Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 December 2023.

On behalf of the UK and other states Ambassador Anne-Kirsti Karlsen of Norway reaffirms our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recalls the impact of Russia’s invasion on human rights in Ukraine.

Madam Chair.

On behalf of the following countries: Albania, Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom we will all solemnly reflect and reaffirm our commitment on this 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The past decades have witnessed the transformative power of human rights in improving lives across the globe. Members of civil society and others who stand up for human rights and democracy have played a pivotal role in advancing the respect and protection of human rights. However, today’s challenges remind us that our journey towards upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms is far from over. Respecting human rights of all people is key to our common future, peace, and stability.

In Ukraine, civilians suffer from Russian hostilities. Evidence of atrocities is being collected for accountability and memorialisation purposes.

In Iran, human rights defenders and particularly women continue to face arbitrary detention and lengthy prison sentences.

In Afghanistan, women and girls are facing systemic and institutional discrimination. They have been excluded from public life and banned from secondary and higher education.

In Belarus the practice of incommunicado and lengthy detentions – with a risk of enforced disappearances – continues to increase for members of the political opposition.

In Russia, fear of repression has led protesters to use blank sheets of paper as a symbol of their silenced voices. The assault on LGBTQI+ rights has become a symbol of Russia’s rejection of universal human rights.

Madam Chair.

We face a complex web of conflicts, the lingering effects of the pandemic, climate crisis, disinformation, and attacks on democratic institutions, all stressing our human rights system.

In the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, over 100,000 people had to flee to Armenia and had to leave everything behind.

Recognizing Israel’s right to ensure its security, we also remind the belligerents of their obligations in the conduct of hostilities. In particular that of respecting the principles of international humanitarian law, including humanity, proportionality, distinction, and precaution in all circumstances.

Madam Chair.

Shrinking civic space is a fundamental challenge to the role of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights. Human rights defenders need protection and support. In particular, we need to defend and promote the rights of all women and girls and to ensure their full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in all spheres of public life.

Without the liberty for media to operate freely, to report and analyse events without fear of censorship or reprisal, true security cannot be achieved.

Nowhere in the OSCE region is media freedom under greater threat than in the Russian Federation and in the parts of Ukraine that Russia has illegally occupied.

Protecting journalists and ending impunity is key to the OSCE’s vision of comprehensive security. And we applaud the OSCE’s Representative on the Freedom of the Media in upholding this fundamental pillar.

Madam Chair.

We acknowledge democratic governance and the rule of law as the cornerstones of stable, prosperous and peaceful societies safeguarding democracy is an important part of that.  We commend ODIHR for conducting an impressive number of 24 election observation missions in 23 OSCE participating States this year alone.

The principle of universality and indivisibility of human rights needs to be upheld. Political shifts and economic progress cannot undermine fundamental freedoms; security should never be prioritized over the rights of individuals; the need for online privacy cannot conflict with our duty to protect children from sexual abuse. Just as managing migratory flows should never be more important than protecting people who need protection.

Madam Chair.

The promotion and protection of human rights is not just a moral imperative or a strategic necessity, it is based on legal obligations. It’s an integral part of a broader approach that recognizes the interdependence of human rights, economic development, and political stability in achieving lasting peace and security.

Violations of human rights serve as early warning signs of greater instability or impending conflict. By monitoring and addressing these violations, the OSCE can take proactive measures to prevent the escalation of conflicts, thereby contributing to the security of the whole region.

As we commemorate this anniversary, we confirm our dedication to these rights and principles, understanding that the path towards a world where every individual’s dignity and rights are respected is a continuous journey, one that we must undertake with unwavering commitment and collective effort.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 December 2023.

Lord Ahmad gave a statement on reports of sexual violence by Hamas, calling for them to be fully investigated to ensure justice for survivors and victims.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 December 2023.

The UK and international partners call on Israel to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Joint statement:

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom call on Israel to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom express their grave concern about the record number of attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Since the start of October, settlers have committed more than 343 violent attacks, killing 8 Palestinian civilians, injuring more than 83, and forcing 1026 Palestinians from their homes.

