Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

The King’s Birthday Honours List recognises people who have given exceptional service to the UK abroad and internationally.

• Campaigner Bill Browder is knighted for his contribution to human rights and anti-corruption
• Keith Palmer and Andrew Steer are knighted for exceptional contributions to international development
• several awards recognise British nationals for outstanding voluntary and charitable work overseas

Eighty-four people have received awards for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List, including for contributions to British foreign policy and international development, as well as voluntary and charitable work.

Bill Browder, Chief Executive Officer of Hermitage Capital Management, and Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in recognition of his significant and sustained contribution to human rights and anti-corruption. Following the mistreatment and death of Mr Browder’s colleague, Sergei Magnitsky, in Russia in 2009, Mr Browder campaigned for the US Congress to introduce the Magnitsky Act, which allowed them to impose sanctions on Russians involved in human rights violations. Thanks to his work, the EU, the UK, Canada and Australia all have similar legislation that allows them to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in serious corruption or human rights violations or abuses.

Also recognised with knighthoods are 2 significant figures who have made major long-term contributions in the field of international development. Dr Andrew Steer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bezos Earth Fund, has been recognised for his leadership in sustainable development, spanning decades of service to the UK and internationally in multiple senior roles including with the World Bank and the World Resources Institute. Keith Palmer, the founder of AgDevCo, is recognised for his work on economic development in the poorest parts of the world, but particularly in Africa over a number of years.

Further information about recipients receiving knighthood level awards on the Overseas and International List can be found alongside the lists published on GOV.UK.

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:

At a time of intense global challenge, I am as ever deeply impressed by the exceptional work being done by individuals around the world.

I congratulate the recipients of His Majesty’s Birthday Honours this year and thank them for their dedication and service. They are a shining example of the impact the UK can have internationally.

The International and Overseas Birthday Honours list also recognises several other contributions, including awards to:

Professor Melita Gordon

Professor Melita Gordon is recognised for her outstanding contribution as an expert in the speciality of Gastroenterology and General Medicine, who has made ground-breaking advancements with a profound impact on global health, particularly in Africa. Her career spans over 25 years, during which she has led a multidisciplinary programme in Malawi, focused on understanding Invasive Salmonella Disease. Her pioneering research has accelerated the development and deployment of critical salmonella vaccines in Africa, protecting millions of vulnerable children.

Professor Gordon’s commitment to capacity building in Africa is remarkable, particularly in training scientists and clinicians. She has initiated and led several equitable partnerships, including an international gastrointestinal endoscopy network creating sustainable training-centres in Africa, supported by UK trust hospitals and professional organisations. This has saved lives through the implementation of therapeutic interventions.

On learning of her award, Professor Melita Gordon said:

I am both humbled and delighted to learn of this honour. The theme of Companionship feels very fitting – I am grateful for the many students, colleagues, and team-members, and for my family, who have been alongside as my companions in this work.

Jeremy Green

Jeremy Green is recognised for his outstanding contribution in 2 different areas: his impact in the UK life sciences sector; and his sustained service in support of the King’s Trust. Mr Green founded Redmile Group in 2007 which has grown into one of the largest life science investment firms in the world. While Mr Green’s outlook is global, Redmile is a significant investor in the UK sector, including leading financing rounds for some of the UK’s most impactful life sciences companies. He has also served on multiple taskforces focused on fostering growth of the life science sector and ensuring the UK becomes a hub for investment.  Mr Green has also served The King’s Trust for over 2 decades and remains heavily engaged as a Trustee of King’s Trust Group and the Chair of the King’s Trust USA, helping to lead its programme and fundraising work.

On learning of his award, Jeremy Green said:

It is a privilege to work with both the scientists and entrepreneurs doing vital work in the life science sector and our team at the King’s Trust who ensure young people from around the world have a chance to succeed. An honour such as this is really recognition of their work, and I am grateful to be part of both communities.

Dr Simon Batchelor

Dr Simon Batchelor, Director, Gamos Ltd, is recognised for his exceptional contribution to international development and innovation. ​​Over 4 decades, Dr Batchelor’s imaginative, often out-of-the-box thinking, has driven the development of transformative new ways to tackle some of the key challenges facing poor people in developing countries.​ Through his research, policy influence and community action, Dr Batchelor has been the driving force behind multiple transformations that have changed the prospects of some of the most vulnerable people.  This has included leading innovations to provide low-cost electric cooking, develop and use mobile money to drive economic growth, and the scale up of low-cost renewable energy, ensuring clean energy access to many.

