between climate change and conflict.

Session 2 (environmental degradation and conflict)

Chair,

May I start by thanking the CiO, the Office of the Co-ordinator, and all those involved in the organising of this event for pulling these informative panels together and convening us here in Valletta today to talk about these important issues.

We are glad that the Chair chose to hold this session which includes in its selected topics the impacts of environmental degradation stemming from conflicts. It is on this that I would like to focus a few short comments.  Russia’s war in Ukraine reminds us, every day, that conflict brings degradation and destruction into the natural world. The war has left scars not only on the urban landscape and on civilian infrastructure, but also on Ukraine’s environment and wildlife.

Last year we spoke at length about the environmental impact of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. Since then, missile attacks on the Dnipro plant have led to a massive leakage of petroleum products into the Dnipro River. And further coordinated attacks on Ukrainian hydroelectric power plants have affected Ukrainian wetlands, such as the Ramsar site Liadova-Murafa, which serve as habitats for important populations of waterbirds. Continuous shelling and explosions have rendered it impossible for certain bird colonies, such as flamingos, to breed. Bombing has also altered their migratory routes, posing a significant threat to biodiversity.

We cannot pretend this is not happening. To gloss over the environmental impact of the war would be to undermine the basic principles of environmental security. So the UK supports a continued OSCE focus on the environmental impact of the war in Ukraine. And as this event explores environmental degradation and its link to security, we must ensure that Russia is held to account for as long as its war of choice continues to damage Ukraine’s soil, water, habitats and ecosystems.

Thank you.

Closing session

Chair,

Over the course of today we have heard distinguished panellists discuss the links between environmental protection and security, including in the context of climate change. I would like to thank them for bringing clarity to such a complex issue.

As we have heard, tackling climate change requires international collaboration. Among many of the disastrous consequences of Russia’s aggression, it prevents us from making progress on this urgent issue.  To claim, as the Russian delegation did earlier against all the evidence, that the environmental problems they have caused by their invasion aren’t real, that the Russian state has somehow rescued the people living under occupation and that the main problem in the region is British armaments, is nonsense. The problem in Ukraine is Russian arms, Russian soldiers, Russian attacks on critical infrastructure and Russian environmental irresponsibility. And the narrative that the Russian state has to construct around the denial of this prevents us from tackling the problems.

Climate change acts as a threat multiplier on existing causes of conflict, by intensifying competition on resources and creating instability through displacement, with a disproportionate impact on women and girls. However, we must not lose sight of the possibility that our response to climate change can enhance our security. The Ukraine Recovery Conference last week highlighted the importance of developing renewable energy as part of a sustainable recovery in Ukraine. This in turn could lead to higher geopolitical resilience, including by reducing reliance on Russian gas.

Notwithstanding Russia’s aggression, the UK is committed to working with the OSCE to integrate climate and nature issues into wider cooperation on Euro-Atlantic security. We will enhance our analytical, assessment and foresight capacity to address the risks posed by climate change. And we will develop complementary approaches between climate and environment and conflict and vulnerability that recognise the underlying drivers of fragility for climate vulnerable populations.

As we look forward to the High Level Climate Change Conference tomorrow and continue our discussion on these issues, I am grateful to Dr Ziya Meral for his recommendations on how the OSCE can contribute to mitigating the security risks of climate change.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 June 2024.

UK Statement for Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report.

Thank you, Mr President,

High Commissioner.

It is two years since your office’s Xinjiang Assessment. Thank you for committing to its recommendations, despite China discrediting its findings. Which of the 13 recommendations are you prioritising in your dialogue with China?

We welcome your statements on Hong Kong, particularly noting that broad provisions under Article 23 legislation could further undermine rights and freedoms. We also call for the repeal of the National Security Law, and for the authorities to uphold their obligations under international human rights law.

In Ukraine, violations by Russian forces – including arbitrary detention, forced deportation and torture – continue unabated. Images of Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian prisons show appalling detention conditions. Russia must uphold international humanitarian law and end its aggression against the Ukrainian people.