We strongly condemn the violent acts committed by extremist settlers, which are terrorising Palestinian communities. We reiterate our position that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and remind Israel of its obligations under international law, in particular Article 49 of Geneva Convention IV.

This rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians is unacceptable. Israel, as the occupying power, must protect the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank. Those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice. Israel’s failure to protect Palestinians and prosecute extremist settlers has led to an environment of near complete impunity in which settler violence has reached unprecedented levels. This undermines security in the West Bank and the region and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.

While we welcomed the Government of Israel’s statement on this issue on 9 November where it conveyed that action would be taken against violent perpetrators, proactive steps must now be taken to ensure the effective and immediate protection of Palestinian communities. Words are important, but must now be translated into action.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 December 2023.

Mrs Laura Davies has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland in succession to Mrs Theresa Bubbear OBE.

Mrs Laura Davies has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland in succession to Mrs Theresa Bubbear OBE who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service.  Mrs Davies will take up her appointment in September 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Laura Davies

Date	Role
Jan 2022 to present	UNESCO, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate
2019 to 2022	Paris, Head of Politics, Engagement and Public Affairs, British Embassy
2017 to 2018	FCO, Projects Task Force, Special Unpaid Leave (SUPL) Network Coordinator (whilst on SUPL)
2014 to 2017	Colombo, Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka and Maldives, British High Commission
2012 to 2013	FCO, Deputy Head, Migration Directorate
2012 to 2016	Helsinki, Deputy Head of Mission
2012	Maternity leave
2009 to 2011	FCO, Deputy Head, Counter Proliferation Department
2009	Maternity leave
2007 to 2008	Islamabad, Deputy Political Counsellor (Pakistan Policy & Operations), British High Commission
2005 to 2007	FCO, Secretary to the Board of Management
2004 to 2005	FCO, Strategic Policy Adviser
2001 to 2004	Addis Ababa, Second Secretary, British Embassy
2000	First Secretary, External Relations, UK Permanent Representation to the European Union

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 December 2023.

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

Thank you President. I thank SRSG Haysom and Ambassador Biang for their updates, and I welcome the presence of South Sudan at this meeting.

President, as we’ve just heard, South Sudan is due to hold elections in just 12 months. Yet few of the basic building blocks for a credible process are in place.

The United Kingdom welcomes the passing of the Elections Act, and the reconstitution of the Electoral and Political Parties Commissions. Such laws, however, need to be implemented and the institutions they create well resourced. This requires genuine political will.

There are fundamental questions for South Sudan to urgently address including on how the South Sudanese casts their votes and how many levels of government they are voting for.

For elections to be free and fair, we urge the South Sudanese authorities to ensure the necessary political and civic space so political parties, civil society and voters can freely express views without fear of reprisal.

The South Sudanese population should feel safe during and after elections.  We call on South Sudan to finalise the deployment of a single, unified national army and to ensure they are adequately paid and provided for.

As we’ve heard, the fighting in Sudan is having a severe impact on South Sudan. Over 434,000 people have now arrived since the outbreak of conflict.

The UK recognises the South Sudanese Government’s provision of transportation to refugees, and the important work of the UN system and humanitarian partners in their response to the crisis.

We repeat our call on the government to create a more enabling environment for humanitarian action, and ensure the safety of aid workers.

President, in closing, we call upon the Government to demonstrate its willingness to put aside individual ambitions and differences. Without this, a credible, safe, and inclusive process next year will not be possible.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 December 2023.

The inaugural UK-EU Cyber Dialogue took place in Brussels on 14 December 2023, the first one held under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

On 14 December 2023, the inaugural UK-EU Cyber Dialogue took place in Brussels. It was the first dialogue held under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Cyber Dialogue was a welcome opportunity for the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) to discuss a wide range of cyber issues including international security, emerging technologies, internet governance, cybersecurity, cyber defence and cybercrime.

