Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

UK statement on the human rights situation in Belarus. As delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Statement on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. As delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr President,

I have the honour to present draft resolution L.16 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, on behalf of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Qatar, Türkiye, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Mr President,

As we conclude this four-week session of this Council, let me begin by drawing attention to the fact that, during this time, a number of targeted strikes on civilians in Syria have taken place.

The targets were villages, towns, markets. The victims were innocent men, women and children. The perpetrators were the Syrian regime and its allies.

This violence inflicted on the Syrian people is all too familiar. As is the continued use of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and sexual and gender-based violence. With 80% of the population dependent on humanitarian assistance, any uncertainty around humanitarian access is a further form of torment.

In our resolution we highlight the plight of women and girls in Syria and their inability to exercise many of their economic, social and political rights.

The conflict has left many women as the breadwinners for their families, within a legal framework and a culture that discriminates against them.

Rights to property, inheritance and even custody of children are often not accessible to women, in the absence of male family members who have been killed or are missing.

Lack of equality before the law and protection against violence, in a conflict that has left over seven million Syrians, overwhelmingly women and girls, in need of services related to sexual and gender-based violence, is cruelty in the extreme.

Mr President,

The resolution put forward today condemns the targeting of women and girls in Syria, whether through discriminatory laws and practices, sexual and gender-based violence, or restrictions imposed on women who speak out in the face of multiple injustices.

The resolution welcomes the decision to establish the Independent Institution on Missing Persons, to resolve the fate of the missing in Syria. A protracted issue that has had a unique impact on women.

It also highlights the vital role Syrian women continue to play in the pursuit of justice, accountability, and peace, often in the face of harassment, intimidation and fears for their own safety.

Let me thank all those who have engaged constructively in the informal consultations on this resolution.

Mr President, at a time when the Syrian regime is looking for allies, it is important that this Council adopts this resolution to continue our efforts to hold that regime to account for its crimes. If a vote is called on this resolution, I urge our fellow members of the Council to vote in favour of it.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

The Foreign Secretary will this week visit Jakarta (13 to 14 July), meeting ASEAN partners to advance shared priorities of security, stability and prosperity.

• Foreign Secretary to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministerial meeting in Indonesia
• he will set out the UK’s support for a strong and united ASEAN as central to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific
• visit comes as part of a series of multilateral events this month, including the NATO conference and UN Security Council

The Foreign Secretary will this week visit Jakarta (13 to 14 July), meeting ASEAN partners to advance cooperation on the shared priorities of security, stability and prosperity.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will announce up to £25 million in funding to support ASEAN nations’ economic growth and reduce poverty, bringing UK expertise in trade, regulation and financial services to the region over the next 5 years. This will boost long-term UK trade and investment links in a region which includes some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Southeast Asia is on course to be equivalent to the fourth largest economy by 2030, with total trade in goods and services between the UK and ASEAN worth £46.5 billion to the end of 2022, helping deliver on the government’s priority of growing the economy.

Later this month the UK will begin its formal accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc (CPTPP), further strengthening British trade and investment links in the region.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Foreign Secretary said:

The security and economies of the UK and southeast Asia are more closely linked than ever before.

That is why we are growing our long-term ties with dynamic, fast-growing markets across this region and showing our support for a strong, unified ASEAN – which is vital for the prosperity and stability of the Indo-Pacific.

The UK and ASEAN are working together to deliver the Plan of Action 2022 to 2026 to improve lives across the region, such as ensuring girls across southeast Asia can access quality education. This is in addition to UK work in the wider Indo-Pacific, such as the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia programme, which is upgrading homes and infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change.

The Foreign Secretary will set out how the UK is working with ASEAN to make the region safer, from leading the UNSC’s response to the crisis in Myanmar, to engaging with navies across the region and funding high-quality training on maritime security to secure safe and open shipping lanes.

The UK has strong existing defence links across the region, including British Forces Brunei and the Five Power Defence Arrangements alongside Malaysia and Singapore. And the UK is taking its support for regional leadership on defence, security and stability to the next level by seeking membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus.

The visit demonstrates how the UK is working through effective multilateral organisations to safeguard a stable and open international order, as set out by the Foreign Secretary in a speech in London last month.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Jakarta follows his attendance at the NATO leaders’ summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The UK set out clear support for a united NATO providing increased political and practical support for Ukraine, as part of a robust global multilateral system. After Jakarta, the Foreign Secretary will travel to the United Nations in New York to lead sessions at the UN Security Council, during the UK’s presidency this month.

