Tag: Foreign Office

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

Liz Ditchburn and Harold Freeman have been appointed as part-time commissioners for the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) for 4 years, from 1 July 2024.

Liz is a highly experienced public sector leader in international, UK and devolved administrations. She is currently a trustee of Nesta, a non-executive director at Net Zero Technology Centre and an honorary professor at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. She has previously held roles as the Director General for Economy for the Scottish Government and was the former Department for International Development’s Policy Director and its first value for money director.

Harold is a board-level professional specialising in economic development, public policy, and sustainable finance. He currently works as an independent advisor and is a member of the advisory council of trade credit agency UK Export Finance. He has previously held roles as a board director at the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development and led on sustainable lending as Head of International Debt & Capital Markets at HM Treasury.

These appointments are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments. The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this Code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Liz Ditchburn and Harold Freeman will replace Sir Hugh Bayley and Tarek Rouchdy, whose appointments as ICAI commissioners end on 30 June.  A selection process to replace Dr Tamsyn Barton, the outgoing ICAI Chief Commissioner, is underway and an announcement will be made once this process is complete.

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

Middle East Minister Lord Ahmad embarks on Gulf tour to build momentum towards lasting peace and security in the region.

• Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon returns to the region to meet with key partners to seek long-term solutions to the situation in Israel and Gaza
• minister to discuss joint efforts to counter illegal Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea
• he will also celebrate strengthened bilateral ties with Gulf allies, following announcement Gulf nationals are now eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

The UK Minister for the Middle East will travel to the Middle East as the UK seeks to build momentum towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and lasting stability and security in the region.

Lord Ahmad will arrive in Kuwait today (Monday) before travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The minister is expected to meet with key figures, including Saudi Arabia’s Vice Foreign Minister, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League as well as Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ambassador Abdullah Al-Yahya.

The minister will discuss how to ease the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, including through an immediate humanitarian pause in fighting leading to a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.

He will also outline the UK’s efforts to counter Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and make clear that illegal attacks by the Houthis are completely unacceptable.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Middle East, said:

We want to see an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, and it is clear that wider escalation and instability in the region is in nobody’s interests.

Our engagement with partners in the Middle East, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is absolutely central to efforts towards achieving a sustainable, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and building wider regional security.

In Kuwait, Lord Ahmad will co-chair the twentieth UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group alongside His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Lord Ahmad is also due to meet with the Palestinian Ambassador.

In Saudi Arabia, Lord Ahmad will meet with the Vice Foreign Minister and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

This visit is the latest in a series of visits to the region by the minister, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the last fortnight. The Foreign Secretary has recently visited the region multiple times, including Oman and Saudi Arabia to build on the UK’s call for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.

The minister will also welcome the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme which has opened for Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordanian nationals, making travel to the UK smoother and cheaper. The scheme will allow unlimited visits to the UK over 2 years.

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

The UK announces new sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers who have violently attacked Palestinians in the West Bank.

• new sanctions will target extremist Israeli settlers who have violently attacked Palestinians in the occupied West Bank
• sanctions will impose financial and travel restrictions, in a bid to tackle continued settler violence which threatens West Bank stability
• Foreign Secretary commits to “hold to account those who undermine prospects for peace”

The Foreign Secretary has announced sanctions on 4 extremist Israeli settlers who have committed human rights abuses against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

There have been unprecedented levels of violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank over the past year. Some residents of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts have used harassment, intimidation and violence to put pressure on Palestinian communities to leave their land.

Two of the individuals designated today – Moshe Sharvit and Yinon Levy – have in recent months used physical aggression, threatened families at gunpoint, and destroyed property as part of a targeted and calculated effort to displace Palestinian communities. One illegal outpost, set up by Zvi Bar Yosef, has been described by local Palestinian residents as a “source of systematic intimidation and violence.”

Today’s measures put strict financial and travel restrictions on those who commit these acts. These sanctions follow the announcement by the Foreign Secretary in December that the UK plans to ban those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these unacceptable acts.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

Today’s sanctions place restrictions on those involved in some of the most egregious abuses of human rights. We should be clear about what is happening here. Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behaviour is illegal and unacceptable. Israel must also take stronger action and put a stop to settler violence. Too often, we see commitments made and undertakings given, but not followed through.

