Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 October 2023.

UK Defence Minister Baroness Goldie celebrates the relationship between the UK and the Philippines during her visit to Manila and Legazpi this week.

Baroness Goldie will meet with Defence Minister Teodoro on Wednesday in Manila. They will discuss the strengthening UK – Philippines relationship and shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the region, the Ministers also discussed the UK’s recent Integrated Review Refresh and the importance of maritime security and upholding maritime law.

The Minister will visit HMS Spey in Legazpi and attend the closing ceremonies of naval exercise SAMA SAMA, supporting international defence cooperation and the rules-based international order. HMS Spey will observe the joint PH-US maritime exercise, alongside Japan, Australia and Canada. Together with our allies, the UK is committed to freedom of navigation.

HMS Spey, the greenest ship in the Royal Navy, is on a five-year operation to the Indo-Pacific region alongside her sister ship HMS Tamar. Working with partners, the ship is helping tackle security challenges and support nations to deal with the impacts of climate change.

To pay her respects to all those fallen, the Minister will lay a wreath at the Commonwealth War Grave in the American Cemetery in Manila. The CWGC work tirelessly to maintain cemeteries around the world to ensure that the fallen will always be appropriately remembered.

UK Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie, said:

The UK remains committed to our relationship with the Philippines, and I am pleased both to be visiting for the first time and to be the first UK defence Minister to visit in many years.

I look forward to visiting Exercise SAMA SAMA, and discussing how the UK and the Philippines can deepen our defence cooperation as part of our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Baroness Goldie will discuss the UK’s enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific and regional peace and security during her visit. The UK Government is committed to further strengthening ties with the Philippines.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the interim report on Haiti. Delivered by the UK at the 54th Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Attorneys General of the British Overseas Territories meet to enhance cooperation on a number of wide-ranging issues.

The Attorneys General of British Overseas Territories (Anguilla; the British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Montserrat; and the Turks and Caicos Islands), Attorney General and representative of the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey and Jersey, a representative from the US Department of Justice and the Solicitor General for England and Wales alongside a delegation from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office met in Montserrat on 26th and 28th September for the 2023 Overseas Territories Attorneys General conference, to discuss a range of topics relating to the rule of law and administration of justice in the Territories and to enhance our mutual cooperation.

The Hon. Sheree Jemmotte-Rodney, Attorney General for Montserrat together with Michael Tomlinson KC MP, the Solicitor General for England and Wales, chaired the conference. This gathering, the first in person conference since 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic, was an opportunity for the UK, Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies Law Officers to exchange best practice and strengthen partnerships to support the delivery of priority issues.

During the conference the delegates discussed cooperation on a number of important topics, including constitutional processes, maritime issues, recognition of same-sex partnerships/marriage, safeguarding, irregular migration, criminal justice and law enforcement. Part of the discussions included recent positive experiences with constitutional reform negotiations, noting the complexities of agreeing constitutional changes and the need to develop expertise and knowledge on this subject. The Overseas Territories welcomed the opportunity for further engagement with the UK Government in this area.

The delegates welcomed the crucial role played by the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies in the implementation and enforcement of UK sanctions. Together, we are ensuring that sanctions legislation is operating effectively in our jurisdictions. Delegates agreed to exchange best practice and recommended the creation of a mechanism to facilitate an improved information sharing forum to help build capability and capacity.

The delegates shared experiences on legislation permitting same-sex partnerships and noted the steps taken by most Territories on this topic. We continue to welcome and encourage engagement and dialogue with all of the Overseas Territories to ensure that legislation, including for same-sex couples, is compliant with our human rights obligations.

Discussions on maritime issues included sharing information on delimitation, search and rescue and security. The delegates welcomed ongoing cooperation with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, including on conventions.

The delegates discussed the key issue of safeguarding, including the risk posed by technology, and legislative protections for vulnerable teens at risk of sexual grooming, and exploitation by adults in a position of trust. Delegates agreed to continue cooperation in this area to ensure the protection of those that are vulnerable in our societies. Furthermore, the discussion on criminal justice and law enforcement covered disclosure, legislation to protect the vulnerable, including sexual offences and domestic violence.

The delegates shared their common challenges with irregular migration, including unlawful entry and repatriation costs.

