Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 March 2024.

UK Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief.

Thank you, Mr President.

The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for her work to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief for all.

Freedom of religion or belief remains a priority for our bilateral and multilateral work and was among our national pledges to mark last year’s anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Following the 2022 UK-hosted international Ministerial conference on freedom of religion or belief, we pledged to build coalitions. We continue to turn these words into action. In June 2023, we led with the UAE Security Council resolution 2686 which directly addresses, for the first time, the persecution of religious minorities in conflict settings. We also work to strengthen freedom of religion or belief through the International Contact Group and the International Religious Freedom and Belief Alliance, which we chaired for 2 years.

More must be done. The scale and severity of violations and abuses of freedom of religion or belief globally remains deeply concerning, including for the Baha’i community in Yemen and Iran, the Ahmadis in Pakistan and the Roman Catholic Church in Nicaragua. We must work collaboratively to unite around an approach that respects all human rights.

Special Rapporteur,

How can the international community increase collaborative efforts to protect freedom of religion or belief?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 March 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Thank you, President,  and like others I would like to thank SRSG Otunbayeva and Fatima Gailani for their briefings.

And thank you too to  UNAMA’s staff for all the work they do to support the Afghan people.

UNAMA’s latest report outlines the challenges that Afghanistan continues to face – restrictions on the rights of women and girls are becoming stricter and over half the country’s population will require humanitarian assistance this year.

So it is vital that we collectively continue to support the Afghan people.

First, by the international community staying united, or in Ms Gailani’s word, cohesive, in its engagement with the Taliban.

The future path for an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours is laid out in the Special Coordinator’s Independent Assessment and in resolution 2721.

So we should now seek to move forward with its recommendations, including the formation of a small contact group and the appointment of a Special Envoy.

In order to make further progress the Taliban must meet their international obligations.

Afghanistan cannot be self-reliant when it excludes fifty percent of its people from society.

And without inclusive governance, it will not find durable and lasting peace.

Second, by continuing our urgent action to address the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

The UN’s humanitarian needs and response plan for Afghanistan remains underfunded.

We call on all states to step up their support and the UK’s own bilateral aid programme this year currently stands at $144 million.

We need to support aid agencies as they try to ensure that all marginalised groups have equal, safe, and dignified access to assistance and services.

President, the United Kingdom remains committed to finding a constructive way forward, working with all international partners and a range of Afghan stakeholders in this endeavour.

We continue to stand with the Afghan people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly meeting on UNRWA.

Thank you, President. The UK reaffirms UNRWA’s role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees as mandated by the UN General Assembly since 1949, both in Gaza and across the region.

In particular, we note that UNRWA is the main provider of essential health and education services, and humanitarian relief to two million people in desperate need in Gaza.

Over one million people, displaced people, are sheltering in UNRWA buildings including schools, and UNRWA is providing food support to over a million people.

UNRWA staff are operating under the most challenging circumstances at considerable risk to themselves.

And we recognise the tragic loss of life of 158 UNRWA staff to date in this conflict.

We pay tribute to them and offer condolences to their families.

The UK also recognises the essential role that UNRWA plays in basic service provision and humanitarian relief in the region; as well as their support to some four million Palestinians in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon – thereby supporting stability across the region.

Following the allegations by Israel that 12 staff members were involved in the attacks on Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned, the UK has paused any future funding of UNRWA in line with other donors.

I commend the quick and decisive action taken by the UN, including the launch of two independent investigations.

We look forward to seeing the interim reports and want UNRWA to set out a clear plan of action and commitments that address findings to ensure real change.

I reiterate that the UK remains committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it.  We are working with our partners to try and bring this situation to a rapid conclusion – not least because UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza, and the wider region.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

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

Thank you President, and thank you Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for your briefing.

I also welcome the participation of the representative of South Sudan at our meeting.

Let me begin by praising SRSG Haysom and UNMISS for their tireless efforts in protecting and assisting the people of South Sudan in challenging and often dangerous circumstances.

President, the picture in South Sudan remains bleak.  The country has witnessed terrible violence since independence.  The South Sudanese authorities need to take every measure to prevent it from descending into violence again.

We call on the Government of South Sudan to mitigate this risk by demonstrating true political will, and urgently taking the necessary steps to deliver credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.

To date, very limited progress has been made. We welcome the fact that members of both the National Constitutional Review and National Elections Commission have now been sworn in.

We call on the Government of South Sudan to disperse the allocated resources to enable this crucial work to get underway.

And we further urge the South Sudanese authorities to take immediate action on the critical political decisions as set out by UNMISS. T

hese steps include voter registration, agreeing the type of election to be called, a permanent constitution, and implementation of the necessary parts of the Peace Agreement, including deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces.

Candidates and parties need to be able to campaign freely without threat. So we call on the South Sudanese Government to protect civic and political space as cornerstones of a functioning democracy.

President, elections would represent a historic moment for the South Sudanese people who have yet to enjoy the benefits of peace.

Sub-national armed conflict, the effects of climate change, and displacement from Sudan have resulted in an appalling humanitarian crisis.

