Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2024.

Around 150 tonnes of UK aid, including more than 13,000 blankets and 840 family-sized tents, have entered Gaza today.

• a UK field hospital will arrive this week to provide life-saving medical care
• Foreign Secretary also announces further £10 million in aid funding, bringing UK support to more than £100 million this financial year

Around 150 tonnes of UK aid, including more than 13,000 blankets and 840 family-sized tents, have entered Gaza today, where the United Nations [UNICEF] will distribute them to those in need.

In addition, a full field hospital, provided by UK Aid funding to UK-Med, will arrive this week. The facility can be adapted according to needs on the ground and usually includes a pharmacy, triage area, major injuries and resuscitation unit, and maternity care tent.

The field hospital left Manchester on 5 March and is on route to Gaza. This facility can be operational in as little as 48 hours and will be able to treat more than 100 patients a day. It will be staffed by both local health workers and international medics, including many from the UK, on the UK-Med Register.

Alongside the latest deliveries of aid, the Foreign Secretary has announced a further £10 million in aid funding for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), bringing the total spend to over £100 million this financial year. This funding will support UN agencies on the ground to deliver lifesaving aid and will also provide core relief items, such as tents, for the most vulnerable.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

Too many people in Gaza are suffering. No one should be without basic amenities like shelter and bedding, and everyone deserves the dignity that basic hygiene kits provide. Our largest aid delivery, combined with a new UK funded field hospital, will save lives.

But an immediate pause in the fighting is the only way to get aid into Gaza in the quantities desperately needed. This will also allow for the safe release of hostages.

We could then work towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting or loss of life.

Today’s additional 150 tonnes of UK core relief items for UNICEF will include 840 family tents, 13,440 blankets, almost 3,000 shelter kits, and shelter-fixing kits, 6,000 sleeping mats and more than 3,000 dignity kits to support women and girls.

An estimated 3.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the OPTs, with over half a million at risk from famine.

The UK is committed to ensuring aid reaches those who need it most, as Palestinians continue to face a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary has been clear that Israel must increase capacity to safely distribute aid within Gaza. This includes opening a land crossing in the north and issuing more visas to UN staff who are capable of delivering aid when it arrives in Gaza.

Ahead of this new funding, the UK had previously trebled its aid commitment to the OPTs. UK funding has supported the work of partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to deliver vital supplies.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 March 2024.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. UK statement at HRC55.

The United Kingdom welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report, and fully supports meaningful participation of child and youth human rights defenders at the UN.

Child and youth human rights defenders are increasingly at the forefront of movements that bring about positive change. Their expertise and representation of marginalised groups should enrich decision-making and improve accountability. Sadly, that role is not recognised by all, and alongside the risks faced by all human rights defenders, they must contend with age-related discrimination in various forms.

Improvement in monitoring is required to ensure violence against child and youth human rights defenders is recorded and can be used to facilitate justice and accountability.

As part of our support for civil society and human rights defenders in crisis, we have recently made a new £1 million financial commitment to the Lifeline fund which supports Civil Society Organizations and human rights defenders which are under threat due to their vital work. We are co-chairing Lifeline this year as part of our commitment to supporting organisations under threat of reprisal for their work in advancing rights, freedoms and democratic values.

Mr. Vice-President, how can the United Nations systematically involve child and youth human rights defenders in UN decision-making processes that affect them?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 March 2024.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. UK statement at HRC55.

Thank you, Madame Vice-President.

I would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his work and reaffirm our support for his mandate.

The UK strongly believes that to be truly effective and sustainable, our Counter Terrorism and Counter Violent Extremism efforts must respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Failing to do so risks exacerbating the conditions conducive to terrorism, and undermining the very values that the UN was established to promote.

We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s undertaking to consider the impact of new technologies in countering terrorism. We reaffirm that all measures to deliver security must conform with international human rights law.

Furthermore, we highlight your recommendations that the United Nations counter-terrorism bodies engage with diverse civil society organisations, and your efforts to maintain focus on the impact that counter-terrorism and violent extremism measures have on a civic space.