On learning of his award, Dr Simon Batchelor said:

I am grateful that this award honours the small contributions that I have made, alongside various colleagues, to addressing the enduring problem of climate change and poverty injustice. I especially appreciate that it acknowledges the need for forward-thinking and creativity if we are to achieve a just energy transition to net zero.

Orysia Lutsevych

​​Orysia Lutsevych is recognised for her exceptional contribution to helping policy makers understand the evolving situation in Ukraine since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the start of the conflict in the Donbas, as well as her work in establishing the Chatham House Ukraine Forum. The Ukraine Forum is a unique platform providing insight on internal Ukrainian dynamics in key policy areas.  The Forum brings together politicians, practitioners, civil society leaders, academics and journalists to examine the political situation in Ukraine and has played a key role in supporting the response of the UK and the wider international community to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Orysia’s leadership has ensured the Ukraine Forum has had a significant impact with a systematic and energetic programme of research, round tables, talks and an innovative library of online digital material.

On learning of her award, Orysia Lutsevych said:

It is an honour to have the opportunity to bring better understanding of Ukraine to the UK and global audiences. I want to express my gratitude to Chatham House for making such an initiative possible.

Anna Cavell

Anna Cavell worked with tenacity and persistence for more than 2 years, unpaid and risking her own safety, to bring to justice perpetrators of conflict related sexual violence in the South Sudanese civil war of 2016. Her moral courage and refusal to give up in the face of resistance from dangerous vested interests and a sceptical international community, ensured that government soldiers were held accountable for their crimes. Her work set a precedent which continues to help address impunity for sexual violence committed by the South Sudanese armed forces. Her ongoing investment in South Sudan, philanthropy and entrepreneurial drive has had a significant impact on the people of South Sudan and brought great credit to the UK. ​

On learning of her award, Anna Cavell said:

Few believed the South Sudanese government would hold a credible trial, but an unlikely partnership between them and the survivors of the attack made it possible.  I’m happy to receive this award in honour of all the people who must remain anonymous.

Peter and Stephen Fleming

Peter and Stephen Fleming, Co-Founders of Kick4Life in Lesotho, are recognised for their outstanding contribution to social development and sport in Lesotho. The pair founded the charity in 2005 having completed a 250-mile sponsored dribble across Malawi, before launching operations in Lesotho in 2007. Kick4Life has since reached over 250,000 children and young people, with an exceptional track record of delivering health education and life-skills training, supporting and empowering vulnerable girls to end violence and exploitation, and building pathways into education, training, and sporting careers. As a charity, a social enterprise and a football club, Kick4Life now employs 50 people, with Peter and Stephen leading a range of innovative, high impact initiatives which provide young people in Lesotho with opportunities to transform their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.

On learning of their awards, Peter and Stephen Fleming said:

It has been a privilege to dedicate ourselves to building and running an organisation using sport to transform lives in Lesotho. We are thrilled to receive this award and we would like to thank the many people who have made vital contributions towards the success and social impact of Kick4Life.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

The text of the following is a joint statement by the Governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

We, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, condemn in the strongest terms the recent detentions by the Houthis of United Nations, diplomatic, and non-governmental organization staff.

We reiterate and support UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for the immediate release of all United Nations staff held in Yemen by the Houthis.  We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained and urge the Houthis to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian, diplomatic, and United Nations personnel.  These detentions represent an escalation by the Houthis, and jeopardize a sensitive peace process.  They are an affront to international peace and security.  All detainees should be released immediately.

We also reaffirm our strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, and our commitment to stand by the people of Yemen.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

My Russian colleague has asked for this debate in order to obscure a simple truth.

The situation we face today has one sole cause: President Putin’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. The problem is the presence of Russian weapons in Ukraine, not the reverse.

President Putin’s illegal war has caused misery to millions of Ukrainian citizens. In the last few months, he has intensified his campaign still further. He has increased Russia’s use of glide bombs against major cities, 3,500 in May alone – a step change in the threat to civilians. He has opened a new front against Kharkiv, which is still recovering from the 2022 invasion. And he is seeking to destroy Ukraine’s power sector, depriving families of heat, light and electricity, in the hope of coercing Ukrainians into giving up.