The United Kingdom recognises the South Sudanese Government’s efforts to support arrivals from Sudan and notes the stress this is placing on communities and resources.

We call on the South Sudanese Government to provide a conducive environment for delivery of aid, to remove bureaucratic impediments and prevent attacks on aid workers.

In closing, a huge task lies ahead. The people of South Sudan deserve peace, democracy, and a government that is accountable to them.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

UK top official launches Gaashaan project to support survivors of gender based-violence in Somalia.

• UK’s top diplomat joins Somali Minister for Women, Human Rights and Development, Amina Hassan Ali, to launch Gaashaan project in Mogadishu.
• The launch event, hosted by journalist Ifrah Noor, includes Somali delivery partners, Save the Children, CARE and the International Rescue Committee.
• UK funding to the Gaashaan project will support survivors of gender-based violence, tackle child protection concerns, as well as empower local women rights organisations to end gender-based violence in humanitarian crises.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the UK’s top diplomat, Sir Philip Barton, joined British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis and Somali Minister for Women, Human Rights and Development, Amina Hassan Ali, to launch the UK’s flagship Gaashaan project, which will support survivors of gender-based violence across Somalia.

The launch event, held on 4 March, featured a roundtable discussion on women’s political empowerment and women’s rights in Somalia, chaired by Chief Editor of Bilan Media, Ifrah Noor. The event also recognised the efforts of women’s rights organisations in addressing risks faced by women and children in Somalia.

Ifrah Noor, Chief Editor of Bilan Media, said:

Women’s participation in political spaces can only be fully achieved if proper accommodations are made. We have to finance, equip and train women to be influential leaders and to turn our words into action.

Partners delivering the project, including Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, CARE, Save Somali Women and Children, Somali Women and Development Centre Somali Women’s Studies Centre, and Gargaar Relief and Development Organisation spoke to invitees about the impact of the project, which is already improving lives across the country.

British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, said:

As we prepare to mark International Women’s Day, it was fantastic to welcome Minister Amina Hassan Ali and partners to launch our flagship women and girls programme – Gaashaan.

The Gaashaan programme will have a tangible impact on the lives of Somali women and girls, addressing impacts of climate shocks and conflict by offering support to survivors of gender-based violence.

Somali Minister, Amina Hassan Ali, said:

We are very pleased with the UK’s support in protecting Somali women and children. On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Ministry of Women, Human Rights and Development is delighted to commemorate International Women’s Day with the launch of Gaashaan project.

In December, the UK announced £15 million to establish Gaashaan and help support survivors of gender-based violence over the next four years.

The Gaashaan project (which in Somali means “shield”), will reach over 117,000 people, offering improved access to specialised protection services. It will also work to empower grassroots communities and women’s rights organisations, to prevent gender-based violence and other forms of violence impacting women. The project will also help tackle child protection concerns. All of these challenges are compounded by conflict and climate change in Somalia.

Notes to Editors

• You can follow UK activity in Somalia on Twitter/X and Facebook or at www.gov.uk/world/somalia/news
• Further information on the UK-Somalia development partnership can be found here.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

The UK delivered a statement on 6 February 2024 during Malta’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council.

Thank you,

The United Kingdom welcomes Malta’s strong record on human rights, including on LGBT+ rights. Malta’s commitment to the rights of LGBT+ people was further evidenced last year during their successful hosting of EuroPride.

The United Kingdom also notes the continued efforts of the Maltese government to deliver reforms regarding media freedom and the rule of law. In particular the United Kingdom recognises Malta’s efforts to deliver against the recommendations of the public inquiry into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

We recommend that Malta:

1. Review progress against all the recommendations of the public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia to make clear what the next steps will be.
2. To continue to drive progress on gender issues, in particular women’s rights, as well as use their seat on the UNSC to advocate for Women, Peace and Security.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and any other child sexual abuse material.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her recent report and continued work on this important issue.

We are committed to preventing the worst forms of child labour, including child sexual exploitation and abuse online and within at-risk communities around the world.

In the UK, we are prioritising making it the safest place for children to be online with our Online Safety Act legislation. The Act puts the strongest protections in place for children and places clear legal duties on platforms to report, remove and limit child sexual abuse material on platforms – including in end-to-end encrypted environments.

We also support an Action-Research-Innovation programme in South and South-Eastern Asia, “CLARISSA”, which has increased knowledge on the worst forms of child labour in the adult entertainment sector. Through innovative participatory research, this programme has shown the value of engaging both children and business owners to better understand the sector’s complexity. This, in turn, supports interventions that address children’s rights violations and successfully reduce child exploitation.

Special Rapporteur, how can states foster better international coordination to reduce child sexual exploitation and abuse across all sectors?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Joanna Roper, at the 105th Executive Council.

Mr Chair, Director General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, let me begin by thanking Ambassador Fatu for a year of dedicated service to this Council. His leadership has driven important progress, including on issues that we have been struggling to resolve for many years.

I also thank Director General Arias for his report reflecting on the work of the Technical Secretariat. We are encouraged by the level of progress in a number of priority areas, building upon the momentum generated in 2023. The UK is committed fully to supporting the Technical Secretariat’s programme of work in the coming year, including on enhancing geographical and other forms of representation including gender balance and tackling emerging threats.