The UK Government and the Overseas Territories welcomed the opportunity to come together at the 2023 Attorneys General Conference. Delegates reiterated their joint commitment to cooperating to uphold the rule of law.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Central African Republic. Delivered by the UK at the 54th HRC.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the increase in the number of human rights violations and abuses in the Central African Republic. Reports have highlighted that Central African Armed Forces and Wagner Group forces are now responsible for the majority of these – and that when operating independently in CAR, Wagner mercenaries have engaged in a disproportionately higher level of violence targeting civilians.

The UK calls for a revitalisation of the peace process in the wake of the increased reports of human rights violations and abuses. The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict and crisis in the Central African Republic, and we call on the Central African authorities, to build on political progress and ensure meaningful engagement with all political actors in country.

We are also deeply concerned that the conflict in Sudan and the global economic crisis has further compounded the situation in CAR, increasing the price of basic commodities and driving levels of food insecurity so that half the country is experiencing severe food insecurity and 56% of the country is in need of humanitarian assistance. A rapid solution to CAR’s crisis is needed to build resilience and coping mechanisms for the population who are suffering from this sustained, long-term damage.

Mr Agbetse

Thank you for your report and presentation. We would welcome your views on what steps CAR and the international community should take to support the people of CAR and those fleeing violence in Sudan.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is visiting Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation on climate change, regional security and human rights.

• Minister for the Indo-Pacific to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka on climate change, regional security and human rights.
• Anne-Marie Trevelyan will reaffirm UK support for maritime security, attending the Indian Ocean Rim Association Ministerial meeting in Sri Lanka.
• UK and Sri Lanka celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

To deepen UK-Sri Lanka cooperation on environmental protection, regional security and human rights, UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan will arrive in Sri Lanka today (10 October). The three-day visit to Colombo and Jaffna marks the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka and is the Minister’s first visit to Sri Lanka in her role.

Minister Trevelyan will emphasise the UK’s long-term commitment to the region at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial meeting hosted by Sri Lanka. With around 60% of global shipping passing through the Indo-Pacific, ensuring maritime security is of critical importance to the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK’s economy. The UK is increasing its long-term presence in the Indo-Pacific by permanently deploying two Offshore Patrol Vessels to tackle maritime security challenges in the region alongside partners and allies.

Minister Trevelyan will also seek to strengthen IORA work on climate mitigation. Through collaborative programmes that underpin biodiversity objectives and the Glasgow Pact (agreed at COP26), the Minister will highlight UK support for Sri Lanka’s environmental work. This builds on the UK’s strong track record as the first major economy to legislate for Net Zero, cutting carbon emissions faster than any other G7 country. Sri Lanka are also prioritising green growth, with their own commitment to net zero by 2050.

Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

” As the UK celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, we’re working together on climate action, peacebuilding and human rights.

“Through key regional forums like IORA, we can accelerate progress towards enhanced security for the Indian Ocean region, collaborate on shared climate goals and on boosting maritime security.”

While in Colombo, Minister Trevelyan will meet members of the Sri Lankan government including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. Discussions will focus on climate finance and green growth, justice reform and opportunities to enhance UK-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties.

Travelling to Jaffna, in the Northern Province, Trevelyan will meet with Governor P. S. M Charles, and regional parliamentarians. She will then visit a land mine clearance site in Muhamalai to see UK-funded demining and sustainable resettlement work. Supported by the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), charity The HALO Trust has been working to clear unexploded ordnances in Muhamalai since 2012, with the Sri Lankan government anticipating that the country will be landmine-free by 2027. UK funding to the United Nations Development Programme has also supported the resettlement of displaced communities on land cleared of mines, helping provide community infrastructure and build sustainable livelihoods.

To engage UK businesses in Sri Lanka on bilateral trade discussions, Minister Trevelyan will meet civil society and business leaders from across Sri-Lanka at a breakfast meeting.

Following her engagements in Sri Lanka, the Minister will travel to India as part of a wider trip to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against non-essential travel to Lebanon and against all travel to south of the country.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia. Delivered by the UK at the 54th Human Rights Council at the UN.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

UK welcomes the release of 4 British men detained in Afghanistan.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

We welcome and appreciate the release by the current administration of Afghanistan of four British nationals who were detained on allegations of breaking the laws of Afghanistan.

On behalf of families of the British nationals, we express their apologies to the current administration of Afghanistan for any violations of the laws of the country.

We remind all British nationals of the requirement to comply with relevant UK counter-terrorism legislation when overseas and abide by all laws of the country of destination. Where appropriate, we will pass information to the relevant authorities in the UK for consideration.

The UK Government regrets this episode.