We heard last week from ASG Msuya that civilian casualties in Ukraine last month were the highest for a year. Much of this campaign is planned and delivered from Russian territory. Glide bombs hitting Ukrainian cities and missiles hitting power stations are launched from aircraft inside Russian airspace. Russia is mustering, equipping and commanding forces for the Kharkiv offensive from inside its borders.

President, Ukraine has every right to defend itself from these attacks, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Ukraine striking military targets that are actively threatening its territory, infrastructure and civilian population is not ‘escalatory’, as Russia has claimed, but a reasonable step to protect itself. Every country in a similar situation would do the same.

We remain resolute in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the UN Charter. And we will continue to provide support for its self-defence.

President, tomorrow, dozens of world leaders will gather in Switzerland to express support for a lasting peace, in line with the UN Charter. Russia is straining every sinew to stop them from going. But they know that the Charter is the basis for global peace and security, and that we must uphold it in Ukraine.

If President Putin truly wants to protect his people, that is in his own hands.

He could end this war tomorrow if he stopped his aggression and withdrew his forces from Ukraine’s territory. Again, we urge him to do so.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on tolerance and international peace and security.

Thank you, President, and thank you Special Adviser Nderitu, for your briefing.

Colleagues, we were very pleased to co-pen this landmark resolution with the UAE when they were on the Security Council, and we are also pleased that the Arab League welcomed the resolution.

I’ll make three points.

First, on the basis of the resolution. Resolution 2686 is underpinned by human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and the promotion of gender equality. These rights are interdependent, mutually reinforcing and all play a role in promoting peace and security. As a Council, it’s important that we acknowledge that respect for human rights is vital to our work in preventing and addressing conflict.

Second, on the relevance of this resolution. In conflict situations, as we’ve seen, religious minorities too often face persecution and intolerance, as experienced by the Yazidis in Iraq and the Baha’i in Yemen. Religious intolerance and persecution fuels instability, impacting both conflict prevention and resolution. However, when freedom of religion or belief is respected, and interreligious dialogue is promoted, we can build trust and understanding between communities, helping to secure sustainable peace.

For example, the UK’s Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme aims to increase the safety of 1.5 million citizens by supporting national efforts to tackle the root causes of intercommunal conflict in a manner that promotes tolerance and is sensitive to the religious identities of local communities.

Third, on the role of women. President, we know that women’s participation is crucial to sustainable peace, yet women face continued threats and violence. The Secretary-General’s latest report on Women, Peace and Security stated that, between May 2021 and April 2022, 172 women human rights defenders were subjected to reprisals for engaging with the UN. This is unacceptable. I welcome the Special Adviser’s reference to women, and we must all follow-up on resolution 2686’s call on Member States to promote women’s ‘safe’ participation. Acknowledging risk of reprisals is a major barrier to women’s engagement in political life.

In conclusion, President, we are committed to defending freedom of religion and belief alongside freedom of expression and gender equality. To overcome the forces of division we face today, that lead to the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict, the international community must implement the ideals of this resolution, helping to promote and uphold all human rights.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 June 2024.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the G7 Summit in Italy today.

Prime Minister Sunak congratulated Prime Minister Modi on securing a third term in the world’s largest democratic election.

They discussed their mutual commitment to the security and prosperity of both countries and saluted the strength of the relationship.

The Prime Minister said he was pleased that India will send high level representatives to the Ukraine Peace Summit this weekend.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

Fatène Benhabylès-Foeth, Permanent Representative of France to the OSCE, delivers the Joint Statement by the Informal Group of Friends of Safety of Journalists on the June 2024 Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media (statement delivered in French).

Madam Chair,

I make this statement on behalf of the Informal Group of Friends of the Safety of Journalists, which consists of the following participating States: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and my own country, France.

First of all, we would like to thank you, Mrs Ribeiro, for the exceptional quality of your work and our very intense cooperation during these three and a half years as OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. The quality of your reports and your firm and vocal commitment to media freedom, freedom of expression, democracy and security are greatly appreciated by our delegations.

The freedom of the media and the safety of journalists constitute commitments on the part of the participating States; they are nevertheless increasingly threatened in the OSCE area as evidenced by your latest biannual report. Our delegations note with worry the continuing deterioration of media freedom in some participating States. As you note in your report, national security concerns are legitimate, but we note with deep concern that such grounds are used by some governments only as a pretext to suppress opposition voices relayed by the independent media and as a way to strengthen state control over information. We fully share your view that media freedom is an integral part of our security, not adverse to it.

