Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 November 2023.

Statement from special representatives and envoys for Afghanistan from Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, UK and USA after their 18 October 2023 meeting.

The special representatives and envoys for Afghanistan agreed to continue their regular consultations to develop consistent joint policies on Afghanistan and promote coherent approaches to the outstanding challenges facing Afghanistan.

Special observers at the meeting included representatives from Türkiye, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the OIC, UNAMA and UNODC. In addition, Afghan civil society figures participated in a preparatory virtual session, held in advance of the proceedings. Participants issued the below joint statement:

1. Acknowledged the dire humanitarian and economic situation that the Afghan population faces, with more than 29 million Afghans in need of urgent assistance; focused on the need to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis and reiterated their call on the Taliban to ensure unhindered access for all humanitarian aid workers, both men and women, to perform their jobs effectively in all areas of the country, with an emphasis on the need to serve vulnerable populations who cannot be reached without the employment of women.
2. Highlighted the substantial humanitarian assistance provided for Afghanistan from their respective governments and organizations, which, according to UNOCHA, totals roughly US$6.3 billion since August 2021, representing about 74% of all humanitarian aid contributions made to Afghanistan since that time; noted, however, that humanitarian aid levels are dropping while needs are not; and emphasized the need for monitoring of aid for robust donor support to continue.
3. Expressed their support to the population recently hit by devastating earthquakes in Western Afghanistan; and affirmed commitments by group members to provide assistance to the affected communities and coordinate their efforts for an effective response to the most urgent needs. An additional amount of US$33 million aid in support of earthquake-hit areas has already been decided by their respective governments and organisations, more assistance is in the planning stages.
4. Acknowledged that support for humanitarian aid, while essential, does not address the underlying causes of Afghanistan’s deteriorating macro-economic situation; recalled the Taliban’s responsibility for the deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation, as well as their responsibility for the recovery of the country and the improvement of the economic situation; called for expanding donors support to basic needs assistance, private sector growth initiatives, women’s empowerment efforts and livelihoods generation; and noted the importance of multilateral development banks playing a leading role in this effort, including through drawing on own-bank financing to complement continuing bilateral contributions. The amount of resources already provided by their respective governments and organisations since August 2021 in support of basic human needs and livelihood totals approximately US$2.1 billion.
5. Expressed grave concern for the human rights situation in Afghanistan; and reiterated their firm belief that the Taliban’s policies excluding women and girls from social, economic, political and cultural life in Afghanistan, including restrictions on education and employment, violate the rights of Afghans and international obligations, deeply undermine the economy and affect the prospect of the country’s development and long-term stability. Welcomed the reports by UNAMA and by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and noted the willingness of the Taliban to allow access to the country to the Special Rapporteur and to engage with both.
6. Called on the Taliban to reverse their restrictive educational policies immediately; and affirmed that education is a human right and that equal access to quality education, based on curricula that meet international standards and that cover various areas of knowledge should be ensured for all.
7. Noted with regret that the Taliban has taken no serious steps to initiate an inclusive political process with fellow Afghans regarding the future order of the country; and affirmed that legitimacy is derived, first and foremost, from the Afghan people. Emphasized that a new constitution for the country should only be adopted following a transparent, inclusive, and meaningful national consultative dialogue and urged the Taliban and other Afghans to seek advice from the UN and OIC in this regard.
8. Welcomed the implementation of the Taliban’s ban on opium cultivation in Afghanistan and the roughly 80% drop in the opium harvest across the country this year; called for this ban to continue and for additional steps to be taken to address synthetic drug production and drug trafficking; welcomed the establishment by UNAMA of a Technical Working Group on counternarcotics and other initiatives that could allow for engagement with the Taliban on these issues, including alternative livelihoods and the challenges of substance abuse in the country.
9. Urged greater attention to Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change; and called for creative, sustainable solutions to the grave environmental challenges facing the country.
10. Acknowledged Taliban actions to tackle terrorist threats from ISIS-K but expressed concern that some terrorist groups still reside safely inside Afghanistan and are able to plan and carry out cross-border terrorist strikes.
11. Urged all states, including Afghanistan’s neighbours, to uphold their applicable obligations with respect to the protection of refugees and to promote the right to seek asylum, and to ensure individuals, particularly those from at risk groups, who would face persecution or torture if returned, are protected from being forcibly returned, and call on these states to put in place measures to develop a system of registration for undocumented Afghans, while ensuring protection for vulnerable Afghans in need of international protection.
12. Stressed the importance of international unity on Afghanistan, including on not normalizing relations with the Taliban and on support for respecting the rights of every citizen of Afghanistan, particularly the right of women and girls to education, employment, and public participation; welcomed the important work of UNAMA under the leadership of SRSG Roza Otunbayeva; looked forward to the UN Special Coordinator’s report on 17 November; and welcomed the UN Secretary General’s offer to host a second meeting of special representatives and envoys soon.
13. Expressed appreciation to Italy for hosting this meeting on Afghanistan.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 November 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian today.

