Tag: Foreign Office

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.

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

The UK has sent 60 UK search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment to Morocco following 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

The UK will immediately deploy emergency response teams to Morocco to assist with Moroccan led rescue efforts.

The government of Morocco accepted the UK offer for assistance following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The UK is deploying a team of search and rescue specialists, including 60 people, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment, as well as a medical assessment team.

The team is deploying today via 2 Royal air Force A400M aircraft provided by the Ministry of Defence.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK is sending immediate support to Morocco including a team of 60 search and rescue specialists and 4 rescue dogs to assist with the rescue effort.

I remain in contact with Foreign Minister Bourita and offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Morocco after this tragic event.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This is a devastating time for the people of Morocco, particularly those with loved ones they have lost or are missing.

The UK has taken a leading role in the international effort to enhance search and rescue operations – moving quickly to deploy our unique strategic airlift capabilities, expert personnel and aid. We stand firmly by Morocco as they get through this terrible event.

The UK International Search and Rescue team (UKISAR) respond to disasters on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They have specialist search equipment including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, propping and shoring tools. The specialist kit gives the team the capacity to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble to reach people under collapsed buildings.

The UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) is deploying a 4-person British medical assessment team to assess the situation on the ground and coordinate with Moroccan authorities. Following a large-scale natural disaster, it is crucial to assess existing healthcare capacity and the extent of damage to manage healthcare needs and provide support appropriately.

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

Sir Philip Barton, UK Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, will arrive in Bangladesh on Monday 11 September for a two-day visit.

Sir Philip’s main focus will be the fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue chaired by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen. Building on the UK and Bangladesh’s historic links, the Strategic Dialogue reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to develop a modern economic, trade and security partnership.

The Dialogue will cover political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade and development partnerships, and global, regional and security issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

It will also provide an opportunity to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, cooperation on COP28 and joint work on climate financing, adaptation and resilience to climate impacts, and showcase the UK’s substantial economic development investment offer.

During his time in Dhaka, the Permanent Under-Secretary will also meet politicians, civil society organisations, business leaders and youth representatives.

Background Information:

• Sir Philip Barton KCMG OBE is the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Permanent Under-Secretary is the most senior civil servant and diplomat in the FCDO.
• This is Sir Philip’s first visit to Bangladesh as Permanent Under-Secretary. He visited previously in 2008 in his capacity as Director South Asia, FCO.
• Sir Philip is active on Twitter/X: @PhilipRBarton

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

President,

Let me first condemn another appalling Russian missile attack earlier this week on a market in Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians is a war crime, and those responsible must be held to account.

Last year, in violation of the democratic will of the Ukrainian people, and of the UN Charter, Russia attempted to illegally annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. We saw Russian soldiers round people up to cast ballots at gunpoint for Russia’s so-called “referendums.”

As colleagues have said, the General Assembly emphatically rejected Russia’s actions. 143 Member States denounced Russia’s blatant violation of international law. The Secretary General condemned Russia’s attempted annexations.

Now Russia is committing another violation of the UN Charter by holding so-called “elections” within these four oblasts and in illegally annexed Crimea. Russia claims it is protecting the right to self-determination. But as my Foreign Secretary has said, you can’t hold elections in someone else’s country. Not only are Russia’s actions illegal and illegitimate, but we have information that the Kremlin has pre-determined the results of the sham elections across sovereign Ukrainian territory which Russia temporarily controls.

This gross deception will bring Russia no closer to justifying its war of aggression, just as Russia, in a year, has come no closer to expanding its control over the areas it has claimed in its failing invasion.

We also have information that “this year, Russia aims to host around 100,000 Ukrainian children from Russian-controlled territories to participate in a summer camp programme, with the aim being to politically indoctrinate children to align with Russia.”

Ukraine is fighting for its future as a State. The only way that Russia’s war can come to an end is through a just and sustained peace that fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We call on the international community to support Ukraine until that peace is won.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2023.

The United Kingdom (UK)’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister for the Americas & Caribbean visited Belize.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2023.

The UK will host a global food security summit to galvanize action to tackle hunger and malnutrition.

• The UK will host a global food security summit with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to galvanize action to tackle hunger and malnutrition.
• It will focus on the best of science and innovation to prevent food insecurity and malnutrition.
• Nearly one billion people worldwide do not have enough to eat and 345 million face acute hunger and starvation.

The UK will gather governments, international organisations, scientists, NGOs and the private sector on 20 November for a reset moment on the global food security crisis.

Speaking at the G20, the Prime Minister announced today (8 September) that leading experts will come together to tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, including through cutting edge UK funded science and technology, at an event in London.

Climate change, conflict, the long-term impacts of Covid-19 and the effects on global food supply of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are the main drivers of current food insecurity.

Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) last month, a UN plan to ensure food and fertilizers could leave Ukrainian ports, has reduced global grain supply at a critical time for vulnerable people around the world and contributed to further market volatility – when prices rise, the poorest pay.

The UK-hosted summit will explore how innovation, partnerships and the latest technological advances can ensure long term food security and improved nutrition for people in the hardest-hit countries.

It will focus on:

• New approaches to tackle preventable deaths of children.
• Building a climate-resilient and sustainable food system.
• Supporting early action to prevent and reduce the impact of humanitarian crises.
• Using science and technology to boost food security.

Through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s science and research partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK is helping to find solutions to address global food and climate challenges – including more nutritious, resilient crop varieties and innovation to tackle pests and diseases.

Through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), the UK is already leading an innovative way of tackling child wasting and famine in some of the most vulnerable countries in the world.

Severe wasting, the most severe form of malnutrition, is responsible for one in five deaths of children under five. The CNF is scaling up prevention and treatment services in countries with the greatest need such as Malawi.