Extremist settlers, by targeting and attacking Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Those now subject to a UK asset freeze, travel and visa ban include:

• Moshe Sharvit: an extremist settler who has threatened, harassed and assaulted Palestinian shepherds and their families in the Jordan Valley. In October 2023, one community of 20 families fled after Sharvit attacked the residents and told them they had 5 hours to leave
• Yinon Levy: leader of the ‘Meitarim Farm’ outpost, founded in 2021, whose settlers have used physical violence and the destruction of property to displace Palestinian communities including Zanuta in October 2023
• Zvi Bar Yosef: a settler leader who, since setting up the ‘Zvi’s Farm’ outpost in 2018, has used intimidation and violence against local Palestinians, including twice threatening at gunpoint young families having a picnic
• Ely Federman: involved in multiple incidents against Palestinian shepherds in the South Hebron Hills

Violence in the West Bank reached record levels in 2023 (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). Israel’s failure to act has led to an environment of near total impunity for settler extremists in the West Bank.

The UK government has continued to call for Israel to take action against those responsible for settler violence, release frozen funds to the Palestinian Authority and halt settlement expansion. The Prime Minister has raised this with Prime Minister Netanyahu on a number of occasions, and in December, the UK and 13 partners released a statement calling on Israel to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

The measures taken today are part of wider UK efforts to support a more stable West Bank, which is vital for the peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis. The UK will consider additional actions, including further sanctions, as necessary.

The UK continues to work with allies and partners, including across the region, to find a path towards a sustainable ceasefire and permanent peace.

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

Ms Alison Thorpe has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda.

Ms Alison Thorpe has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda in succession to Mr Omar Daair OBE, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Thorpe will take up her appointment during September 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Alison Heather Thorpe

Place of birth: Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK

Year	Role
2022 to present	Head of Africa Department Central and Southern and Special Envoy to the Great Lakes
April 2022 to August 2022	FCDO, Director Transformation
2020 to 2022	FCDO, Deputy Director for Culture and Engagement
2019 to 2020	FCO, Deputy Director, Prosperity Fund Global Trade and Business Environment Programme
2018 to 2019	FCO, Deputy Director Africa Strategy
2014 to 2018	FCO, Africa Directorate, Head of Africa Strategy and Network Unit
2010 to 2014	Stockholm, Deputy Head of Mission
2006 to 2009	Skopje, Deputy Head of Mission
2005 to 2006	Maternity leave
Jan 2005 to Sept 2005	FCO, Counter Terrorism Department, Head of Al Qaeda, Middle East and Africa Section
2003 to 2004	FCO, Assistant Private Secretary/Minister for the Middle East
2002	FCO, PS to the Political Director
1998 to 2001	Beirut, Third Secretary Political
1997 to 1998	Geneva, UK Mission, Assistant Desk Officer

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 February 2024.

The UK joins other participating States in expressing concern regarding the absence of conditions for free and fair elections in Belarus, and the ongoing shocking human rights violations in the run up to the February elections.

Madam Chair,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,  France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States  and my own country, Canada.

And the following participating States are also joining this statement today: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

In 1991, OSCE participating States “categorically and irrevocably” declared that the commitments undertaken in the human dimension are “matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned” (Moscow Document, 1991).

In this context, participating States have repeatedly found it necessary to raise Belarus’ failure to meet its OSCE human dimension commitments, particularly since the fraudulent elections of 2020 and the significant decline in the human rights situation that has followed. Belarus’ complicity in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has aggravated the human rights violations and also contributed to regional and international instability.

For over three years, Belarusian authorities have engaged in a brutal crackdown on opposition figures, civil society representatives, journalists and media actors, religious communities and indeed almost all independent voices, which may amount to crimes against humanity, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus and the OHCHR.  Individuals attempting to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms have been subject to intimidation, harassment, abuse and arbitrary detention.

This regrettable situation has been clearly documented in both the 2020 and 2023 Moscow Mechanism Reports, by the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus and the OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus, as well as by the International Accountability Platform for Belarus and by Belarus’ courageous human rights defenders. The OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media has spoken out repeatedly against repressive measures aimed at journalists and media actors in Belarus.

In recent weeks, we have once again heard credible reports of Belarus’ failure to meet its OSCE human dimension commitments.  Last month saw yet another wave of harassment, arrests, and detention, this time targeting former political prisoners remaining in Belarus, the families of political prisoners, and those who have supported them. As Amnesty International has observed, “The severity is surprising even for a country and region that has witnessed more than its fair share of brutal reprisals.”

Like the brutal post-election crackdowns in 2020, these actions appear to be aimed at intimidating the people of Belarus in the lead up to scheduled parliamentary elections this month.

Viasna Human Rights Center continues to report over 1,400 current political prisoners, and that a staggering total of over 6,300 people have been the victims of political repression through criminal and administrative convictions in 2023.