The Foreign Secretary made clear that Iran must use its influence with groups in the region to prevent escalation. He said that Iran bore responsibility for the actions of groups they had supported over many years.

The Foreign Secretary also reiterated that Iranian-backed threats against people in the UK were unacceptable and must stop.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 November 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thank you, President. Let me join others in congratulating China on assuming the Presidency for the month of November and wishing you the best. I also thank Brazil for its excellent stewardship during October. We welcome the unanimous adoption today of the resolution renewing the mandate of EUFOR Operation Althea, and I join others in thanking Switzerland for its efforts as penholder on the text. EUFOR’s presence remains crucial for peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly with rising political tensions across the region.

I would also like to thank High Representative Schmidt for his latest report, which informs our discussion today.

President, the High Representative’s latest report paints a very grave picture. It outlines the divisive rhetoric and actions of the Republika Srpska leadership and documents the unprecedented rise in attacks against the Dayton Peace Agreement, Rule of Law, and the High Representative himself. In recent months, we have seen attempts to undo the very fabric and structures of the state, including efforts to undermine state and judicial institutions and calls for the separation of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Faced with this threat, the Security Council must make clear its full support for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and its structures. The UK takes its obligations under the Dayton seriously and we remain an active member of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board.

There can be no room for doubt: Bosnia and Herzegovina is, and will remain a single sovereign and multi-ethnic country. And we support the High Representative’s use of his executive powers where the situation requires it.

We also recognise the positive developments outlined in the latest report, including steps towards greater institutional functionality. We urge all parties to build on the positive momentum from the elections last year by working together and redoubling their efforts to deliver important reforms to enable progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic path. This will help to arrest the economic stagnation and democratic decline that threatens the country’s progress. We hope all parties will show the political will and courage to continue Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey towards a democratic, stable and prosperous future to the benefit of all its citizens

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 November 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland calls for the immediate release of those detained by Russia as part of its continued war of aggression against Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr Chair. As part of Russia’s strategy to crush dissent and incite fear amongst the Ukrainian people, it has carried out enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary detentions, and judicial harassment. Russia began its campaign when it illegally annexed Crimea.  These practices first utilised on the Peninsula, are now widely used in the Ukrainian territories temporarily under Russian control.

It is reported that since the start of Russia’s illegal war, Russia has detained over 20,000 Ukrainian civilians. Many are being held on politically motivated charges for peacefully exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Crimean Tatars and those who defend their rights have faced the brunt of Russian persecution.

In Crimea, the human rights organization, Zmina, reports that Russia is holding 186 political prisoners, including 21 in need of urgent medical care. Furthermore, the Russian authorities are illegally transporting prisoners thousands of miles away from their families and legal representatives to remote areas of Russia.