Special Rapporteur,

What more could be done by States to assess the human rights implications of new technologies on counter-terrorism and counter violent extremism efforts?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2024.

UK Statement for the Panel on Countering Religious Hatred. Statement not delivered due to time constraints.

Mr President,

In recent months, we have seen a shocking increase in hatred and intolerance. Jewish children are scared to go to school. Muslim women have been abused in the street.

Let me be clear – we unequivocally condemn incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence, wherever this occurs.

The United Kingdom is a proud multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy. However, we are cognisant of the challenges we face. So we are seeking to address the underlying causes of religious hatred while supporting all victims, including through:

• funding Tell MAMA, the leading national organisation to monitor and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred.
• our Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.
• funding the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant.

We agree with the Special Rapporteur that we must strike a balance – combatting religious hatred whilst upholding all human rights including freedom of religion, belief, speech and expression.

These issues are complex. But we must be prepared to stand up for our shared values. And to draw a line, as international human rights law does. There is no space for religious intolerance and hatred in pluralistic, modern societies.

The time has now come for us to stand together to combat and overcome the poisonous forces of division we face.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2024.

Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr President.

May I firstly thank the Special Representative Pramila Patten for briefing us on her recent visit and may I take this opportunity, SRSG, to applaud your tireless work on this agenda in standing up in defence and protection of victims and survivors of sexual violence.

Your visit was profoundly important. And your report, an essential insight into the shocking crimes you’ve just illustrated. It is therefore right that the Security Council considers it today.

As we have seen in conflicts around the world, it’s a tragic fact, sexual violence is used to terrorise civilians. Mr President, it shatters lives. It leaves brutal and lifelong scars on victims, their families, and communities.

We are collectively and rightly appalled by reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October and against hostages.

I refer to the report and note with deep concern the findings of SRSG Patten, including “reasonable grounds” to believe that sexual violence occurred in Israel on 7 October and the existence of, and I quote, “clear and convincing” information that sexual violence has been committed against hostages.

Mr President, it is deeply disturbing to know that “such violence may be ongoing against those still in captivity” a direct quote from the report. We continue to call an immediate, safe and unconditional release of all hostages.

And to work through every channel to secure an immediate stop in the fighting, then progress towards a sustainable ceasefire – because, for us, that is the best route to achieve this.

I am also deeply shocked by the very concerning reports, referenced in the SRSG report and also by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, of sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees of which we’ve just heard, who have been arrested and held by Israel.

These reports, as we’ve heard, are being investigated. I therefore call on Israel to take immediate measures to prevent conflict-related sexual violence, to abide by international humanitarian law, and to ensure thorough investigations into these reports, and ultimately for perpetrators to be held to account.

Mr President let me be absolutely clear – we the United Kingdom condemn conflict-related sexual violence unequivocally, wherever it occurs, and stand in solidarity with all victims and survivors.

Put it simply, it must stop. Perpetrators must be held accountable. Survivors must receive holistic support and I call on all members of this Security Council to be unequivocal on these points.

And may I say to both Israelis and Palestinians, and their representatives here today that the United Kingdom, as a friend to both, is ready to support.

As The PM’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, here is my offer on behalf of the United Kingdom. We have our PSVI Team of Experts, who have already deployed over 90 times.

We have The Murad Code, launched last April in this very Council, which sets out minimum standards to ensure survivors are not retraumatised when they are interviewed.

We have our Stigma Toolkit which provides practical measures to address the stigma faced by survivors in criminal justice systems.

Indeed, earlier today I chaired a meeting with members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and I was pleased that SRSG Patten was able to attend. Alongside a colleague of mine, Baroness Helic who was instrumental in establishing this very initiative I lead in 2012, to consider new and innovative ways to ensure crimes are fully investigated, testimonies are held to allow for successful prosecution and those who survive these shocking and abhorrent crimes – the incredible, courageous, brave survivors – are supported fully in rebuilding their lives.

We fully agree with the SRSG that investigations should be conducted in a safe and ethical manner consistent with a survivor-centred approach.