Many political prisoners face isolation, mistreatment, and a lack of medical care which has led to instances of death in detention, such as the recent appalling cases of Vadzim Khrasko, Vitold Ashurak, and Ales Pushkin. Individuals are sometimes held without any contact to the outside world nor do their families have any information about their whereabouts or condition.

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus.

Madam Chair,

Belarus’ failure to uphold its human dimension commitments further extends to its clear disregard for its OSCE commitments in regard to democracy, and the Belarusian authorities’ refusal to ensure that the people of Belarus can freely and fairly express their will in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

In 1990, in Copenhagen and Paris, OSCE participating States declared their commitment to democracy and political pluralism underlining that “the will of the people, freely and fairly expressed through periodic and genuine elections, is the basis of the authority and legitimacy of all government.” Participating States reaffirmed these commitments in Istanbul in 1999 and further pledged to ensure fair competition among candidates and parties through media access and respect for the right of assembly.

It is evident that the authorities in Belarus have no intention to hold the genuine elections that are required under OSCE commitments. It is impossible so long as all forms of dissent or opposition are met with intimidation, harassment, persecution and imprisonment. In Belarus: there is no freedom of expression; there is no freedom of association; and there is no free and independent media to share a plurality of ideas.

It is impossible that a genuine democratic election could be held in these deplorable circumstances.

The Lukashenko regime, of course, knows that this is the case.  It is for this reason that Belarus has refused to invite election observers through the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Parliamentary Assembly.  In rejecting these observers, the regime seeks to avoid the transparency essential for holding genuinely democratic elections.

Let us also be clear: Belarus’ refusal is inconsistent with the commitments made by participating States in Istanbul in 1999 to invite election observers from ODIHR, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and to follow up on ODIHR’s election assessment and recommendations. We share the concerns that have been expressed by both ODIHR Director Mecacci and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma on this vital democratic issue.

Madam Chair,

So long as the regime in Belarus continues to fail to meet its OSCE human dimension commitments, and to violate the human rights and democratic freedoms of its people, we will continue to speak out and to raise our concerns.

Things can be different in Belarus. The people of Belarus deserve better.

We condemn the continued military support provided by Belarus for Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine. We call on Belarus not to provide further support for Russia’s war of aggression.

We call on the Belarusian authorities to fully implement their international obligations and OSCE commitments, including by taking all necessary steps to create conditions for free, fair and genuinely democratic elections.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 February 2024.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson has commented following ODIHR’s preliminary findings on the recent Presidential election in Azerbaijan.

The UK notes the ODIHR preliminary findings on the Presidential election in Azerbaijan, held on 7 February 2024. The UK was proud to contribute 10 Short Term Observers to its monitoring mission.

We welcome the establishment by Central Election Committee of Azerbaijan of an Expert Group to consider election complaints and that the election was calm and included provisions to allow the Internally Displaced Population to vote in their historic constituencies.

However, we share a number of issues of concern with the election taking place in a restrictive environment, lacking genuine political alternatives. Serious violations were observed, some of which run counter to the 1990 Copenhagen Document which outlines a number of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The OSCE’s ODIHR plays a vital role in ensuring that election processes are assessed fairly and the UK strongly encourages Azerbaijan to work with the organisation on implementing its final recommendations once published.

Azerbaijan is an important partner for the UK, and we stand ready to support their electoral reforms and improvements to the democratic process.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 February 2024.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

The UK and Pakistan enjoy a close and long-standing relationship, underpinned by strong links between our people. Following yesterday’s elections, we commend all those who voted.

We recognise, however, serious concerns raised about the fairness and lack of inclusivity of the elections. We regret that not all parties were formally permitted to contest the elections and that legal processes were used to prevent some political leaders from participation, and to prevent the use of recognisable party symbols. We also note the restrictions imposed on internet access on polling day, significant delays to the reporting of results and claims of irregularities in the counting process.

The UK urges authorities in Pakistan to uphold fundamental human rights including free access to information, and the rule of law. This includes the right to a fair trial, through adherence to due process and an independent and transparent judicial system, free from interference.

The election of a civilian government with the mandate to deliver crucial reforms is essential for Pakistan to flourish. The new government must be accountable to the people it serves, and work to represent the interests of all Pakistan’s citizens and communities with equity and justice. We look forward to working with Pakistan’s next government to achieve this, and across the range of our shared interests.

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

Ambassador Neil Holland welcomes the visit of OSCE Chair in Office, Foreign Minister Borg, to Ukraine and condemns Russia’s aggression which is in complete violation of international law.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, I would like to welcome the visit of our Chair in Office, Foreign Minister Borg, to Ukraine where the Minister underlined his support for Ukraine. We note President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Kuleba’s expressions of support for OSCE work, in particular on the return of Ukrainian children and the role of participating States in documenting Russia’s egregious actions against Ukraine. The UK is fully committed in supporting you to take forward these priorities.

