Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown calls for Russia to end human rights violations and investigate the attack on Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov on 4 July in Chechnya.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I wish to add the UK’s voice to those who are again putting on record in this Council the litany of serious human rights violations in Russia. The issue of Russia’s repression of human rights is vitally important. It is important to the Russian people who face restrictions on their fundamental freedoms and it is important for peace and security in the OSCE region. Indeed this Organisation was founded on the recognition that the maintenance of comprehensive peace and security depends on respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.

In September 2022, this Council discussed the Moscow Mechanism report on “Russia’s Legal and Administrative Practice in Light of its OSCE Human Dimension Commitments”. The Moscow Mechanism report illustrated the horrifying scale of restrictive policies implemented by Russia over the last decade. These policies include repressive legislation which criminalises the dissemination of the truth, including the truth about Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people have been prosecuted because of these laws.

These policies also include direct attacks on media freedom. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Russian and foreign journalists have faced further censorship and persecution by the Russian authorities. All independent media outlets have been muzzled. Anti-media laws have left journalists facing harsh prison sentences. And to bring matters right up to date, just this week on 4 July, we have seen the attack on renowned independent Russian journalist Elena Milashina and respected lawyer Alexander Nemov in Chechyna. The UK strongly condemns this attack and calls on the Russian authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation.

President Putin pursues these policies because he fears that a free society would hold him accountable for the abuses his regime has committed at home, and restrain his ability to commit abuses abroad. The tragedy is that both Russian and Ukrainian people, particularly vulnerable groups including women and children, are enduring the worst effects of this repression.

I thank the OSCE’s autonomous institutions – particularly ODIHR and the Representative on the Freedom of the Media – for their vigilance in exposing the human rights violations being committed in Russia.

We stand united in condemnation of Russia’s brutal repression of human rights at home and abroad. We call on the Russian authorities to reverse this repression and to release all political prisoners including Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny.

I will end with a commitment to brave and tireless human rights defenders across Russia. Human dimension commitments are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all OSCE participating States– as reaffirmed by all participating States at the 2010 Astana Summit. In this Council and elsewhere, we will not stop raising the injustices you face.

Thank you Madam Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 July 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

Thank you to SRSG Salvador, Ambassador Biang, Ms Gilles and Prime Minister Holness for their briefings.

I also welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Geneus, Foreign Minister Álvarez and the representative of Barbados at this meeting.

As we’ve heard today, the people of Haiti are facing a dire humanitarian, security and political crisis. Gangs have taken over entire neighbourhoods.

There is killing, burning, kidnapping and severe restriction of movement.

We hear chilling accounts of the widespread use of sexual violence – including collective rape – by armed gangs as a weapon to instil fear into communities.

Nearly half the population are in need of humanitarian assistance.

We need to look seriously at what this Council can do to address the cycle of violence.

The UK recognises the Haitian Government’s calls for urgent international security assistance.

Today’s meeting is an important part of our discussion on the way forward, following the recent visit of the Secretary-General.

In addition to addressing the security crisis, the people of Haiti need political stability.

We welcome the recent CARICOM-hosted stakeholder meeting held in Jamaica.

We hope this regional support will encourage ongoing domestic efforts.

We call on all actors to engage constructively to prepare for the holding of inclusive, free and fair legislative and presidential elections, as soon as the local security situation permits.

To complement regional and national actions, we should ensure BINUH has the right capabilities to deliver on its mandate.

SRSG Salvador and her team are doing vital work in incredibly difficult circumstances.

We look forward to concluding our discussions on BINUH’s mandate renewal in the coming days.

The United Kingdom will continue to support the efforts of the Government of Haiti and the international community to address this pressing crisis.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 July 2023.

The UK, France and Germany (the E3) have given a joint statement to media following a UK-chaired UNSC session on Iran’s implementation of UNSCR 2231.

Today, the Security Council discussed the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2231, particularly Iran’s nuclear activity, missile development and continued weapons proliferation inconsistent with that resolution.