Mr President, all reports of sexual violence must be fully investigated to ensure justice for survivors and victims.

Mr President, justice delayed is justice denied. And for the United Kingdom it remains that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The first step must be an immediate stop to the fighting leading to a permanent, sustainable ceasefire. The release of all hostages, and vital humanitarian, life-saving aid to be delivered to Gaza. It is this solution that we seek.

We owe it to the legacy of every innocent civilian killed in Israel and across the Occupied Palestinian Territories to utilise every lever we have and every channel we have in pursuit of this noble objective.

Thank you, Mr President.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2024.

UK support has reached over 4 million people over 2 years, helping tackle domestic abuse, child marriage and female genital mutilation, and support survivors of violence.

• first ever results of their kind show the scale of the UK’s work to prevent and respond to this issue around the world, including in Bangladesh, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Syria
• Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Ahmad, visits United Nations for the UN Commission on the Status of Women to call on partners to protect and promote the rights of every woman and girl

New figures on the UK’s support to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) show how this funding has transformed the lives of over 4 million of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Gender-based violence is a systematic, pervasive, human rights abuse. It threatens the lives and wellbeing of women and girls, and prevents them from accessing opportunities for education, employment and healthcare. However, it is preventable.

Between April 2021 and March 2023, the UK has provided 4.2 million people across the globe with gender-based violence prevention or response services.

The Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron said:

The UK is determined to work with our partners to resist the rollback of rights we are seeing around the world.

Gender-based violence is holding back women and girls, but things can and must change. The UK’s approaches have shown reductions in violence of up to 50% in some countries.

By investing in sexual and reproductive health services, and reaching millions of girls with services to end devastating practices like Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage, we are proud to help women and girls to reach their full potential.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) said:

I’m honoured to be at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, joining the global conversation on reforming the humanitarian system to protect women and girls against gender-based violence. This is a critical issue that affects millions – a violation of human rights that demands a united front.

I am proud that the UK has reached over 4 million people, including survivors, with vital support, but our work doesn’t stop here. We are committed to this collective effort for a future free from gender-based violence.

Examples of the UK’s work include:

• working in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund to help over 1 million Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh by providing 56 safe spaces that ensure the rights, health and safety of women. These spaces have helped provide access for sexual and reproductive health services, including psychosocial support, family planning, and support for survivors of rape. The UK has also supported community leaders and women-led organisations with prevention activities including skill training, campaigning, and male engagement initiatives to shift attitudes and stop stigma
• addressing intimate partner violence, which is the most prevalent form of violence against women globally. The Stopping Abuse and Female Exploitation (SAFE) Programme in Zimbabwe which is working with couples and communities to prevent violence against women and girls, particularly those most at risk. It focuses on addressing economic insecurity and discriminatory attitudes that drive violence
• preventing gender-based violence in a crisis, as an estimated 20 to 30% of women and girls experience non-partner sexual violence in conflicts. Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative, we have helped Sisma Mujer, a women’s rights organisation in Colombia to provide legal support to survivors of sexual violence
• the UK is investing £35 million in the Africa-Led Movement to end femail genital mutilation (FGM) (2019 to 2027) –  Phase II of FCDO’s flagship ending FGM programme in Kenya, Senegal Ethiopia and Somaliland to support activists and grassroots African organisations who are leading change from within their communities
• supporting women’s rights organisations and survivor-led organisations including through the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls which partners with grassroots organisations, and the Africa-Led Movement to End Female Genital Mutilation Programme, which is supporting activists to drive change from within their communities

The new results come as Lord Ahmad, Minister for the United Nations today (March 11) attends the United Nations Commission for Status of Women (CSW) – the biggest multilateral forum on women and girls’ rights to discuss how to accelerate progress towards gender-equality.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

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

Thank you President and I thank ASG Khiari and Ms Doughten for their briefing today.

“You see who we are dealing with. They don’t care where to hit”. Words spoken by the President of Ukraine on Wednesday, which could have been spoken on countless occasions during this war.

