Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2026.

Ambassador Holland recognises the OSCE continued work to promote gender equality and ensure women’s participation in politics, peace processes and conflict resolution.

Thank you, Secretary General, for your presentation of the Annual Progress Report to the Permanent Council this morning.

Gender equality, empowering women in politics, and combatting violence against women and girls remain key elements of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security.

We support the organisation’s continued efforts to promote gender equality, and to ensure women’s participation in politics, peace processes and conflict resolution. The launch of the OSCE Roadmap on Women, Peace and Security, and the Secretary General’s endorsement of the UN Common Pledge, are important steps forward.

The UK particularly welcomes the report’s strong focus on violence against women and girls. The publication of the first OSCE-wide report on femicide and the convening of the High-Level International Conference against Femicide represent significant contributions to tackling one of the gravest manifestations of gender-based violence. They also underline the importance of reliable data, effective prevention and accountability.

At the same time, technology is creating new threats. Online harassment and abuse silence women’s voices and restrict their participation in public life – online and offline. OSCE efforts to address violence targeting women journalists is particularly valuable.

The UK commends the excellent work of the OSCE WIN programme, particularly its support for women leaders in Ukraine, and exchanges between women activists from Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We welcome the work of the Women’s Peace Leadership Programme and YoungWomen4Peace in investing in the next generation of women peacebuilders and security leaders. These are practical investments in more representative institutions and sustainable peace.

We also recognise the efforts to strengthen gender equality within the organisation. Progress in recruitment is encouraging, but women remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions. We as participating States have an important role to play in nominating women for senior seconded posts.

The United Kingdom remains committed to working with participating States, the Secretary General and OSCE institutions to advance these goals. We owe it to women and girls in our region to deliver on our commitments – and doing so is directly in our shared security interests.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2026.

UK Statement for the panel discussion on the International Covenants on Human Rights. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr President,

The United Kingdom welcomes this opportunity to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the two International Covenants.

When these Covenants were adopted in 1966, it was recognised that, together, they gave effect to the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By enshrining civil, political and economic, social and cultural rights in binding international law, they affirmed the dignity and worth of every individual.

This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved and reaffirm our shared commitment to uphold these rights and to remain steadfast in the face of any efforts to weaken them.

As we look to the next sixty years, the United Kingdom is committed to working with the UN and partners worldwide to promote and protect human rights for all.

And as noted in the agenda, “showcasing” the real-world value of these rights is essential to building and sustaining commitment to them.

Mr President,

We therefore welcome reflection from the panellists on what more we can do collectively to bring to life how these rights support people’s everyday experiences, making clear their relevance, impact and importance for communities around the world.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2026.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has today summoned the Serbian Chargé d’Affaires to condemn commemorations surrounding the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.

The UK’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, summoned the Serbian Chargé d’Affaires to condemn the involvement of Serbian state and military officials in the funeral of Ratko Mladić.   

Minster for Europe, Lord Wood of Anfield said:  

“As a military commander, Mladić presided over crimes that are among the worst committed in Europe since the Second World War.  He was convicted by an independent UN tribunal of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.  The denial and whitewashing of his crimes is an affront to international law and directly undermines regional stability and trust.  

“The thoughts of the UK Government are with Mladić’s victims and their families.  They deserve respect, compassion and accountability, not efforts to rewrite proven history.  Political leaders and public institutions have a responsibility to look to the future, not to the past, and to act in ways that support regional reconciliation, not to reopen old wounds.  

“The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia was established by the UN Security Council and Serbia is obliged to respect its judgments.  

“That is why today we summoned the Serbian Chargé d’Affaires. Glorification of a convicted war criminal directly undermines trust, fuels division and is incompatible with the process of reconciliation within Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.  

“The UK remains firmly committed to international justice, accountability, and lasting reconciliation across the Western Balkans and will continue to work with partners across the region and internationally in support of peace, justice and a secure and prosperous future for all communities.”

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2026.

UK Statement for the Item 2 General Debate. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Mr President,

In Syria, we welcome the steps taken by the government on its political transition, including convening a new parliament, addressing Assad-era legacies, and engaging the international community. But the situation remains delicate. We urge the government to proceed in an inclusive and representative way, protecting the rights of all Syrians.

In South Sudan, the human rights situation remains fragile, while developments cast doubt on prospects for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections. We remain concerned by violence against civilians, restrictions on political space and continued impunity, including conflict-related sexual violence. All parties must demonstrate restraint, engage in dialogue and ensure accountability.

China has yet to implement the recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner’s Xinjiang Assessment. Evidence of violations in Xinjiang and Tibet persists, freedom of religion or belief is being further restricted, and the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress risks undermining the rights of individuals belonging to minorities. We welcome the High Commissioner’s continued engagement on these issues.

Finally, five years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the human cost continues to grow. As Russia continues its assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty, the international community must not look away. We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine and in efforts to hold Russia to account.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2026.

Joint Statement on Sri Lanka. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Mr President,

This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group: Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the UK.

We welcome the High Commissioner’s balanced assessment of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has faced considerable challenges recently, including severe weather events and global energy shocks. Against this backdrop, it is crucial that the government’s stated commitment to reform is translated into concrete progress.

We welcome the positive developments highlighted, including the ratification of ILO Convention 190, and Sri Lanka’s engagement on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

However, much further action is needed to build confidence in accountability and reconciliation efforts. Progress in several emblematic cases  has not yet been accompanied by a comprehensive, victim-centred accountability process to address past violations. Mass grave excavations are a stark reminder that thousands of cases of enforced disappearances remain unresolved. And reports of intimidation, harassment, and restrictions affecting civil society, journalists and victims’ groups, including in the North and East, still raise concerns.

We urge progress on democratic governance, through transparent and inclusive consultation processes addressing the needs of all affected communities. This should include advancing legal and institutional reforms, resolving land-related issues, ensuring respect for human rights in detention institutions, and strengthening independent institutions.

Thank you.