Iran has been in violation of its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), endorsed by Resolution 2231, for more than four years and its nuclear programme has escalated to dangerous levels. This is of utmost concern for international peace and security.

Regarding enrichment, the IAEA reports that the total stockpiles of Iran’s enriched uranium now stand at 21 times the amounts permitted under the JCPoA. Iran’s stockpiles of high enriched uranium at 20% and 60% are unprecedented for a state without a nuclear weapons programme. In March, the IAEA reported it had detected uranium particles enriched to 83.7% at Fordow. Enriching to such levels is a very grave development, inconsistent with the JCPoA or even the levels declared to the IAEA.

Regarding R&D, Iran’s activities already have provided Iran with irreversible and significant knowledge gains that the JCPoA sought to limit, as have Iran’s activities on uranium metal in the recent years. For the first time since 2009, Iran also failed to report a change in centrifuge configuration at Fordow to the IAEA.

Iran has no credible civilian justification for its continued escalation. It only brings Iran ever closer to weapons related capabilities. This is an issue of grave concern for the Security Council. At the same time, necessary steps – as committed to by Iran as part of the March 4 Agreement with the IAEA Director General – remain insufficient. They must be pursued in full, without further delay, as requested by the Director General in his latest report.

The Security Council has also today discussed key developments regarding Iran’s missile programme and its destabilising transfers of missiles and drones to state and non-state actors in the region and beyond.

Firstly, Iran continues to develop and improve ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran’s defence ministry announced on 25 May it had tested a missile capable of delivering a 1500kg warhead to a range of 2000 km. This is inconsistent with UNSCR 2231. A few days later it unveiled another missile with specification inconsistent with UNSCR 2231. Since its adoption, Iran has never stopped its ballistic missile programme, in disregard for this resolution.

Secondly, Iran endangers the region and the whole international community through its weapons proliferation to non-state actors. We have compelling evidence from repeated interdictions of Iranian weapons in the region that Iran has continued to transfer UNSCR 2231-controlled weapons to non-state actors in the Middle East. These transfers have not been permitted and therefore violate this Security Council resolution.

Finally, Iran has escalated its violations by transferring hundreds of UAVs to Russia since August 2022. Deliveries took place in the knowledge that Russia uses them to target Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. It has thereby knowingly supported Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Neither Russia nor Iran have ever sought authorisation for these transfers, which are therefore a breach of UNSC Resolution 2231 by both states. We condemn Iran’s continued disregard for its obligations under this Resolution, urge it to immediately cease this activity, and strongly caution Iran against any further deliveries or escalation of such violations.

In light of such repeated violations, we encourage the Secretary General to instruct the UN Secretariat to examine and report on the ample evidence of Iran transferring weapons, materials, equipment, goods and technology or related services controlled by UNSCR 2231 as it has done so on several occasions in the past. We would welcome a visit by UN experts to Ukraine as requested by the Government of Ukraine and supported by us and other council members.

We remain determined that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and must reverse its nuclear escalation. We are deeply concerned that against such dangerous dynamics, key restrictions of UNSC Resolution 2231, particularly on Iran’s ballistic activities and missiles transfers will expire in October. We recall that the restrictions of other relevant UNSC Resolutions will remain fully in place after that date.

We emphasise once again our determination to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis, as demonstrated by our consistent efforts in that regard. We urge Iran to immediately de-escalate its ongoing activities. Positive moves are critical to open space for constructive engagement with the international community and for renewed steps towards nuclear diplomacy.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 July 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Non-Proliferation.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 July 2023.

UK exporters are expected to win contracts equivalent to over £100m after UK Export Finance unlocks financing for historic road and airport upgrades across Zanzibar, Tanzania.

