Tag: 2026

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Iran. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

The United Kingdom thanks the Fact-Finding Mission for its report.

We remain horrified by the dire human rights situation in Iran.

The Mission’s findings regarding the violent repression of peaceful protests that began in December, including the use of lethal force against those who posed no imminent threat, such as children, are particularly alarming. The crackdown was the deadliest in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Iran’s abhorrent use of the death penalty, prolonged nationwide internet shutdowns, torture and ill treatment, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms fuel cycles of repression for the people of Iran.

The report documents civilian deaths arising from the March 2026 conflict – in Minab in Iran, and across the region. Innocent civilians should never be caught in the crossfire.

The United Kingdom continues to support the work of the Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur. Independent documentation of violations is essential to accountability, justice for victims and survivors, and the prevention of future abuses.

The UK calls on the Iranian authorities to end the use of repression and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people in Iran.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Russia. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

Thank you, Special Rapporteur.

Your report’s findings are stark, and demonstrate that the Kremlin’s system of domestic repression is extending beyond the country’s borders. The UK condemns the continued deterioration in the Kremlin’s dire domestic human rights record. The international community has a shared responsibility to protect and promote the values it upholds.  

We are concerned but not surprised by your finding that Russia has become one of the world’s most prolific perpetrators of transnational repression and that these practices have intensified significantly since 2022 including as you report, on UK soil. The UK condemns Russia’s use of threats, surveillance, digital repression, cyber-enabled activity and legal mechanisms to target activists, journalists, human rights defenders and anti-war voices, including those in exile.

The UK reiterates its call for the Russian state to release all those imprisoned on political grounds, including for their opposition to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Russian authorities must uphold its international obligations, and protect fundamental freedom of expression, association, and religion or belief.

Special Rapporteur, how can States best strengthen protection for those targeted by Russian transnational repression and ensure they can safely engage with international human rights mechanisms?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

We remain deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Nicaragua. The report describes a troubling concentration of executive power and erosion of the separation of powers. Proposed constitutional reforms will further centralise power and weaken institutional checks and balances.

The report also highlights continued restrictions on civic and democratic space. We are concerned by reports of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, deaths in custody, and intimidation of political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders, religious leaders and indigenous communities. We are also concerned by reports of transnational repression targeting Nicaraguans abroad.

We were alarmed by the reported death in custody of Brooklyn Rivera, following prolonged arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, and call for a full and transparent investigation.

The UK urges Nicaragua to release anyone arbitrarily detained and restore nationality and political rights to those stripped of them. Nicaragua must uphold freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, religion or belief, and participation in public affairs. We also urge Nicaragua to safeguard judicial independence and re-engage with the UN human rights system, including by granting OHCHR access.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2026.

NB – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan. Not delivered due to time constraints.

Mr Vice President,

The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report.

Five years after the Taliban’s return to power, we remain deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of human rights in Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s systematic restrictions on women and girls have deprived them of opportunities that many of us take for granted: the freedom to learn, to work, to move freely and to participate fully in society. Afghanistan will never reach its potential while half its population is denied its fundamental rights.

We also note the impact of the Taliban’s repressive policies on children. The consequences of the Taliban’s repressive policies on children will be profound and long-lasting, affecting an entire generation. We fully support the Special Rapporteur’s work to protect children’s rights. 

Mr President, Afghanistan currently faces a severe humanitarian crisis. More than twenty-two million people require humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity and malnutrition remain widespread, with women and girls among those most acutely affected.

Special Rapporteur, what more can the international community do to address the worsening humanitarian situation while also protecting the human rights of all Afghans, particularly women, girls and children?

Thank you

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Burundi. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

The UK thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report.

Ahead of Burundi’s 2027 presidential election, his findings are concerning with reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and the shrinking of civic and political space. The UK calls on Burundi to protect the rights of all citizens to participate freely and peacefully in public life.

We encourage Burundi to continue supporting the safe return of Burundian refugees and asylum seekers, in line with international law. Burundi continues to welcome refugees from DRC, and we thank Burundi for its work with the UN in particular to support their presence in Burundi, and ensure any returns to DRC are voluntary, safe, and dignified.

We remain concerned by the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and the risk of spillover to other countries. We commend Burundi for prompt work to strengthen surveillance and preparedness and emphasise the importance of protecting human rights during public health responses.

Special Rapporteur, what practical steps can the international community take to support conditions for a credible, and inclusive, 2027 presidential election in Burundi?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Belarus. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr Vice President,

The United Kingdom thanks the Group of Independent Experts for its update.

We remain deeply concerned by the systematic repression of fundamental freedoms in Belarus. Arbitrary arrest and detention, politically motivated prosecutions, torture and ill-treatment all remain tools to silence dissent, while independent media, civil society and trade unions continue to face severe restrictions.

We welcome the recent release of political prisoners. However, these releases do not address the structures that enable repression, and many others remain unjustly detained. We call for their immediate and unconditional release, full rehabilitation, and access to effective remedy.

We are particularly concerned by the continued use of incommunicado detention, denial of adequate medical care, and intimidation of prisoners’ families.

The United Kingdom continues to support the UN’s accountability mandates and the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, which collects and preserves evidence of alleged crimes under international law. We will continue working with partners to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and victims receive justice.

We ask the Group of Experts: how can States best strengthen accountability pathways while ensuring that victims, survivors and Belarusian civil society remain central to these efforts?