The Integrated Review Refresh, published in March 2023, set out how the UK will prioritise the Indo-Pacific, making the region a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy. Its steadfast partnerships cement the UK’s enduring commitment to safeguarding security, stability and prosperity across the world.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, visited Indonesia in November 2022 for the G20 leaders’ summit, where he set out his five point plan to help the UK and international partners weather the global economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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

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

Thank you to SRSG Ruiz Massieu and Ms Salcedo López for their briefings. I welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Leyva at this meeting.

The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts made by the Colombian Government to implement the Peace Agreement. We welcome the approval of the National Development Plan, which includes an Investment Plan for Peace. Ensuring funding to deliver reforms and strengthen state presence across Colombia will be essential to deliver progress in the coming years.

As Ms Salcedo sets out, the Gender Chapter is an essential element of the Peace Agreement. We are concerned that women leaders and female ex-combatants continue to face conflict-related sexual violence, and we encourage the Government of Colombia to continue to prioritise full implementation of the gender provisions of the Peace Agreement.

Political participation is also critical to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. As we approach regional elections in October, we encourage the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of peace signatories seeking to participate in the democratic process.

We strongly condemn violence against ex-FARC combatants, human rights defenders and social leaders. Since the signing of the agreement, over 375 ex-FARC combatants have been killed. We urge the Government to strengthen prevention and protection measures, and reiterate the importance of the National Commission on Security Guarantees.

The United Kingdom welcomes the announcement in June of a ceasefire between the Government and the ELN and hopes that communities see genuine improvements in their security. We expect the ELN to approach its undertakings in good faith. We are following closely the efforts of the government to reach a ceasefire agreement with the EMC.

Finally, we thank the Secretary-General for providing the Council with options for an expanded UN role in verifying ceasefire agreements. We will share a draft resolution in the coming days for discussion with Council Members.

Foreign Minister Levya, SRSG Ruiz Massieu, members of the Council, Colombia can count on the UK to continue supporting it along your path to peace and security for all its people.

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

UK statement on oral update of High Commissioner on human rights situation in Ukraine & Secretary-General interim report on human rights situation in Crimea.

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

Deputy Ambassador Brown says Russia must bear ultimate responsibility for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

Chairs, as we said this morning, and as we have seen in detail this afternoon, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam is a major catastrophe with wide-reaching ecological and humanitarian consequences. Tens of thousands have been directly impacted by the resultant flooding.

Let us be clear. Russia has controlled the area since just after the invasion and must bear ultimate responsibility: none of the suffering that we have seen or the damage caused would have happened if Russia had not launched an unprovoked and illegal war of aggression.

We are still analysing the impact on Ukraine’s grain production, but what is very clear is that this disaster has had, and will have, an unquantifiable impact on Ukraine’s ability to maintain production. An attack on the dam is not just on Ukraine, but on all those who depend on Ukraine’s grain exports to provide food around the world.

The destruction of the Kakhovka is abhorrent. Intentionally targeting exclusively civilian infrastructure is a war crime. And any targeting of innocent civilians or humanitarian workers trying to escape an ongoing humanitarian disaster is not only barbaric, but also a gross breach of the Geneva Conventions.

The links between environmental destruction and security are alarmingly clear. And it is right that we should discuss them in this forum at the OSCE.

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

A UK government spokesperson statement issued on 12 July on the South China Sea.

On the 12 July 2023, HMA Manila delivered a speech organised by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Manila, noting the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal which, established in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), delivered a unanimous decision on the South China Sea Arbitration which is binding on the two parties – the Philippines and China.

This decision contains clear rules that apply for maritime claims, the lawful uses of maritime spaces – including freedom of navigation and overflight – and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

A UK government spokesperson said:

“As provided for in UNCLOS, the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both parties. We call on the Philippines and China to abide by its terms.”

“The UK does not take a position on competing sovereignty claims, but strongly opposes any claims that are not consistent with UNCLOS. Adherence to international law, including UNCLOS, is fundamental to ensuring there continues to be a safe, prosperous and stable South China Sea. The UK will continue to encourage the resolution of disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law.”

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

Interactive Dialogue on the oral update of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic. As delivered by the UK.

Thank you, Mr Vice President.

The United Kingdom remains concerned by the increasing disregard for human rights in CAR by all actors, including state actors, which MINUSCA’s most recent reporting suggests are responsible for violations including arbitrary arrests and detentions. We are particularly concerned by the ongoing presence of the Wagner Group and call for their immediate withdrawal from CAR. We reiterate our call for the Government to ensure that all State-aligned security actors comply with international humanitarian and human rights law and that all perpetrators of violations or abuses are held to account.