Last week, the Russian Federation attempted to justify Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine by referencing Article 51 of the UN Charter. This Article states, quote:

‘Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.’

The operative clause here is ‘if an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations’.  The only armed attack that took place in February 2022 was by Russia on Ukraine on 24 February.  So, no. Russia cannot claim that its so-called ‘Special Military Operation’ is an exercise of the right of self-defence, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. On the contrary. It is Russia’s actions which comprise egregious violations of international law, including the prohibition on the use of force at Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. And to pretend otherwise is disinformation.

Russia’s unprovoked, illegal war is, of course, far more than an attack on Ukraine. It is also an attack on the founding principles of this organisation. These are the pillars on which European security has been built and they are principles to which all of us in this room willingly agreed. We all therefore have a duty to defend these principles. And the best way that Russia can do that right now is to withdraw from the sovereign territory of Ukraine and come back into line with the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Charter.

Madam Chair, it is Russia that started this war, and it is Russia that can choose to end this war. Thank you.

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

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for the Assembly’s important election observation role and enduring support for Ukraine.

Madam President, on behalf of the United Kingdom, welcome back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your address.

We welcome the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s continued focus on Ukraine. As we approach two years since Russia launched its illegal, invasion we will not waiver in our support for Ukraine.  We are working in lockstep with the Chair and others to ensure the war remains high on the OSCE’s agenda. We will continue to deploy the OSCE’s toolkit extensively to counter Russia’s disinformation and shine a spotlight on its illegal actions.

We see the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s role as critical in these efforts, both in terms of the PA’s Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine, but also through parliamentarians’ engagement in Capitals. We all have a responsibility to ensure our governments recognise the enduring value of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue and conflict resolution, as well as the need to support Ukraine. In this regard, we welcome the engagement you’ve done personally, including through your visits to the participating States.

Beyond the conflict, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly faces an unprecedented year. 2024 will prove a record-breaking year for elections globally. Over 4 billion voters across the world will head to the polls, marking a colossal exercise in democratic participation. The manner in which these elections are conducted and their outcome will have significant implications for global politics and stability, and trust in democratic institutions and processes. Many of these elections will be held in our region and we welcome the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s observation role.  It is an integral part of democratic scrutiny, supporting electoral integrity and documenting whether elections are credible and inclusive. Just yesterday, OSCE PA members were in Azerbaijan observing its Presidential elections. I thank Vice-President De Ridder and Vice-Chair Gerasymov for leading the delegations and look forward to their findings.

We note the Parliamentary Assembly’s continued concerns about the institutional health of the organisation. We share these concerns. We welcome the consensus on support for Malta as this year’s Chair. We will continue to press for a more sustainable financial settlement for the organisation and work to appoint strong candidates to its four top leadership positions. Beyond this, we recognise the need for longer term solutions and political commitment to ensuring the OSCE’s effective functioning and relevance. In this regard, we welcome the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and its members’ continued efforts in highlighting Russia’s and Belarus’ obstruction and undermining tactics.

Madam President, to conclude, the UK thanks you and the Assembly for the work you are doing. We offer our full support and look forward to continued co-operation and collaboration in 2024.

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

New agreement enhances and protects the rights of British and Danish citizens to stand and vote in local elections in each other’s countries.

The UK and Denmark have today (Thursday 8 February 2024) signed a treaty that secures the rights of British and Danish citizens to stand and vote in local elections in each other’s countries.

Once ratified, this agreement will ensure that British people living in Denmark and Danish citizens living in the UK have the right to choose who represents them in local government in the country where they reside.

The treaty was signed by the UK’s Ambassador to Denmark, Emma Hopkins and Nikolaj Stenfalk of the Danish Ministry of the Interior and Health, on 8 February 2024 in the British Ambassador’s Residence in Copenhagen.

In a joint statement, British Ambassador to Denmark, Emma Hopkins and Danish Ambassador to the UK, René Dinesen said:

We are delighted to reach this agreement on voting rights between the UK and Denmark. This will enhance and protect the rights to participate in local democracy of approximately 50,000 citizens who reside in each other’s countries.

As an important outcome of the UK-Denmark Joint Statement signed by our Foreign Ministers last year, this treaty demonstrates the close ties between our countries and underlines our shared commitment to democracy.

Denmark is the fifth country to sign a voting rights treaty with the UK, following treaties signed with Poland, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg.