Category: Press Releases

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

Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon delivered by video to International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance members ahead of the launch of UK presidency.

Good afternoon everyone,

The United Kingdom is truly honoured to take on the presidency of this important Alliance tomorrow.

It is an immense pleasure to follow Croatia, and my thanks go to them, in particular.  If I may single out Ambassador Gras and Sara Lustig, for their excellent work on the future of remembrance.

We look forward to carrying the torch forward, with all of you, our 34 friends from around the world, taking vital steps forward in education, in remembrance and in research, to ensure the Holocaust, the darkest moment in human history, remains seared in our collective memory.

When we look at recent events, the hate against communities, and the attacks of October 7th last year, that fuelled further conflict in the Middle East, and the tragic loss of innocent lives, has also seen the global surge of hate, the global surge in antisemitism.

This demonstrates in starkest terms the need for the world to truly learn the lessons of the Holocaust.

The need for us to renew our vow: Never Again. And then do all we can to mean it.

The theme of the UK presidency will be ‘In Plain Sight’.

Because, let me be frank, the Holocaust did not take place in some hidden dark corner. It took place ‘In Plain Sight’.

We will bring into focus all those who played a part, be they perpetrators, rescuers, or indeed bystanders.

We will shine a spotlight on the circumstances that led to the Holocaust, and the nature of society that allowed the murder of six million Jewish men, women and children, simply because of the faith they followed, simply because of who they were.

With each passing year, what is factual is there are fewer survivors left to share their precious testimonies, to tell their stories directly, to educate.

It is therefore vital that their testimonies are preserved for future generations. And that we continue to protect the facts of the Holocaust.

The United Kingdom’s presidency of this important alliance coincides with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 25th anniversary of the Stockholm Declaration.

These anniversaries are of course a poignant moment for us to consider how far we have come, and what we have achieved collectively as an alliance.

It’s also an opportunity to take stock of the challenges we face today – historic challenges, but also new challenges we face.

So let me end by saying a huge thank you, to each and every one of you, for all that you are doing in helping us face these challenges together, and during the course of our presidency I look forward to welcoming you all to both Glasgow and London during the course of this year.

Thank you.

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

UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

Let me begin by thanking the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua for the presentation of their report.

The suppression of human rights in Nicaragua has been relentless. The climate of repression has led to shrinking space for freedom of expression and an independent media, as well as restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly.

Reports of arbitrary detention of political leaders and of members of the Catholic Church by the Nicaraguan authorities represent an unacceptable degradation of citizens’ civil and political rights. We further condemn the attacks against freedom of religion and belief.

The release in January of Bishop Álvarez and 18 other clergy from their arbitrary detention is welcomed. However, we are concerned that the Nicaraguan government has expelled these individuals from Nicaragua. The UK calls on President Ortega to fully respect the human rights of all its citizens and for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua.

We would welcome the views of the experts on how we can continue to urge the Nicaraguan government to re-establish democracy and the rule of law in the country.

Thank you.

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

UK Statement for Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan.

Thank you, Mr Vice President,

Special Rapporteur,

Let me start by reaffirming the UK’s full support for your mandate.

The Taliban’s disregard for the human rights of women and girls is unparalleled in the world. Two and a half years on, women and girls still cannot work. They cannot move, speak, or live freely. Girls continue to be banned from attending school above grade 6, and women from university. Women and girls have been arrested for not complying with the Taliban’s strict dress codes, many of whom have been deprived of their liberty.

This widespread and institutionalised discrimination is further compounded by household poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to basic services.

We also remain concerned by the increase in attacks against the Hazara community and we echo the call from UNAMA for investigations to take place.

The international community, including those of us here in Geneva, must stay committed to the people of Afghanistan. The United Kingdom continues to stand with the people of Afghanistan, particularly the women and girls and their families who are suffering because of the devastating situation of human rights and dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Special Rapporteur,

How can we best support you to continue to fulfil your mandate, particularly with respect to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan?

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

Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and the Overseas Territories David Rutley gave a speech at an Arctic reception at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Excellencies, Ministers, ladies and gentlemen, as Minister for the Polar Regions it is a pleasure to welcome you.

One year ago, we launched Looking North – the UK’s Arctic Policy Framework. Many of you were here to celebrate that occasion with us – and indeed, it was drafted with your support and encouragement. We are joined by some new faces as well. And it is right that we should celebrate the progress that is now underway to implement it – and to look ahead to what comes next.

Some of you will recall the UK’s first Arctic Policy Framework – published in 2013. Back then, we made clear that ‘respect, cooperation, and appropriate leadership’ were the guiding principles of the UK’s approach in the region. And I can say that those principles still hold true today.

Yet we also need to recognise that the Arctic region itself has changed – not just physically, but geo-politically as well.

Alas, we now know that the Arctic is warming up to 4 times faster than the rest of our planet – though it is less often recognised that this troubling headline belies significant regional variation that is even more worrying, with parts of the Barents Sea warming at 5 to 7 times the global average. Little wonder that in much of the Arctic, the number of wildfires has more than tripled since 2018, as summers have become drier and hotter, affecting livelihoods and endangering lives.

And of course, alongside Putin’s increasing militarisation in the region, we have witnessed Russia’s ongoing retreat from constructive international collaboration in the Arctic, as indeed is the case right across the board.

The impacts of these shifts are felt most deeply in the region, but these are not local problems. Far from it – what happens in the Arctic affects the United Kingdom, as its nearest neighbour, including our weather, and the profound impact that is having on the natural environment, including the migratory patterns of globally-significant species.