Officials exchanged views on policies for secure technology, digital identity and cyber resilience, as well as deterrence strategies against cyber threats, cyber sanctions, and capacity building. The 2 sides also spoke about global cyber governance, responsible behaviour in cyberspace, and international cooperation in multilateral fora including the United Nations’ Programme of Action to Advance Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace and Cybercrime Treaty negotiations and agreed to continue their exchanges.

The UK delegation was co-chaired by Will Middleton, Cyber Director in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Andrew Elliot, Deputy Director for Cyber Security, in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Officials from the Home Office, DSIT, FCDO and the UK Mission to the European Union also participated. On the EU side, which also included observers from EU member states, the Dialogue was co-chaired by Joanneke Balfoort, Director for Security and Defence Policy, of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and Lorena Biox Alonso, Director for Digital Society, Trust and Cybersecurity of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect).

Both sides agreed to hold the next UK-EU Cyber Dialogue in London in 2024.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 December 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks Canada for chairing the Forum for Security Cooperation professionally, despite Russia’s unacceptable behaviour.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for your professional and dignified stewardship of this Forum over the past trimester.  Thank you to you and your team for ensuring that this Forum has remained relevant and able to fulfil its mandate – which is particularly important during these difficult times.

You have been right to keep this Forum focused on Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine.  An invasion which challenges the foundations of European security.  Which violates the UN Charter. And which flagrantly disregards the Helsinki Final Act’s core principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force.  Under your leadership, we have shown that these principles and this Forum continue to matter.  And that we will keep on defending both.

Madam Chair, the Security Dialogues this trimester focused different thematic lenses on Ukraine. On issues including Mine Action; International Humanitarian Law; and Women, Peace, and Security. It is essential that we continue to champion women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in political and peace processes. You also tabled, for the first time, timely FSC discussions on Mental Health and Information Integrity. Our discussions demonstrated why these are particularly pressing in light of Russia’s war.

Since 24 February last year, we have seen the extraordinary determination of the Ukrainian people as they have defended their homeland. And we have seen a frustrated Russian military unleash unconscionable amounts of violence on civilians and critical national infrastructure. Despite the disinformation perpetrated by our Russian colleagues, it is clear to all that Putin made a grave miscalculation when he chose to invade a sovereign neighbour. Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This could not be further from the truth.

Sadly, Russia’s destructive behaviour in Ukraine has been mirrored in the OSCE. We condemn Russia’s ongoing disregard for the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and the principles of arms control. Including through its formal withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. The Russian delegation blocked consensus on holding formal FSC Security Dialogues on International Humanitarian Law and Information Integrity. And most absurdly, it also blocked a discussion only on General Statements – another unwelcome first for the OSCE. The behaviour of the Russian delegation in this Forum – which I note has once again left the room today – has too-often breached diplomatic norms. And the Russian delegation can throw up as much chaff as they like about the work of the FSC and other countries interactions with this forum. But there is one simple fact that lies behind any dysfunction in the FSC. And that is that one participating State, Russia, has invaded another and in doing so trampled over the principles of this organisation. Everything is subordinate to and derivative from that act of brutality. Thank you again, Madam Chair, for standing up to unacceptable behaviour.

I wish to conclude by thanking Bulgaria as it leaves the FSC Troika, and to welcome Croatia. As the incoming Chair, Cyprus can count on the UK’s full, continued support next trimester. As can Ukraine – which will remain at the forefront of our minds over the winter and into next year. The UK and our partners will continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 December 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland notes Russia’s continued, remorseless war of aggression against Ukraine and emphasises the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr Chair. As we look forward to the end of 2023 and the holiday season, the people of Ukraine are marking over 650 days since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.

During this year, Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure has been attacked remorselessly by Russia, resulting in unacceptable civilian deaths and injuries. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) figures show over 27,000 civilian casualties since the invasion: 9,701 killed and 17,748 injured. In addition, reports detail countless horrific human rights violations, including conflict related sexual violence against women and girls, not to mention against civilian detainees and prisoners of war, including a rise in cases against males.

