Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 September 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN General Assembly.

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

During his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, the Foreign Secretary met the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu today during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised the strength of our bilateral relationship and welcomed the free trade negotiations underway.

The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of the UK and Israel’s shared democratic values that underpin our strategic partnership and encouraged Prime Minister Netanyahu to seek any judicial reform through the achievement of the broadest possible consensus.

He and Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the UK and Israel’s continued cooperation on major geopolitical challenges, in the region and around the world.

The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law. He expressed the UK’s solidarity with Israel following repeated terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.

He also outlined his concern with ongoing tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the importance of both Israelis and Palestinians taking meaningful action to de-escalate tensions, including by addressing settler violence.

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

During his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, the Foreign Secretary met the Foreign Minister of Israel, Eli Cohen.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary met with Foreign Minister Cohen this afternoon during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the UK and Israel’s thriving partnership, building on their meeting in London in March to sign the UK-Israel 2030 roadmap.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the work underway to negotiate an enhanced and modernised Free Trade Agreement and encouraged Israel to demonstrate increased ambition in order to secure the best possible deal.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised continued UK concern about any departure from the democratic values that underpin our strategic partnership.

The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the heightened tensions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He expressed his condolences following repeated terror attacks against Israeli citizens and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law.

The Foreign Secretary urged both Israelis and Palestinians to take meaningful action to de-escalate tensions and to preserve the two-state solution including, in the case of Israel, to stop settlement expansion and act to prevent settler violence and the culture of impunity.

He and Foreign Minister Cohen welcomed the UK and Israel’s continued cooperation on tackling the threat posed by Iran. The Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of Israel’s support, including towards Ukrainian reconstruction.

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

Statement for Item 2: Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in Afghanistan. Delivered by Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

Thank you, Mr President.

Let me start by thanking the Special Rapporteur for his longstanding and determined efforts to continue to shed light on the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

We have all watched in horror and sadness as the Taliban have continued their campaign of repression and violence against Afghan women and girls. The ongoing restrictions to the rights of women and girls across every sphere of their lives – in education, in health, in employment, and in freedom of movement – is deplorable. The impact on their wellbeing and livelihood is truly unimaginable. One recent outrage was the closure of beauty salons, severely impacting thousands of women, a number of whom were then punished for bravely protesting the decision.

This coincides with tens of millions of Afghans who are also now in need of humanitarian aid, including many women and children. The UK stands with the international community in helping the Afghan people.

Special Rapporteur,

The Taliban must respond to the needs of the Afghan people. Their call for “work, bread, justice” must be heard.

How can we best communicate our concerns to the Taliban in a way they will understand? How can we better support those who are standing up for human rights in Afghanistan?

Thank you.

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

New intelligence shows the intended target of a Russian missile attack in the Black Sea was a cargo ship.

• intended target of a Russian missile attack in the Black Sea was a civilian cargo ship
• attacks thwarted by Ukrainian forces who shot down multiple missiles heading towards Odesa port
• since Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russian attacks have destroyed enough grain to feed more than one million people for a year

Intelligence shows that the Russian military targeted a cargo ship in the Black Sea with multiple missiles on 24 August.

The missiles, which included 2 Kalibr missiles fired from a Black Sea Fleet missile carrier, were successfully shot down by Ukraine’s forces on 24 August.

Intelligence shows that an intended target was a Liberian-flagged cargo ship berthed in the port.

This attack followed US government warnings that the Russian military may launch attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea.

Thanks to Ukraine’s air defence, the attack on the civilian ship failed. Not one of the Kalibr missiles reached its intended target.

Despite its failure, this is a clear demonstration of Russia’s continuing attempts to choke Ukraine’s economy, and President Putin’s disregard for the lives of civilians and the interests of countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Putin is trying to win a war he will not win, and these attacks show just how desperate he is.

In targeting cargo ships and Ukrainian infrastructure, Russia is hurting the rest of the world.

This is part of a pattern of Russian aggression in the Black Sea.  In July, the Foreign Secretary said the UK believed Russia may target civilian ships in the Black Sea.  The US has observed Russia laying more sea mines around Ukrainian ports, and footage showing the detonation of a sea mine in July.

Since July, Russia has systematically targeted Ukrainian port and civilian infrastructure.  The attacks have so far destroyed 280,000 tonnes of grain – enough to feed over 1 million people for a year, and more than the total Russia promised to donate to African countries.

Russia has stopped even attempting to justify that these attacks are against legitimate military targets and is cynically targeting civilian infrastructure. President Putin’s intentions are clear for all to see.  This is a brutal attempt to choke the Ukrainian economy.

While the UK and our partners continue to do all we can to ensure Ukraine’s exports reach those who need it most, this pattern of deliberately targeted attacks in the Black Sea by Russia demonstrates President Putin’s willingness to weaponise food and innocent trade at the expense of the rest of the world as they block food from reaching world markets.

Since its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia has:

• damaged 26 port infrastructure facilities in Odesa, Chornomorsk and Reni
• destroyed 280,000 tonnes of grain – more than the total amount Russia promised to donate to African states, and enough to feed over 1 million people for a year
• because of Russia’s decision to withdraw, up to 24 million tonnes of foodstuffs from Ukraine may now not reach global markets over the coming year
• before Russia’s invasion, Ukraine was feeding 400 million people worldwide and accounted for 8 to 10% of global wheat exports and 10 to 12% of corn and barley exports.
• Ukraine provided over 50% of the wheat for the World Food Programme in 2022 – without the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) the World Food Programme (WFP) will have to replace this with more expensive or lower quality wheat

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

Statement on report of OHCHR on promoting reconciliation, accountability & human rights in Sri Lanka. Delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO & UN Simon Manley.