• UK Export Finance underwrites €422 million of financing – equivalent to £373 million – for historic upgrades to 103km of Zanzibar’s road network and to Pemba Airport
• UK exporters are expected to win supply contracts equivalent to more than £100 million for these transformational projects
• Infrastructure upgrades set to boost Zanzibar’s island economy, which draws around a quarter of its annual GDP from tourism

UK government backing has enabled a financing package of €422 million – equivalent to £373 million – for transformational infrastructure projects driven by UK exporters across Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The financing was underwritten by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency, and enables two major projects: a historic upgrade to Pemba Airport – the smaller of two airports on the Zanzibar archipelago – and improvements to 103km of roads which will support connectivity and prosperity across Pemba and Unguja islands.

UKEF worked with Citi to unlock €180 million in loans for the airport upgrade and with Deutsche Bank to enable €242 million in loans for the road improvements. These projects will be completed through strategic joint ventures, with Propav Infraestructuras leading and collaborating with Mecco Ltd.

The terms of UKEF’s backing mean that these major projects are expected to create over £100 million in export opportunities for UK companies. This is a significant achievement in the context of UK exports to the whole of Tanzania, which totaled £275 million last year. This development will be a boost for the UK’s construction sector in particular, supporting this government’s priority of growing the economy.

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for International Trade, said:

Good local infrastructure is key to encouraging businesses to invest and work with local suppliers. This deal will support crucial development across Zanzibar, unlock new opportunities for UK companies in Africa, and grow sectors that will create jobs and boost the economy across our nations.

David Concar, British High Commissioner to Tanzania, said:

I couldn’t be more proud of this partnership. Developing countries need access to affordable infrastructure financing from reliable partners – and that is exactly what this initiative will deliver.

It underscores the UK government’s commitment to working in partnership with Tanzania to support inclusive, sustainable economic development, including on the islands of Zanzibar. Congratulations to UK Export Finance, Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Government of Zanzibar and all other partners to the project for collaborating with such keen purpose to unlock this opportunity.

The works are a milestone in UK support for Commonwealth country Tanzania, improving land transport across Zanzibar and creating new horizons for trade on the archipelago.

Improvements at Pemba Airport will transform the domestic facility into a hub for international flights, which currently can only land on Unguja. By allowing overseas passengers to reach Pemba Island directly, the new project will unlock the economic potential of the second largest island in the Zanzibar archipelago.

The works are expected to substantially increase passenger capacity by extending the runway, adding new terminal buildings, and introducing other new infrastructure including a control tower. This will create opportunities for major new business and foreign investment in Zanzibar, whose vibrant tourism sector already contributes to around a quarter of the islands’ annual income.

The UK-enabled road upgrades across Unguja and Pemba – the archipelago’s two largest islands – will expand three major roads to four lanes each whilst fitting them with street lighting and additional paving. This is expected to reduce congestion whilst improving connectivity and safety.

Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, Minister of Finance and Planning of the United Republic of Tanzania, said:

I would like to emphasize the significant role that signing the loan agreements holds in financing infrastructure projects. These agreements will enable us to address critical infrastructure needs, boost tourism and improve the quality of life for our citizens.

By securing this financing, we can embark on vital infrastructure development that will lay the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future.

Hon. Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum, Minister of State, President’s Office Finance and Planning of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, said:

These loan agreements are not just a transaction, but a strategic step towards the realization of our nation’s goals and aspirations. This financial infusion will empower our government, fostering economic growth and enabling innovative ventures through completion of these two crucial projects.

Cristiano Becker Hees, Financial Structuring and Institutional Relations Director of Propav Infraestructuras, said:

We are excited to be part of these two ambitious projects that will have a significant positive impact. The expansion of Pemba Airport will create an international gateway, generating local employment and boosting regional trade.

Simultaneously, the construction of 103km of roads in Zanzibar will enhance mobility and connectivity, driving economic growth. We take great pride in our involvement, working alongside esteemed British companies to ensure the quality of these projects.

The deal also comes following the introduction last month of the UK’s new post-Brexit Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The Scheme removes or reduces tariffs on UK trade with 65 countries that are home to over 3.3 billion people, including Tanzania. This allows developing countries greater access to the UK market than was possible under previous, EU-led regulatory frameworks.