Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Arria meeting on protecting medical care in conflict amid evolving threats.

Ten years ago, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2286, a landmark commitment to protect the wounded and sick, and the medical and humanitarian personnel caring for them during armed conflict. 

The United Kingdom was proud to co-sponsor that resolution. Yet attacks on health care continue to rise. 

The number of medical personnel and patients killed in conflict zones doubled last year, reaching record levels, with Sudan, Myanmar, and Palestine amongst the worst affected. 

We are also deeply concerned by recent attacks on medical staff and facilities in Lebanon. 

This anniversary must be used to consider how we ensure Resolution 2286 delivers real and practical protection on the ground. 

I will make three points.

First, the United Kingdom calls on all parties to conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including in relation to the protection of medical and humanitarian personnel. 

The UK is proud to co-sponsor a workstream under the ICRC’s Global International Humanitarian Law Initiative and to have supported the Australian–led Political Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

Second, all parties to conflict must be held accountable when they fail to comply with international humanitarian law. We underline the importance of transparent and timely investigations when health workers, humanitarian, and medical facilities are harmed. 

States must consider allowing access to independent fact-finding missions, conduct their own investigations, and share findings transparently. 

These steps are essential to ensuring accountability.

Third, as new technologies emerge, they must be developed and used in full compliance with international humanitarian law. 

The growing use of uncrewed aerial systems risks further endangering already fragile operating environments, particularly for civilians and medical workers. 

We have seen the grave consequences of misuse in contexts including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine.

Chair, access to health care is critical to peace and security. 

We must do more to ensure that medical personnel can deliver that care safely, in line with international humanitarian law.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

UK Statement at Estonia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Vice President,

The UK acknowledges the demanding security context facing Estonia, shaped by Russia’s aggression, persistent cyber and hybrid activity, and efforts to weaken democratic trust and societal cohesion. We commend Estonia’s continued leadership in upholding democratic values, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including its proactive approach to countering disinformation and strengthening national resilience.

We welcome Estonia’s continued progress on gender equality and minority inclusion. We also commend Estonia’s principled and sustained support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s aggression.

We recommend that Estonia:

1. Strengthens its response to violence against women and girls, including by progressing consent‑based sexual offences legislation and ensuring accessible, adequately resourced protection, support and justice for victims.
    
2. Continues advancing equality for LGBT+ people by strengthening comprehensive anti‑discrimination protections and improving the prevention, investigation and prosecution of hate speech and hate‑motivated crime.
    
3. Ensures that measures adopted on national security grounds remain consistent with human rights obligations – including freedom of religion or belief, freedom of association and the rule of law – while safeguarding the effective participation of minority communities in democratic and public life.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

UK Statement at Mozambique’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The United Kingdom recognises the government’s commitment to improving its human rights framework and acknowledges the challenges Mozambique faces, including insecurity, humanitarian pressures, and climate‑related impacts.

However, we remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses and disproportionate restrictions on civic and political space. Allegations of intimidation and violence undermine trust in institutions. A safe and open civic and political space is essential to democracy.

We recommend that Mozambique:

1. Strengthens the independence and effectiveness of accountability and oversight mechanisms – including the judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission – to ensure prompt, impartial and transparent investigations of alleged violations, including by security forces.
2. Continues implementing the national legal framework on internal displacement, with particular attention to protection and essential services for children affected by conflict.
3. Prioritises finalising a National Action Plan on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights by the end of 2026.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

UK Statement at Niger’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice-President,

We welcome Niger’s continued engagement with the UPR process.

These include efforts to advance and protect the rights of women and girls, especially in terms of access to essential health services and protection from gender-based violence, as well as steps taken to improve conditions of detention and maintain a moratorium on the death penalty.