We are also concerned by President Touadera’s plans to overhaul CAR’s constitution, which risks undoing recent democratic gains. The referendum serves as a distraction from the main issues facing CAR, including the dire humanitarian, security and economic situation.

Mr Vice President, ensuring transparent democratic processes is crucial to CAR’s future stability. Local elections, which have been postponed in favour of the constitutional referendum, would have been an opportunity to bring democracy closer to communities and citizens, and would have formed part of the democratic restructuring that is integral to securing lasting peace in CAR. We hope that free, fair and peaceful local elections will be held as soon as possible.

Mr Agbetse,

Thank you for your update. Given the situation in CAR continues to deteriorate, how can the international community help ensure the long-term viability of the Peace Agreement and the effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms in CAR?

Thank you.

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

New sanctions have been announced which will target the businesses associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

• UK government sanctions imposed on businesses associated with leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the ongoing conflict in Sudan
• strict measures will cut funding sources and pressure the warring parties to engage in the peace process, allow access for humanitarian aid and end atrocities against the Sudanese people
• the sanctions are part of the UK’s response to ongoing hostilities since fighting broke out in April and a growing humanitarian crisis

The UK has today (12 July) imposed new sanctions on businesses which are fuelling the devastating conflict in Sudan by providing funding and arms to the warring militias. These sanctions will ensure that any assets held in the UK by these conglomerates and companies will be frozen.

These strict measures on companies controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will limit their financial freedom by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them and put pressure on the parties to engage in the peace process.

Almost 3 months of violence in Sudan has resulted in 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, over 2.2 million internally displaced and 682,000 people estimated to have fled to neighbouring countries. In Darfur, there are also reports of increasing ethnic violence.

The war has been exacerbated and prolonged by the vast financial empires supporting the SAF and RSF. The multi-billion-dollar conglomerates and companies associated with both parties have provided them with a steady source of funds and weapons, enabling the continuation of fighting which has seen atrocities committed against civilians.

The UK has designated 6 commercial entities in total, with each of the 2 warring parties having 3 associated businesses targeted. These sanctions will send a strong message to those providing funding and supplies to the SAF and RSF that the ongoing conflict is unacceptable and the violence must stop.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says:

These sanctions are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions. Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war, which is completely unjustified.

Innocent civilians continue to face the devastating effects of the hostilities, and we simply cannot afford to sit-by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF or SAF, is spent on a senseless conflict. Working with international partners, we will continue to do all we can to support a meaningful peace process, stop the violence and secure free humanitarian access.

These new measures are aimed at pressing the parties driving the conflict to engage in a sustained and meaningful peace process, stop blocking life-saving humanitarian aid into Sudan, and end the violence and atrocities.

Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

The SAF and RSF have dragged Sudan into a wholly unjustified war, with utter disregard for the Sudanese people, and must be held accountable. These sanctions are designed to pressure the parties to engage in a meaningful and lasting peace process.

These sanctions will not impact vital aid to the region and include a humanitarian exemption, ensuring that aid can continue to be delivered by the UN and other eligible organisations.

The UK continues to pursue all diplomatic avenues to end the violence, de-escalate tensions and secure safe humanitarian access, including engaging with the UN Security Council, African Union and other partners to achieve this.

The businesses sanctions announced today are:

Companies associated with the RSF:

• Al-Junaid, a large Rapid Support Forces owned conglomerate set up by Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’. This company has provided at least tens of millions in financial backing for the militia, enabling it to continue the conflict
• GSK Advance Company Ltd, a key front company owned by the Rapid Support Forces, providing some funding to the militia to support the purchase of materiel
• Tradive General Trading co, a company associated with the Rapid Support Forces, supplying it with funds and materiel such as vehicles retrofitted with machine guns for the RSF to patrol the streets

Companies associated with the SAF:

• Defense Industries Systems (DIS), a large Sudan Armed Forces-owned conglomerate, which provides some of the finances for General Abdel Fattah al Burhan to continue fighting, Defensive Industries System has over 200 companies and makes a profit of $2 billion per annum
• Sudan Master Technology, a Sudanese company involved in the sale of arms with close commercial ties to Defense Industries System, the economic and manufacturing arm of the Sudan Armed Forces which supplies it with funds and equipment
• Zadna International Company for Investment Limited, a subsidiary of DIS, owned by the Sudan Armed Forces, and reported to be one of its top 3 ‘major earners’

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.