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

Statement by Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, N Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro, United Kingdom and United States. Delivered by UK Ambassador, Rita French.

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

Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar. As delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

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

The Foreign Secretary will travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) this week and commit to tackling threats to regional security.

• Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) this week (11 to 13 September) and commit to tackling threats to regional security, including from Iran
• in a speech at an international security conference, he will condemn Iran for enabling terrorism in Israel through its support for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and reiterate the UK’s support for a two-state solution
• in the OPTs, the Foreign Secretary will visit Jalazone Refugee Camp and see first-hand impact of international support for the UN body providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East

The Foreign Secretary will condemn Iran for enabling terrorism in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and commit to strengthening security ties during a visit to the region this week (11 to 13 September).

In his first visit as Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly will give a speech at an international security conference on 12 September focusing on the security challenges facing Israel, the OPTs and the region, and the importance of advancing the two-state solution. He will stress the UK’s support for a viable two-state solution as the only way to bring about security, stability and prosperity for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region.

He will commit to working with Israel to counter Iran’s destabilising activity and visit Israel’s state of the art ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system, where the Foreign Secretary will receive a briefing on the range of threats that Israel faces.

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, he will visit Jalazone Refugee Camp in the West Bank to see first-hand the impact of international support to Palestinian refugees.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK and Israel work closely together to keep our people safe. I’ll be using my first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories as Foreign Secretary to renew our close security partnership, in the face of unacceptable threats from the Iranian regime.

A two-state solution between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is the only way to bring about security, stability and prosperity for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. I’ll be making clear that all parties must take steps advance this cause.

During the 2-day visit, the Foreign Secretary will meet with senior figures in both Israel and OPTs, including Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, to encourage dialogue and cooperation to end the cycle of violence.

In Israel he will also pay his respects to the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust by visiting Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, and laying a wreath at the eternal flame.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 11 September 2023.

Ministers to meet media and legal industry leaders today to agree action to stop ‘SLAPP’ lawsuits muzzling reporters.

• SLAPPs are used by wealthy individuals, including Russian oligarchs, and companies to obstruct freedom of the press and prevent publication of critical stories
• New taskforce will build on work in Economic Crime Bill to ban SLAPPs in British courts

Journalists will be better protected exposing the crimes of powerful figures under plans for a new government-led taskforce to clamp down on obstructive and costly legal action designed to silence critics.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will today (Monday 11 Sept) attend the inaugural meeting of the taskforce, dedicated to tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), to help drive forward the government’s agenda to make sure appropriate protections exist for journalists tirelessly working to investigate and publish stories in the public interest, holding power to account and supporting our strong democratic tradition.

SLAPPs are used by the wealthy to intimidate and financially exhaust those seeking to expose wrongdoing, threatening them with extreme costs for defending a claim. They have been used prominently by Russian oligarchs to silence journalists, often using bogus defamation and privacy grounds that prevent the publication of information in the public interest.

A recent report by the Thomson Reuters Foundation found that SLAPPs have risen substantially since 2015, with half of journalists saying they or their newsroom has experienced legal action due to their reporting.

The taskforce will bring together major players from the media and legal sectors – including the Society of Editors, The National Union of Journalists and the Law Society of England and Wales – and drive forward measures to protect public interest journalism from SLAPPs, including those linked to non-economic crime.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer KC said:

When I became Culture Secretary I vowed to stand up for independent voices and nurture a thriving media landscape which upholds and champions fearless truth telling.

SLAPPs have led to journalists having to crowdfund their legal fees and some have even been forced to sell their homes – simply for doing their job.

Working together with industry leaders, we will develop strong measures which enhance the freedom of the press to expose wrongdoing without fear of our justice system being abused to silence journalists.

UK Bureau Director for Reporters Without Borders Fiona O’Brien said:

SLAPPs can have a devastating impact on the journalists involved and their ability to report freely on matters of public interest, so we’re very pleased to see the establishment of a taskforce that recognises them as a serious and pressing threat. This is a welcome step towards ensuring UK journalists are better protected from such abusive and damaging lawsuits.

While it is difficult to tell how often SLAPPs are used, because they usually operate before papers are lodged or there is a direct interaction with the justice system, data from the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) shows they are on the rise in the UK, with 14 estimated in England and Wales in 2021, up from two in both 2020 and 2019. There was one case in 2018.

SLAPPs also present an increasingly worrying threat to democracy across Europe, too, with CASE’s database increasing from 570 cases in 2022 to over 820 cases in 2023.

The taskforce is expected to commission research to investigate the prevalence of SLAPPs used against journalists. It will also explore how legal services regulation could be used to prevent or mitigate SLAPPs, draw up plans for new specialist training for judges and law professionals to help them identify and throw out SLAPPs more easily, and develop guidance to support journalists, publications or law professionals.

The government has already amended its Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill to clamp down on SLAPPs linked to economic crime, which cover the vast majority (estimated at up to 70 per cent) of such cases brought to UK courts. The changes will allow SLAPPs to be thrown out by judges more quickly and place a cap on the costs for those targeted, making them less effective at strong-arming reporters into abandoning their stories. The government has also committed to legislating to tackle SLAPPs outside of economic crime as soon as parliamentary time allows.

The government recognises the need to protect defendants from abusive litigation whilst ensuring access to justice for legitimate claims. The Bill will set out a clear legal definition for a SLAPP, which ensures the application of this legislation is appropriate and fair.

The new taskforce will report regularly on progress to clamp down on SLAPPs to the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists at its bi-monthly meetings. The Committee, set up by the government, brings together representatives from government, journalism, policing, prosecution services and civil society to work in collaboration.

The group led the development of the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists in 2021 to ensure journalists in the UK can carry out their jobs free from threats or violence.