And indeed, what happens in the Arctic ripples out across the rest of the globe as well. So, we can, and must, navigate these challenges together.

Through ‘Looking North’, we re-set the UK’s approach to the Arctic to ensure that we remain responsive to these changes, that we can continue to play an appropriate leadership role, and that we can continue to build on the strong partnerships and collaboration we already enjoy.

So, let us be clear. The security and prosperity of the Arctic relies on the regional security that is now at risk of being eroded. What we need is low tension and high cooperation.

And as melting sea ice will make it possible for a wider range of state and non-state actors to access the region, the UK is committed to making sure the Arctic remains peaceful – and that includes intensifying work through the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Northern Group, the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable – hosting a roundtable for the first time last year – as well as through NATO, and indeed, the UK has wholeheartedly supported the process of NATO accession for Finland and Sweden.

Following the successful transition of the Chairship of the Arctic Council from Russia to Norway last May, we welcome the resumption of Council activities at a working level, without resorting to business-as-usual.

And we appreciate the hard work that has gone in to making this progress, because we believe it is in the long-term interests of all to sustain the Council as the pre-eminent intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation in the Arctic, and we are committed to the Arctic Council, through our role as a State Observer.

So, it is timely that my colleague the Minister for Science has recently announced new funding to support our Arctic engagement, on top of our investment of some £56 million in Arctic research funding over the past decade. That includes half a million pounds to support new opportunities for UK-based expertise to contribute to the work of the Arctic Council, new funding for an Arctic science partnership with Iceland, and a new £5 million Meteorology and Oceanography Capability Programme, bringing experts together from the UK, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough will make her inaugural Arctic science cruise to Greenland this summer. I have just had the immense privilege of joining her for a voyage to Antarctica and I could not have been more impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the teams on board and the capability she offers.

And, I am delighted that colleagues from British Antarctic Survey are here today – to show you more about the research they plan to undertake, and to give you a sneak-peak into the UK’s Arctic Research Station in Svalbard. And I am told they have even brought a responsibly-sourced chunk of Svalbard glacier to Whitehall as well for us to marvel at, so please do take a look.

We also know that changes in the Arctic open up the potential for new commercial pursuits – including opportunities to support the green transition. We are committed to working with others to ensure that these are managed safely, sustainably, and responsibly.

Last year, the UK took part last in the Conference of the Parties to the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement for the first time, as an Observer – and we will seek membership as soon as possible, because we are absolutely committed to protecting our ocean, to using marine resources sustainably, and to making the most of the latest science to help us manage it accordingly. This approach is paramount to making sure that the 4 million people who call the Arctic home can feel the benefits – the indigenous peoples and local communities who have been guardians of this important region for generations.

So, as I hope you can see, our new Arctic Policy Framework has already catalysed a new wave of work and engagement.

To help co-ordinate that I am convening a new Ministerial Group on the Arctic – and I am delighted that two of my Ministerial colleagues are here tonight – Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Science, and Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office. We have appointed James Jansen to a new senior diplomatic role leading on Arctic issues – expanding our capacity to engage with our Arctic Partners. Thank you, James.

And this April, I will be engaging on Arctic issues directly as part of a visit to Canada and Alaska. Before that, in March, the UK will be hosting, in Edinburgh, Arctic Science Summit Week – bringing together scientists from around the world to discuss new, strengthened, and enduring collaboration on Arctic research.

And I hope this will also help the process of shaping our collective ambitions for the 5th International Polar Year of 2032/33 and beyond – because it is important that we take the long view, and invest now, to make sure we have the science and research we need to underpin the decisions we will take in the years ahead.

So lastly, I just want to thank you for all you are doing to help make this critical decade for the future of the Arctic really count.

It is up to all of us to keep at it – and we to looking forward to continuing to work with all of you to see this through, so we secure the resilient, sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous Arctic we all want to see – for generations to come.

Thank you.

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

Foreign Secretary David Cameron gave a statement on the deaths of people in Gaza waiting for an aid convoy on 29 February 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The deaths of people in Gaza waiting for an aid convoy yesterday were horrific. There must be an urgent investigation and accountability. This must not happen again.

We can’t separate what happened yesterday from the inadequate aid supplies. In February only half the number of trucks crossed into Gaza that did in January. This is simply unacceptable.

Israel has an obligation to ensure that significantly more humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza. We have identified a series of bottlenecks that need addressing: Israel must urgently open more crossings into Gaza; eliminate bureaucratic obstacles; enable aid operations in Gaza; and ensure there is a robust de-confliction mechanism in place to protect ordinary Palestinians, NGOs, medics and others providing aid.

This tragedy only serves to underscore the importance of securing an immediate humanitarian pause. A sustained pause in the fighting is the only way to get lifesaving aid in at the scale needed and free the hostages cruelly held by Hamas.

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

They discussed concerted British efforts to hold the Russian regime to account for the politically motivated imprisonment of Mr Kara-Murza.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The politically motivated conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza is deplorable. Imprisoned on false charges by the Russian regime, Mr Kara-Murza is being persecuted for his anti-war stance and defence of human rights.

It was an honour to meet Evgenia Kara-Murza and Elena Gordon, who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of their husband’s and son’s case.

The conditions in the Omsk penal colony are threatening Mr Kara-Murza’s life and his health is deteriorating. He must be released on humanitarian grounds for urgent medical treatment.

Through diplomatic interventions at the highest levels, financial sanctions targeted at those behind his poisoning and imprisonment, and by raising his case on the international stage, we are sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this abhorrent treatment of one of our citizens.

Russia’s depraved treatment of political prisoners must end.