Madam Chair,

As we all know, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has a direct and particularly serious impact on media freedom and the safety of journalists. Since the beginning of the war, several dozen journalists have been killed or taken prisoner when performing their duty. State disinformation and censorship as well as the systemic and daily repression of independent media in Russia and Belarus have reached unprecedented levels, resulting in a media space largely subject to the state apparatus. We call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release journalists and other media actors imprisoned solely for doing their work, including in the occupied Ukrainian territories. We also call on Belarus to do the same.

Madam President,

It is with concern that our countries have observed in recent months an intensification of intimidation and violence against journalists and media actors in the OSCE area through disinformation campaigns, SLAPPS, and surveillance activities. These are major challenges for the future of independent journalism and public interest media, tasked with informing the democratic choices of our citizens in a pluralistic way. The increasing use of new technologies for repressive purposes against the media, including through artificial intelligence, is particularly alarming and deserves special attention of participating States. Your commitment and that of your teams on these topics rightly place our Organization at the crossroads of the challenges of the future of our societies.

Madam Chair,

We call on all participating States to take the necessary steps to implement the OSCE commitments on media freedom and the safety of journalists, as they are the cornerstones of our common security.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

Anne-Kirsti Karlsen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the OSCE, delivers a joint statement to mark Pride 2024.

Madam chair, I give this statement on behalf of Andorra, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, San Marino, Sweden, the UK, and my own country Norway.

We thank the delegation of the United States for raising the issue of Pride Month.

Promotion of human rights for all, and efforts to end discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ persons, is a priority for us. As OSCE participating States we have committed ourselves to the principle of equality, to combatting all forms of discrimination and intolerance, and to addressing and combatting hate crimes.

Last Saturday, our delegations joined others in proudly participating in the Vienna Pride Parade, where people came together to celebrate love and diversity, inclusion, equality and human rights. Pride continues to be an important annual event that celebrates LGBTIQ people and highlights the challenges they continue to face on the realization of human rights and equality.

All States, regardless of their political, economic, and cultural systems, have a legal obligation under international law to protect the human rights of all persons without discrimination.

Protection should include tackling a deeply concerning rise in anti-LGBTIQ sentiment across the OSCE region, often fuelled by mis- and disinformation. Some governments instrumentalize anti-LGBTIQ sentiments for domestic policy gains. Russia’s efforts in this area are particularly alarming.

Such anti-LGBTIQ sentiment has already led to a rise in reported hate crime, including violent attacks.

In my own country Norway two people were killed and twenty-one wounded in a mass shooting attack in 2022 that the police believe could have been motivated by anti-LGBTIQ hate and intended to target Oslo Pride. The suspect is currently on trial.

Madam chair, let me mention two issues of special concern.

Firstly, we know that LGBTIQ persons face specific risks during armed conflict, and Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion is endangering LGBTIQ persons in Ukraine. We encourage the OSCE Support Program Ukraine to strengthen LGBTIQ aspects within its ongoing activities.

Secondly, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) is in its 2024 Annual Review concerned about the backsliding in the promotion of rights for LGBTIQ people in the OSCE region, both east and west of Vienna. Cases of criminalization, lack of anti-discrimination legislation, and a rise in the introduction of legislation restricting the human rights and freedoms of LGBTIQ people are all deeply worrying. These undermine the robust, pluralistic democracies that allow for safe civic engagement from all persons.

Madam Chair, we call on governments around the world to repeal discriminatory legislation, take action to tackle and eliminate hate crimes and hate speech, prevent all forms of violence against LGBTIQ persons, and tackle structural and institutional barriers and biases that still limit the participation of LGBTIQ persons in all parts of the society.

The OSCE participating States agree on the importance of combating intolerance and discrimination against Jews, Muslims, Christians, and members of other religions and national minorities.

In April we stood united at the Malta Conference in the fight against antisemitism. Recommendations from the conference included the need for action plans, national coordinators responsible for implementation, police registration of hate crime, education, dialogue, and the need to tackle hate crime on the internet.

These recommendations could work as a source of inspiration for the next step in the fight against intolerance and antidiscrimination against LGBTIQ persons in the OSCE area.

It’s time to take our fight one step further.

Madam Chair, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics should never be used as bases for discrimination or abuse.

It is not about special rights, and celebrating pride is not an ideology. It is about having the same rights as others.

We must work together to create a world where everyone can live freely, without fear or discrimination, and have the freedom to love who they love and be who they are.

Thank you.