We recommend that Niger: 

1. Continues advancing the rights of women and girls by strengthening laws to support survivors of sexual violence, including access to specialist health services, and by further deterring child marriage through the criminalisation of those who enable it.
2. Enshrines the abolition of the death penalty in law, in line with the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, and by continuing the commutation of existing death sentences.
3. Supports continued monitoring of human rights in Niger, including minority rights, by establishing the planned National Observatory for Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties and committing to protecting its independence.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Namibia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President,

The United Kingdom welcomes Namibia’s constitutional commitment to human rights, and encourages continued progress in delivering equal rights and equal access to services for all.

We recommend that Namibia:

1. Expands support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, improves access to justice and data transparency, and increases sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls in rural areas.
2. Establishes referral procedures for trafficking across the country, trains frontline responders, and openly publishes data on identified victims, referrals, investigations, prosecutions and support provided.
3. Promotes LGBT+ equality with anti-discrimination laws, accessible reporting and public data.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

The British Embassy Kyiv invites proposals from non-profit organisations for project work under the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) Ukraine, for the period from 01 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. The ISF Ukraine is building on the past 10 years of the UK goverment’s support to strategic communications in Ukraine.

In the context of the full-scale invasion, the battle in the information environment is more important than ever. That is why we are supporting the Government of Ukraine (Cabinet of Ministers (CMU)) to stand up a refreshed, central Government Communications system. It will put audience insight data at the heart of communications planning, to better deliver policies through effective strategic communications interventions for Government.  

The Government of Ukraine vision of this support is provided in the Annex A, covering gaps in needs and resource requirements. The project proposals should focus on the following (see Annex A for reference): 

• Objective 1. Enhance GoU capacity to collect, analyse and utilise audience-centric research and insight, to inform effective Strategic Communications planning.  
• Objective 2. Support GoU to plan, coordinate and convene communications output across GoU ministries, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Objective 3. Support GoU to deliver effective, data-driven national communications activity through paid-for and earned-media engagement. 

The project proposals should align with the Theory of Change: 

• If GoU have the capacity to commission and analyse audience research, then GoU can design and deliver tailored and effective policy-backed strategic communications interventions targeting key audiences, and counter hybrid information environment-based threats more effectively. 
• If coordination on communications between GoU ministries is enhanced and the strategic communication is delivered through a ‘one voice’, centrally coordinated function, then Ukraine will be in a better position to win the information war. 
• If GoU can develop and deliver data-driven, policy-led communications strategies and interventions, then domestic GoU policy can be better informed and implemented for the public good. 

The project proposals should cover the following outcomes/results (see Annex A for reference): 

• Outcome 1: A Research and Monitoring team, that successfully produces contextual analysis of thematic regular and snap polling, and emerging trends, is established and operates effectively. The Office’s work informs clear recommendations for effective messaging and communications tactics to Strategic Communications planners. This team will also lead evaluation for government communications activity. 
• Outcome 2: A One Voice Communications Team conveying and coordinating proactive and reactive comms planning across GoU ministries and agencies is established and operates effectively. This team will operate based on UK GCS best-practice principles and the processes of this unit will therefore be developed in conjunction with the CMU and the UK’s StratComms Adviser to GoU. 
• Outcome 3: The Government of Ukraine establish and implement policy-led and data-informed Communications Strategies aligned to support the delivery of the Prime Minister’s top policy priorities across owned and earned media activity. 
• Outcome 4: Ukrainian Government Communications frameworks and best practices are developed and adopted, building on UK GCS best practice and adapted to the Ukrainian context. 

Only non-profit organisations are invited to send Proposals. This call for proposals is open for International Organisations (IOs), International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local civil society organisations (CSOs), that can also apply in consortium of few CSOs. Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify the change that will be brought about. All proposals should make clear how they complement existing activities supported by other donors and international partners, and how work in the regions complements national level activity. 

The indicative maximum funding for this project is £1,500,000. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions; indeed, this will be considered a merit. Call for proposals is competitive and only one selected project will receive funding. The Embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection or provide feedback on unsuccessful proposals. 

The British Embassy Kyiv will carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process. 

Call for proposals is competitive and only one selected project will receive funding. The Embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection or provide feedback on unsuccessful proposals. If organisations are not contacted by 31 July, they have been unsuccessful in this round.