In Russia, political opposition is punished, anti-war sentiment repressed, fear pervades society. Vladimir Kara-Murza must be released immediately.

We are seized with the appalling suffering in Gaza and the violations by Israeli extremist settlers in the Occupied West Bank. International Humanitarian Law must be respected, civilians must be protected, and famine prevented, by allowing lifesaving aid into Gaza. We call on all parties to agree the deal on the table in order to stop the fighting, end the suffering of the Palestinian people, and release the remaining hostages.

Finally, we welcome your report on the situation in Ethiopia.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 June 2024.

The British Embassy in Luxembourg hosted the King’s Birthday Party on Thursday 13 June 2024.

Guests at this year’s King’s Birthday Party included government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of Luxembourg’s vibrant business and civic communities. British food and drink were served throughout the evening, giving guests an opportunity to explore Britain’s culinary landscape.

A vintage double decker bus, Grenadier Guards and a special exhibit of two classic MG cars from the Luxembourg MG Car Club completed the theme of the night.

In her speech, Ambassador Fleur Thomas reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. Building on her long-standing relationship with the Mriya Ukrainian Saturday school in Luxembourg, Ambassador Thomas revealed that a special birthday cake will be donated to the school, to include the children in His Majesty The King’s Birthday festivities.

The ambassador also reflected on the achievements of the embassy and the evolution of UK-Luxembourg relations during her time here.

The Ambassador said:

The UK shares many common values with Luxembourg, and I am happy that we have built a close relationship with Luxembourg’s policy makers.

Ambassador Thomas thanked HSBC Luxembourg for sponsoring the event and for being a reliable and valued partner over the years.

Reflecting on the upcoming end of her posting in Luxembourg, the Ambassador also took the opportunity to thank the many people who welcomed her with open arms and supported her during her time in Luxembourg.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 June 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron attends the Gavi Investment Opportunity and African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator launch in Paris.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron will attend the Gavi Investment Opportunity and African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator launch in Paris today (Thursday 20 June). He will deliver a keynote address, which will be livestreamed on the Gavi website.

At the summit, Gavi will launch the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) and their 2026 to 2030 Investment Opportunity. AVMA, a 10-year financial mechanism, has been developed in consultation to support the commercially competitive manufacture of critical lifesaving vaccines in Africa. This will accelerate regional vaccine manufacturing and encourage the development of a sustainable African vaccine ecosystem.

The UK government has pledged the reallocation of £49 million towards AVMA’s launch, as part of Gavi’s successful recovery of COVID-19 funds to enhance vaccine equity and improve global pandemic preparedness. This will leave the world in a better position to respond to health emergencies and the next pandemic.

The Foreign Secretary will participate in a plenary with other delegates and meet with ministers.

The UK is a leading supporter of Gavi. Since its inception, the UK has invested £5.5 billion, helping immunise over a billion of the world’s children and save 17 million lives.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2024.

Sri Lanka Core Group statement. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

Thank you Mr President,

This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

High Commissioner,

Thank you for your recent report on accountability for enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka which highlights longstanding impunity for human rights violations. We call on the government to engage with its recommendations to address the suffering caused by enforced disappearances and its impact on all communities.

It is crucial that any new legislation developed and implemented by Sri Lanka, including legislation relating to counter-terrorism and online safety, fulfils its human rights obligations, including protecting freedom of expression for all.

We stress the need to safeguard judicial independence and the independence and transparency of the country’s legal institutions. While we welcome the release of land from the High Security zone in Jaffna, we remain concerned by ongoing reports of tensions related to land seizures in the north and east of Sri Lanka and by reports of arbitrary arrests, irregular searches, and ill-treatment in detention during police operations.

We urge the government to ensure that transitional justice mechanisms are independent, inclusive, impartial, transparent, and meet the expectations of affected communities.

Thank you.