Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the G7 on the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by North Korea.

G7 statement:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s December 18 (local time) launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), following four previous ICBM launches this year as well as other launches using ballistic missile technology.

North Korea continues to advance its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and to escalate its destabilizing activities. We reiterate our call for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and demand that North Korea abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and all other existing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). We deplore North Korea’s choice to prioritize its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs over the welfare of the people in North Korea.

North Korea’s repeated reckless actions must be met with a swift, united, and robust international response, particularly by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We urge UNSC Members to follow through on their commitments and call on all UN Member States to fully and effectively implement relevant UNSCRs. In this context, we are deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology to North Korea, which would further threaten the peace and stability of the region as well as across the globe, and seriously undermine the global non-proliferation regime that we all value and that substantially contributes to our collective security. We also reiterate our strong condemnation on arms transfers from North Korea to Russia, which directly violate relevant UNSCRs. We urge North Korea and Russia to abide by relevant UNSCRs and immediately cease all such activities. We continue to call on North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept the repeated offers of dialogue without preconditions put forward by Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea.

The G7 remains committed to working with all relevant partners toward the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to upholding the international order based on the rule of law.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

The UK ‘s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, made a statement during Cuba’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 15 November 2023.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We remain concerned by the severe penalties handed down to pro-democracy and human rights campaigners.

We welcome, however, the steps taken by Cuba to legalise same-sex marriage. The growing participation of women in political and economic life is also positive, but we regret the lack of initiatives to address gender-based violence.

So, we recommend that Cuba:

1. Ensures the right to a fair trial through adherence to the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary.
2. Amends the provisions of its 2022 Penal Code to prevent its use to restrict freedom of expression and assembly.
3. Establishes femicide as a separate offence in its Penal Code.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

Interactive dialogue on the interim oral update by the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua. Statement delivered by the UK at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr Vice President.

A climate of repression pervades Nicaragua. The systematic use by the Nicaraguan authorities of threats and coercion, arbitrary detention and imprisonment, and the forced exile and stripping of nationality of opponents is becoming all too familiar.

The absence of an independent judiciary and the passing of legislation designed to mute dissent has resulted in further erosion of the freedoms of association and expression.

Moreover, the unjustified decision of 10 May 2023 by Nicaragua’s National Assembly to rescind the legal status of the Nicaraguan Red Cross Association and confiscate its assets is deeply regrettable. This closure is part of a wider, coordinated set of actions by the Nicaraguan authorities directed against civil society organisations, educational and charitable institutions; more than 3,000 institutions have been closed since 2018.

We will continue to use our voice at multilateral institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council to condemn the human rights violations committed by Nicaraguan authorities and support the work of the UN’s Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

Deputy High Commissioner,

We would welcome your views on what more can be done to obtain the release of all political prisoners and the restoration of all civil and political rights by the Nicaraguan authorities.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

The FCDO has issued a statement on the escalation of violence in Sudan.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development spokesperson said:

The past week has seen an escalation of violence in Gezira State, Sudan, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have advanced towards Wad Medani. The town had been a safe haven for displaced people and an important hub for the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. We urge the RSF to cease their attacks and we condemn reports of the arbitrary arrests of civilians in Wad Medani carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces.

We are very concerned by the situation in El Fasher, following reports of renewed fighting on December 16. We call on both sides to comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, and urge them to refrain from actions that will exacerbate the conflict and further divide Sudan along ethnic lines. The only way to sustainable peace is through a civilian-led and inclusive peace process and we commend the recent efforts by regional partners, led by The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to bring the parties together.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

Thank you, President, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza and the intense suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians shows no sign of abating. Israel is reckoning with the brutal horror of the 7 October attacks. More than 130 hostages continue to be held by Hamas. Just this morning, I met with the parents of one girl still held hostage, I will carry their words with me for a long time.

As my Prime Minister has said, we need a sustainable ceasefire that breaks the cycle of violence. Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel, all hostages must be released, and aid must flow into Gaza. This is the only way to achieve a sustainable peace based on a two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security.