Mr Chair, this organisation rightly celebrates the Convention’s success, but we are reminded too of the threat that chemical weapons continue to pose. My Prime Minister expressed his shock at the recent death of Alexei Navalny, noting that “He died for a cause for which he dedicated his whole life, freedom”. His shocking poisoning by Russia in 2020 using Novichok is a stark reminder of the modern threat we face.

This week we also mark the sixth anniversary of the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury. Five people were injured and Dawn Sturgess, poisoned in nearby Amesbury, tragically died. Only the Russian state had the technical means, operational experience and the motive to carry out the attack.

The attack in Salisbury and the 2020 poisoning of Alexei Navalny demonstrate Russia’s utter contempt for the basic principles that sit at the heart of the CWC. This contempt for international law extends to Putin’s illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine. Two years since the beginning of Putin’s war, we continue to see evidence of Russian use of riot control agents, in clear breach of Article I of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The UK stands with Ukraine and any use of chemical weapons in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would bring severe consequences.

Mr Chair, I would like to acknowledge the IIT’s expert and diligent work to deliver the report published on 22 February, which found reasonable grounds to believe that Daesh were responsible for a sulphur mustard attack in Marea in September 2015. This report further confirms Daesh’s use of chemical weapons in Syria. Independent reports from the JIM and IIT have now attributed a total of 4 chemical weapon attacks to Daesh and a further 9 to the Syrian regime.

We call on all States Parties and the Technical Secretariat to implement in full the Decision adopted at the 28th Conference of States Parties on ‘Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use and the Threat of Future Use’. This Decision will help us to mitigate the continuing, serious risks presented by both the Syrian Regime and non-state actors to Syrian civilians and regional security.

Mr Chair, as we enter 2024, the work of the OPCW is more important than ever. We welcome the approval of the biennial budget at the 28th Conference of States Parties and decisions taken in November to improve the long-term viability of this crucial organisation. Yet, the threat of future chemical attack by both state and non-state actors demonstrates the need for us all to work even more intensively to ensure chemical weapon use is confined to history. Let me close by thanking the Director General and colleagues for working so hard to pursue this outcome. Thank you Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at UN General Assembly on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

President, the civilian suffering in Gaza cannot continue.

Hunger has reached devastating levels.

Disease is on the rise.

People are crammed into ever smaller slivers of land, with nowhere left to go.

Last week, the UK and Jordan air-dropped four tonnes of life-saving aid to the Tal Al-Hawa hospital in northern Gaza.

We also announced an additional $5.4 million in aid to ensure UNFPA can continue to provide life-saving support to more than 100,000 vulnerable women and girls in Gaza.

As my Prime Minister has told Prime Minister Netanyahu and regional leaders, we are deeply concerned about the prospect of a military offensive in Rafah.

Over half of Gaza’s population are sheltering in the area, and the Rafah crossing is vital to ensure aid can reach the people who so desperately need it.

The deaths of people in Gaza waiting for an aid convoy last week were horrific.

There must be an urgent investigation and accountability.

This must not happen again.

And we cannot separate what happened from the inadequate aid supplies.

In February, only half the number of trucks crossed into Gaza that crossed in January.

This is simply unconscionable.

President, Israel has an obligation to ensure that significantly more humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza.

We have identified a series of bottlenecks that need addressing: Israel must urgently open more crossings into Gaza; eliminate bureaucratic obstacles; enable aid operations in Gaza; and ensure there is a robust de-confliction mechanism in place to protect ordinary Palestinians, NGOs, medical staff and others providing aid.

This latest tragedy serves only to underscore the importance of securing an immediate end in fighting, leading to a permanent and sustainable ceasefire.

The negotiations led by Egypt, Qatar and the US are the only way to get lifesaving aid in at the scale needed and to free the hostages currently held by Hamas.

Such a deal would offer the basis from which to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and lasting peace.

The elements essential to achieving this are: first, the release of all hostages.

Second, the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package.

Third, removing Hamas’s capability to launch attacks against Israel.

Fourth, Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza.

Fifth, and finally, a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution, with a clear commitment to grant Palestine recognition, including at the United Nations.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2024.

HRC55: UK Statement for Item 2 General Debate. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

High Commissioner,

We continue to support implementation of the peace agreement, as South Sudan works towards credible and peaceful elections. But accountability remains severely limited and we urge this Council to extend the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights.

In Sudan, warring parties must be held accountable for the egregious human rights violations and abuses. We call for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and a return to a civilian-led democratic transition.

We urge President Ortega to fully respect the human rights of all Nicaraguans and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

Civil society in Libya continues to face restrictions and regular reprisals by armed groups and security actors. The UK urges all sides to engage in the UN-facilitated Libyan-led political process in good faith.

Civilians are paying the price for the conflict in Amhara and Oromia in Ethiopia. Civilians must be protected and we offer our assistance to find peaceful resolution and support for reconciliation and transitional justice.

High Commissioner, it has been 18 months since your office published its Xinjiang Assessment. We have still seen no progress or meaningful engagement by China on its recommendations. We welcome an update from your office on this.