Tag: Foreign Office

Thank you, Vice President.

The UK thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update on the human rights situation in Cambodia and welcomes the conclusions and recommendations in his latest report.

We recognise that Cambodia has made progress on economic, social and cultural rights. In particular, we commend Cambodia on its response to COVID-19, including on social protection, as well as its commitment to climate, education, and healthcare.

The UK remains committed to working constructively with Cambodia in its efforts to advance all human rights, including by supporting the implementation of the benchmarks and recommendations set out in the Special Rapporteur’s report.

Following Cambodia’s national elections earlier this year, the UK supports the Special Rapporteur’s call for the new generation of leaders to open up civic and political space; engage in constructive dialogue with civil and political actors; and guarantee an open political environment.

Advancing freedom of speech, association, and thought would also serve to support Cambodia’s economic sector by encouraging greater innovation through the open sharing of ideas and information.

Special Rapporteur,

What are the most important measures that you believe the government of Cambodia needs to take to ensure an open civic space?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

We commend the Office’s continued engagement in South Sudan, including through the provision of technical assistance and capacity building.

While we recognise that technical assistance and capacity building is a vital part of the wider international support needed, it is not the sole answer to addressing South Sudan’s human rights, humanitarian and security situation. It needs to be accompanied by strong human rights scrutiny and accountability.

The situation in South Sudan is dire.  Attacks on civilians, sexual violence against women and girls, and restrictions to media freedom and civic space have become the norm. With approximately 2 million Internally Displaced Persons in South Sudan, we regret the government of South Sudan’s postponement of the visit by the Special Rapporteur on IDPs, which would have strengthened support from the UN and wider international community on this important issue.

Mr Vice-President,
Five years since the Peace Agreement was signed, we call on the government of South Sudan to implement its roadmap, including by establishing justice and accountability mechanisms, and ensuring free, fair and safe elections for its people.

Mr Salazar,

Thank you for your update.  How can the government of South Sudan ensure the establishment of Chapter V accountability mechanisms while delivering free and fair elections in 2024?

Thank you.

Thank you Mr Vice-President,

We thank the Minister from DRC and other speakers for their presentations at this important dialogue and the Team of Experts for their report.

The UK remains deeply concerned by ongoing human rights violations and abuses in the conflict affected areas of DRC. We are monitoring preparations for elections, which we hope will be peaceful, transparent and credible. However, continued restrictions on democratic space are worrying, including reports of intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrests. We continue to urge the government of DRC to respect civic space, freedom of expression and media freedom, in accordance with Congolese law and the constitution.

We remain concerned by periodic violent protests against MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo], and while we acknowledge DRC’s request to accelerate MONUSCO’s withdrawal, this must be done in a way that ensures the protection of civilians. We are also deeply troubled by the appalling incident in Goma on 30 August, where according to official reports at least 57 civilians were killed.

We also call on the government of DRC for a swift, well-coordinated and comprehensive response to the increased levels of sexual violence and exploitation in eastern DRC, particularly the institutionalised brothels in IDP [internally displaced persons] camps. We also call for the full, safe, equal and meaningful participation of women in the decision-making processes to this response.

Mr Vice-President,

We would like to ask the speakers what more can the government of DRC do to address conflict-related sexual violence and exploitation, and how can the international community support this.

Thank you, Mr Chair. When we met yesterday many of us spoke of Russia’s appalling attacks on civilians in Ukraine. We spoke of our concerns for the approaching winter and our determination to support Ukraine to succeed and prevail in the face of Russia’s aggression. It turned out that, even as we gathered in this room, Russia was instigating further unspeakable attacks in which civilians would bear the brunt of this horror.

The village of Hroza has been added to the growing list of places which many of us have come to know for all the wrong reasons. Yesterday afternoon, in this small community, a café and grocery store were destroyed, killing at least 51 people including a child.

We understand that there is no family from Hroza left untouched by this horrific attack. As my Prime Minister said this attack has “demonstrated the depths of depravity Russian forces are willing to sink to.” Those responsible for such an abhorrent attack will face justice. To this end, we welcome the deployment of a field team by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the attack.

In the early hours of this morning, the city of Kharkiv was dealt another brutal attack, this time on the city itself. It is reported that a 10-year-old boy was killed when a residential building was hit and more than 20 people were injured.

The UK is appalled by the barbaric killing of civilians including children. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and loved ones at this harrowing time.

The UK and our international partners have met too many times in this room, to condemn Russia’s latest atrocities. We cannot allow such actions to become acceptable or normal. Each time we meet reinforces our strong commitment that those responsible will be held accountable. The UK remains unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine, as they resist Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion. We are fully committed to working with our partners to support Ukraine to achieve a long lasting and sustainable peace in line with the UN Charter.

Madame Moderator,

The right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a longstanding human rights priority for the UK. Conflict and insecurity are often rooted in intolerance and persecution on the grounds of religion or belief.

In 2023 the UK hosted an international Ministerial conference on FoRB. During the conference, the UK announced new funding to support FoRB defenders as well as funding and expertise for countries prepared to make legislative changes to protect FoRB.

Since the conference, we have continued to make this a priority in our work. We have worked with at the UN, G7 and in the OSCE, to promote FoRB. In June this year, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a UK-UAE co-penned resolution on Tolerance and International Peace and Security, including wording on FoRB.

The UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP has chaired the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) for the past two years, The Alliance has broadened its membership, growing to 45 members, friends and observers.

The Alliance conducts regular joint advocacy on the cases of individual prisoners of conscience and has issued statements highlighting the issues facing religious minorities such as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Baha’i community and Jehovahs Witnesses, as well as those facing Jews and Christians.

Our commitment to FoRB is unwavering, and we look forward to continuing our work with the OSCE.