In 2021, Russia detained Nariman Dzhelyal, the first deputy of the Mejlis of Crimean Tatar People, and activist cousins Asan and Aziz Akhmetov. Despite international condemnation, the Russian authorities have maintained unfounded charges against these men, sentencing them to 17, 15 and 13 years in prison, respectively. Their ordeal has only intensified with Nariman and Aziz being sent to Minusinsk in Eastern Siberia, and Asan to the notorious Vladimir Central Prison.

Another victim of Russia’s barbarity is Serhiy Tsihipa, a pro-Ukrainian activist and journalist from Nova Kakhovka who was detained in Kherson and transferred to Crimea in March 2022. Serhiy’s relatives lost all communication with him, left completely unaware of his condition and whereabouts until he appeared in a Russian propaganda video. Last month, Serhiy was unjustly sentenced to 13 years in prison. With no access to him, his relatives fear for his safety.

The recent UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine found further evidence of the Russian Federation’s use of torture in detention facilities. Former detainees detailed harrowing experiences of “torture rooms” with pliers, knives, saws, and cutters. And we should not forget Dzhemil Gafarov and Kostiantyn Shiring who died earlier this year in Russian detention. Those responsible must be held to account.

Mr Chair, against the backdrop of this awful record of human rights abuses it is worth noting that this week – on 30 October – Russia marked its Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions under the USSR. We must do all we can to honour the victims of the past by fighting against oppression today. The UK calls for the release of all who have defended human rights and democracy across Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE region. This includes Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin, Maria Ponomarenko, and the three OSCE Special Monitoring Mission members, as well as over 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus.

All those detained on politically motivated charges must be freed, immediately and unconditionally. We will never tire of speaking out against internal and external repression of fundamental rights. Thank you, Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 November 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland reaffirms UK support for the OSCE human dimension and calls on Russia and Belarus to cease human rights violations.

Thank you Mr Chair,

Welcome back to the Permanent Council, Director Mecacci, and thank you for your remarks. And thank you for your leadership which the UK highly values. Against a background of worsening human rights and democracy indicators in our OSCE region and worldwide, the UK continues to regard the human dimension as a critical part of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to Euro-Atlantic security.

We continue to support you Director, and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in your work to support and encourage participating States to implement our shared Human Dimension commitments. From tolerance and non-discrimination to work on democracy, elections and human rights, ODIHR makes an important contribution to ensuring the OSCE lives up to the ambition we set at Helsinki to foster “peace, security, justice and co-operation” within and among our countries.

There is still much to do to realise that ambition.  Russia’s war affects hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians daily, including children, the elderly and the most vulnerable.   As the Moscow Mechanism reports demonstrated, Russia’s war also lies behind increasing repression of brave human rights defenders in Russia and Belarus.

We again call on Russia and Belarus to implement their human dimension commitments, to engage with ODIHR and the other autonomous institutions, and to cease violating and abusing human rights and undermining Euro-Atlantic security.

We put on the record our particular appreciation of your ODIHR’s monitoring of the dreadful, human consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.  It is vital that such grave human rights violations and abuses are recorded and addressed, including through domestic and international proceedings where appropriate.

Furthermore, we believe that strengthening democratic institutions and practices is a continuous process across the OSCE region.  The UK remains a stalwart supporter of ODIHR’s election observation work and calls on all participating States to implement outstanding recommendations made by you at ODIHR.

Turning to this year’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, we agree that the event was a notable success and commend ODIHR and the Chair in Office for its delivery.  As I said in Warsaw, civil society is crucial in giving a voice to the voiceless and holding governments to account. We must continue to listen to them.

Finally, looking forward to future challenges, we are in the midst of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another.  Artificial intelligence brings both huge opportunities and risks. This week the United Kingdom is facilitating an international conversation on artificial intelligence in the form of the AI Safety Summit. The UK believes it is vital to ensure human rights are respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of digital and AI systems.  New technologies must provide new means to advocate for, defend and exercise human rights rather than to adversely impact their enjoyment.

Thank you, Director, and I assure you of the UK’s continued support for ODIHR’s vital work on human rights and democracy. Thank you.