President, we are focused on three areas:

First, too many civilians have been killed. Israel must be targeted and precise in its efforts to address the threat posed by Hamas, and should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians. Civilian infrastructure must be protected in line with international humanitarian law. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have repeatedly delivered this message to Israel, and we will continue to do so.

Second, we need to continue to work on increasing the amount of humanitarian support into Gaza through as many direct routes as possible. The agreement to open Kerem Shalom is welcome. We look forward to its urgent implementation. Israel should also immediately increase the range of humanitarian items allowed into Gaza.

Third, as we heard today, in recent months the violence of extremist settlers in the West Bank has dramatically increased.  Since 7 October, there have been eight Palestinians killed by Israeli settlers, including one child, and at least 1,257 displaced amidst settler violence and access restrictions. We strongly condemn these hateful acts, which undermine prospects for peace. We are banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts. Israel also must do more to hold perpetrators of settler violence to account and to end the demolition and confiscation of Palestinian property.

And we reiterate our call on Israel to immediately and completely stop all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and its Lower Aqueduct. We are clear, these settlements are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability and delivery of a two-state solution which must become a reality to ensure justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, responds to North Korea missile tests.

The UK condemns the latest launches of an Intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 December and a short range ballistic missile on 17 December by North Korea; these actions clearly breach multiple UN Security Resolutions.

This repeated escalation of testing is deeply damaging for regional stability and further destabilises the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges North Korea to refrain from illegal launches, return to dialogue swiftly and to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

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

Thank you, President. Let me thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and the wider UN Secretariat for their support in the implementation of resolution 2231. I also thank Ambassador Olof Skoog for his briefing and Ambassador Frazier for her briefing and work as facilitator.

President, since refusing the opportunity to restore the JCPoA through the deals tabled in 2022, Iran has continued to escalate its nuclear programme. Transition Day has now passed and the UK & EU have maintained proliferation-related sanctions on Iran, in accordance with the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism. The UK is fully committed to using all diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from delivering a nuclear weapon.

The IAEA reports that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is 22 times over JCPoA limits. It manufactures and operates thousands of prohibited advanced centrifuges, gaining irreversible knowledge which the JCPoA sought to prevent. Iran continues producing highly enriched uranium, for which there is no credible civilian justification, calling into question the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Additionally, Iran is launching missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons and is testing technologies directly applicable to medium and long-range ballistic missiles, in the form of satellite launch vehicles.

President, Iran’s missile programme remains of fundamental concern for nuclear non-proliferation.

The Secretary-General has acknowledged evidence showing that, during the period of restrictions under this resolution, Iran developed and exported missiles without seeking the Council’s authorisation. Iran supplied ballistic missiles to armed groups in Iraq, Yemen and Syria, which are targeting Red Sea shipping and Coalition personnel in the region. And as USG DiCarlo said, the UK has also provided evidence that Iran supplied UAVs to Russia. These UAVs have subsequently been used to attack civilians in Ukraine. All such transfers were in violation of resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231’s restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile activities may have been lifted, but the Council must continue to hold Iran to account for its proliferation activities by this or any other resolution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

Joint statement by UK, France and Germany following the Security Council meeting on the implementation of resolution 2231.

Today, the Security Council discussed the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, particularly Iran’s nuclear activity, missile development and continued weapons proliferation inconsistent with that resolution.

In November, the IAEA Director General yet again issued a report which starkly outlines the deplorable state of Iran’s commitments under the JCPoA.

The IAEA reports that the total stockpiles of Iran’s enriched uranium now stand at 22 times the JCPoA limit. Iran’s stockpiles of high enriched uranium up to 60% are unprecedented for a state without a nuclear weapons programme.

Iran has been in violation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPoA, which is endorsed by resolution 2231, for more than four years. There is no credible civilian justification for the state of Iran’s nuclear programme. The current trajectory only brings Iran closer to weapons-related capabilities; this is of utmost concern for international peace and security.