We are compelled to gather again to respond to another appalling series of missile attacks on Ukraine.

On 2 March, 12 civilians, including 5 children, died when debris hit an apartment block in Odesa.One of the victims was a baby, only four months old.

On 6 March, as President Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis paid their respects to the dead, a further Russian strike hit the city. While they narrowly escaped the impact, five others were not so lucky.

President, we have met too often in this chamber to address the human suffering Russia has inflicted upon Ukraine. This week it was attacks on residential buildings.

In other weeks it has been hospitals, schools, train stations, hotels, restaurants. Each time it is innocent Ukrainian civilians who pay the price with their lives.

The day before this latest strike, the International Criminal Court announced two new indictments of senior Russian military figures for an alleged campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure.

These are not the actions of a country that is interested in peace. Putin claims that he launched this war to “protect” Ukrainian civilians. In fact he is terrorising them.

Russia’s actions show an utter disregard for international law and the UN Charter. It is attempting to intimidate Ukraine, its people, and those who support Ukraine.

It will not succeed.

Russia’s previous attacks on Odesa have utterly failed. Ukraine has now driven back much of the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea, and is exporting the highest volumes from its ports since the war began.

As my Defence Secretary said in Kyiv yesterday, the UK’s support remains unwavering, and we will provide an additional £325 million to help Ukraine defend itself.

Ukrainians have shown that they will not be bullied into submission. And Russia should know that the UK stands proudly by their side.

And so, we repeat our call again to Russia: withdraw your troops, cease the bloodshed and end this senseless war.

Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace that respects its territorial integrity. And with our support, that is what Ukraine will achieve.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

Thank you, President, with the adoption of this resolution the Council has sent a strong and clear message to the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to agree an immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan. This follows the call of the Secretary-General and of the African Union.

We urge the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to act on this united international call for peace and to silence the guns.  We further urge the warring parties to build trust and seek a sustainable resolution to the conflict through dialogue.

President, the situation in Sudan is of grave concern and the humanitarian needs of Sudan’s population are acute. We support the work of UN agencies and civil society organisations in their efforts to support those in need and underline the need for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access.

We welcome all mediation efforts to help achieve an end to this brutal conflict and further encourage the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra to complement and help coordinate regional efforts.

President, this Council needs to continue to support efforts for peace in Sudan. We look forward to continuing to work across the UN, the region and Council members towards this goal.

And in that regard, I thank my colleagues across the Council for their engagement on this resolution.

Let me express my thanks also to our team and all of the colleagues and experts who agreed this text, thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

The United Kingdom has made a statement welcoming the announcement of Presidential elections in Senegal.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

The United Kingdom welcomes the announcement of Presidential elections on 24 March in accordance with the Constitutional Council decisions of 6 and 7 March. In line with Senegal’s strong democratic traditions, we urge all parties to contribute to peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections, to maintain calm and the rule of law, and to respect the fundamental freedoms of the Senegalese people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

UK statement for Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Torture. Delivered at the 55th Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK fully supports the Special Rapporteur’s focus on the importance of adequate detention conditions in prisons.

Detainees must be treated with humanity and dignity – this is a clear obligation under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

With this in mind, we encourage all States to ensure allegations of mistreatment are thoroughly investigated, and to fully comply with their international obligations.

As reflected in your report, all states must guarantee minimum standards of humane treatment. We share the concerns outlined in your press release of January 2024 that some of the evidence that may be used to prosecute Jimmy Lai was allegedly obtained through torture of Andy Li. No evidence gained via torture can be valid evidence.

Within the UK, we are taking urgent action to improve prison safety and security. This is alongside wider reforms to overhaul the prison system, focused on the rehabilitation of offenders and delivering safer prisons.

To help reduce the UK prison populations, we are reforming the licence period for offenders serving an Imprisonment for Public Protection sentence. Reforms include a clear statutory presumption that the licence will be terminated by the Parole Board at the end of the three-year qualifying period.

Special Rapporteur,

What best practices to combat overcrowding in prisons have you observed from States?

Thank you.