And this is not just a violation of human rights on a massive scale. Russia’s aggression has had a wide impact across all three dimensions, as we will no doubt hear shortly from the three Chairs.

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam was an environmental catastrophe. And the damage has not been restricted to just Ukraine: Russia’s war of choice has had severe environmental impacts that stretch beyond Ukraine’s sovereign borders, affecting other participating States in the OSCE region. Furthermore, Russia’s withdrawal from Black Sea Grain Initiative has impacted the global stability of food supply.

The UK has been, and is proud to support Ukraine, through the OSCE, bilaterally and through other multilateral channels:

• This year the Ukraine Recovery Conference raised more than $60 billion for reconstruction and post-conflict recovery. We look forward to Germany’s 2024 conference.
• The UK has contributed £4.1 billion in fiscal support for Ukraine, and over £640 million in bilateral assistance. The UK’s total military, humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine now amounts to £9.3 billion. We know we are in good company, with friends and allies around this table also giving significant support.
• We have also moved quickly to ensure that those who have fled persecution in Ukraine can find safety in the UK through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine – with 247,000 visas now issued in total in the UK

And we  continue to hold Russia to account in the OSCE for its actions:

• Every week, we come to this forum to state for the record our condemnation of Russia’s actions and counter misinformation.  And we were glad that the Ministerial Council showed that a vast majority of us condemn Russia’s actions.
• This year’s Moscow Mechanism Report – the third concerning Russian actions since February 2022 – on the deportation or transfer of children, further exposed the harrowing experience of Ukrainian children and families, at the hands of Russian leadership.
• And while we regret that the full-scale conferences were not able to take place, the Chair’s ASRC in the summer and the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference in October enabled us to discuss accountability in the first and third dimensions.  Overcoming Russian obstruction across the OSCE agenda has been a significant achievement and we thank the CiO in particular for making this possible.

Mr Chair, this has been another year of brutality endured by our friends in Ukraine. And we have not forgotten our colleagues, the three OSCE staff members of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) who have been detained by Russia for over 500 days. The UK again calls for their immediate release. There is absolutely no justification for their detention.

We condemn Russia’s ongoing aggression. We call on Russia to withdraw their troops from Ukraine and stop the killing.  And we pledge that in 2024 the UK will be there again, alongside Ukraine with moral and substantial support for as long as it takes.  The UK’s support for you will not falter.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 December 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks the three OSCE Committee chairs for their focus on Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine this year.

Thank you to the Chairs of the three Committees for presenting to the Permanent Council today. Irina, Florian, Anne-Marie and of course Stelian, we have been grateful to you and to our Chair-in-Office for your strong leadership over the past year. We are also grateful to your dedicated teams. Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine has struck at the very core of the obligations we have all freely signed up to as members of this organisation. Under your stewardship, and guided by our CiO, OSCE Committees have been determined to uphold collectively these principles because they form the foundation of the security of every State represented in this room.

Irina, we have seen in the Security Committee that the repercussions of conflict are wide-ranging and relevant to our work on transnational threats. We supported your approach to a flexible workplan to respond to the live context, and appreciated your inclusion of topics we have not covered before. Our meetings this year have highlighted how organised crime actors systematically exploit conflict-affected areas for their own ends. We heard how Ukrainian police turned from non-combatants to standing together with the armed forces defending Mariupol, clearing Bucha and liberating Kherson. We heard how Ukraine and other countries work to counter Russian cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns. We saw how the OSCE Heritage Crime Task Force is working to tackle the risk of Ukraine’s cultural heritage being looted and trafficked. And our meeting on border management showed not just the challenges dealt with by the State Border Guard of Ukraine and neighbouring countries, but also how the situation in Afghanistan is leading to spill-over threats into Central Asia – and further into Europe.

Florian, thank you for your work this year. We welcome your efforts to keep Russia’s war and the incredible damage it is wreaking on the Ukrainian economy and environment on the agenda. It was right that we discussed pertinent issues such as food security and energy infrastructure – two issues terribly affected by Russia’s war. And we supported your decision to hold a special session on the Kakhovka dam – a truly catastrophic event, caused by Russia’s war, the effects of which will be felt for generations to come.