Iran’s ongoing lack of cooperation with the IAEA prevents the IAEA from carrying out vital work to determine the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and undermines the global non-proliferation architecture. Iran’s agreements with the IAEA and its legal obligations must be pursued in full, without further delay, as repeatedly requested by the Director General. It is especially concerning to see Iran flatly deny to the IAEA its legal obligation to implement Modified Code 3.1. All these actions undermine the case that Iran’s nuclear programme is of an exclusively peaceful nature as well as any confidence the international community has in its wider commitments and obligations.

We welcome the Secretary General’s recognition of the UK’s evidence exposing Iran’s proliferation of missiles and missile technologies to non-state actors in the region and beyond, which endanger the region and the whole international community, and were carried out in violation of resolution 2231.

Furthermore, while restricted by this resolution, Iran transferred hundreds of UAVs to Russia, deliberately supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Deliveries took place in the knowledge that Russia uses them to target Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Neither Russia nor Iran have ever sought authorisation for these transfers, which are therefore a breach of resolution 2231 by both states. We continue to urge Iran to cease its reckless proliferative activities in the region and beyond.

Iran has developed and tested ballistic missiles and related technologies extensively in complete disregard for this resolution, undermining global non-proliferation principles and architecture. This requires particular scrutiny as resolution 2231 restrictions on Iran’s missile programme were automatically lifted on 18 October, despite Iran having consistently ignored these restrictions.

Today we must reflect on Iran’s continued and long-lasting contempt for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 and its restrictions. We remain determined that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and must reverse its nuclear escalation. We emphasise once again our determination to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis, as demonstrated by our consistent efforts in that regard.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

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

We welcome the SRSG’s efforts to convene representatives of the five major stakeholders in a preparatory meeting as a next step towards resolving the outstanding issues related to elections.

We note, however, that only three of the five invited parties – the High State Council, Government of National Unity, and Presidential Council – have so far nominated representatives, with others setting preconditions for their participation.

The SRSG has been clear that the preparatory meeting will provide space for all parties to express their concerns. We therefore reiterate our expectation that Libya’s leaders respond to the SRSG’s invitation constructively. We call on all parties to engage in good faith without preconditions. To do otherwise prevents progress towards the elections that 2.8 million Libyans have registered for.

President, we remain concerned at the shrinking space for civil society across Libya, alongside the alarming trend of human rights violations, particularly in regard to migrants and refugees, that continue without accountability.

Civic space must be protected to allow Libyans to hold their leaders accountable and empower everyone to play a role in developing an open, democratic society with freedom of association, operation and assembly. We also regret the tragic incident of 61 migrants who drowned following the shipwreck off Libya this weekend.

As Libya begins reconstruction in response to the devastating floods in September, it remains vital that this is funded through a unified Libyan approach, with full transparency, effective oversight, and accountability. Libyan public funds must be used for the benefit of all Libyans, with the Libyan people having a voice in how public money is spent.

President, the benefits of setting Libya on the path towards a democratic, united, and stable state would be enormous. It would allow the full reintegration of Libya’s people and economy into the international community.

We urge those invited to the preparatory meeting of the major stakeholders to fully engage in order to fulfil their responsibilities to the Libyan people. The UK will continue to support the SRSG and work across Libya’s divides to deliver for the Libyan people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

Statement delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at the UDHR commemoration event in Geneva.

Thank you, Deputy High Commissioner.

The United Kingdom is delighted to have submitted five pledges.

First, to support the vital work of Human Rights Defenders, through funding their work, monitoring their cases and raising concerns with other governments.

Second, to advance equality by increasing our support to LGBT organisations, to persons with disabilities, and to women and girls through bilateral aid.

Third, to prioritise the right to freedom of religion or belief and to strengthen international coalitions seeking to uphold this right.

Fourth, we will support survivor-led organisations and civil society working to end modern slavery in our funding to international programmes.

And fifth, we will work towards raising the standards of public and private security organisations through greater adherence to voluntary standards.

Thank you.