Anne-Marie, thank you for your adept and professional leadership of the Human Dimension Committee.  As Russia’s full-scale invasion illustrated so starkly, when fundamental freedoms are violated, our collective security is put in jeopardy.  And as Moscow Mechanism reports clearly show, internal repression enables external aggression. We have particularly appreciated the Committee’s focus on the consequences of Russia’s invasion as well as your consistent inclusion of strong voices from civil society across the OSCE.  At a time when some participating States seek to challenge the OSCE’s principles and commitments on human rights and democracy, we thank you for your resolute stance in defence of the OSCE’s vital work to safeguard fundamental freedoms.

My Foreign Secretary said at the Ministerial Council, “the UK is clear in our support for the OSCE”. Our shared OSCE principles and commitments sit at the heart of Euro-Atlantic security, and we will continue to work in the three Committees, with our Maltese CiO, and with the Secretariat, institutions, and field missions – to uphold them. Not just for Ukraine, but for all of us in this room.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 December 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly meeting on Reform of the Security Council.

Thank you for conveying this meeting of the IGN. The UK believes the Council must be reformed. We share your commitment to making progress, and hope that this new format of discussing all the clusters together, followed by in-depth discussions on the models, allows us to do so in this 78th session of the GA. Against the backdrop of increasing conflict around the world, the Council’s mandate to safeguard international peace and security is as relevant today as it was when the UN Charter was first signed in 1945.

Global multilateralism is the best tool we have to collectively tackle the challenges we face. We believe a reformed, more representative Council will be best placed to respond to the urgent peace and security issues of our time. Allow me to set out the UK’s longstanding position on the five clusters:

On categories of membership, the UK supports expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. We support permanent African representation and the addition of new permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan. In addition, we support the expansion of the non-permanent category to take the overall size of the Security Council to the mid-20s.

This vision of Council reform is guided by the principles outlined in Article 23 of the Charter. A reformed Council must include states that are willing and able to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security; it should ensure the Council remains responsive and effective; and it should deliver a Council more representative of the world it seeks to protect,  so we can all benefit from the perspectives and expertise of a wider range of UN membership.

On regional representation, we are clear the Council acts on behalf of the whole membership. States are elected to the Council, by the General Assembly, in their own right.

The working methods of the Council are critical to its effectiveness, and are a matter for the Council to decide. We have supported efforts to bring in perspectives of civil society and remain strong advocates on the importance of high-quality Council briefers.

Throughout the UK’s work on the Council, including on files on which we penhold, we strive to take a consensus-based and transparent approach. We consult frequently with relevant actors, including regional organisations and bodies. For example, our close consultation with ASEAN on Myanmar. And we seek opportunities to partner with Council members from the relevant region on country files on which we penhold. For example, working closely with our colleagues from the A3 on Somalia and Sudan.

The role of the elected members is invaluable in providing insight and expertise, and initiating new Council discussions and products, as with Resolution 2686 on tolerance and the protection of religious minorities in conflict settings, which we were proud to co-pen with the United Arab Emirates.

Turning to the veto. It is a heavy responsibility, to be used in the interest of securing the peace and security that people around the world seek, and the UN was established to provide. The United Kingdom has not used our veto since 1989. As a proud signatory of the Accountability, Coherence, and Transparency Group’s Code of Conduct, we remain committed never to vote against a credible draft resolution on preventing or ending a mass atrocity. We encourage all Member States, including the other permanent members of the Council, to support this initiative.

Co-chairs, finally let me address the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly. These two organs have distinct mandates as set out in the UN Charter. But as we have seen this week, there is an appetite from the wider membership to make clear their views on matters of international peace and security; we welcome those contributions.

In closing, let me reassure you of our commitment to reforming the Security Council, and to making meaningful progress in this session of the General Assembly.

Thank you.