Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 January 2023.

Ms Alyson King OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in succession to Ms Emily Maltman who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms King will take up her appointment during April 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Alyson Ruth Grace King

Married to: Ayman Jarjour

Children: 2

Year	Role
2020 to 2023	Beirut, Deputy Head of Mission
2019 to 2020	UK Government Arabic Spokesperson and Senior Regional Communicator, based in Dubai
2018	Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
2016 to 2017	Scotland Office, Deputy Director and Head of Policy Division
2013 to 2016	FCO, Deputy Head, European Union Department (Internal), Europe Directorate
2010 to 2013	Khartoum, Head of Political Section
2009 to 2010	Full Time Language Training in Damascus (Arabic)
2008 to 2009	Brussels, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, Legal Adviser
2005 to 2008	European Commission, Secondment as National Expert on Sanctions and the Kimberley Process, Brussels
2004 to 2005	FCO, Assistant Legal Adviser, Legal Directorate
2003 to 2004	FCO, Desk Officer, Trade Policy/Slovenia, Europe Directorate
1999 to 2003	Davis Polk & Wardwell, Associate Lawyer, based in New York and London
1997 to 1999	Columbia University, Teaching Assistant, Human Rights Department (worked alongside studying for 2 Masters degrees)

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 January 2023.

The Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell has announced UK humanitarian aid for regions of rising insecurity within Ethiopia.

• life-saving food and nutrition to help hundreds of thousands of people, has been announced by the UK Minister for Development Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP
• funding will support people facing the drastic impacts of drought and conflict across Ethiopia including Tigray and areas of increasing insecurity in western Ethiopia such as Oromia
• with violence and insecurity on the rise, the UK is calling for the international community not to lose focus on Ethiopia after the breakthrough peace deal in Tigray in November

Vital UK aid announced today (20 January 2023) will reach the most vulnerable people across regions of rising insecurity in Ethiopia. More than 600,000 people in Ethiopia will benefit from improved access to critical food supplies or nutrition products.

The Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell announced the new funding package, including food supplies and other nutrition, in response to the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis, with violence and insecurity still on the rise.

Nearly 30 million people are now in need of emergency aid in Ethiopia, more than any other country in the world. In northern and western regions an estimated 22 million people are experiencing devastating food insecurity due to drought, conflict and economic pressures.

In Tigray, humanitarian access has improved since the signing of a peace agreement in November. However, huge numbers of people still have limited access to essential supplies and basic services including food, fuel and healthcare.

Violence and insecurity continue to rise elsewhere in Ethiopia, including in the Oromia region. With the security situation deteriorating, significant numbers of civilians have been displaced from their homes, with many beyond the reach of aid agencies, lacking access to essential services such as electricity, a mobile network, health facilities and banks.

UK funding to the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) will address this humanitarian crisis by delivering aid to those most in need across Ethiopia including Oromia, Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.

Minister for Development Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP said:

With nearly 30 million people across Ethiopia facing severe hardships, this support from the UK comes at a critical moment.

Our life-saving aid will reach hundreds of thousands of people – over half of which are women and children who are bearing the brunt of the country’s worsening crisis.

To alleviate suffering and save lives, I urge the international community not to lose focus on the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

The total UK funding announced today is £16.6 million supporting more than 600,000 people. A £11.6 million contribution to the PSNP will reach around 250,000 people living in extreme poverty with food and livelihood security.

Money will be pooled with multi-donor funding alongside international partners, and will go to regions across Ethiopia including Oromia, Amhara, Afar and Harar city zones. During the last 17 years, the UK has provided £650 million to the programme.

Through the World Food programme, a further £5 million of UK funding announced today, will also help treat almost 23,000 pregnant and lactating women suffering from moderate acute malnutrition, and provide better infrastructure for feeding programmes for 42,000 school pupils in 75 schools.

This critical support to malnourished mothers and children will reach the most vulnerable in desperate need, including those in conflict-affected areas of Northern and Western Ethiopia. World Food Programme funding will also be invested in boosting local production of nutrition products, benefitting a further 330,000 children per month.

British Ambassador Darren Welch said:

This latest contribution from the UK is part of a longstanding relationship with the Government of Ethiopia to help address the country’s humanitarian challenges.

UK support to the Productive Safety Net Programme and the World Food Programme will quickly reach those most in need of aid with assistance targeting the most vulnerable, including women and children who are too often the worst affected by climate shocks and conflict.

Darren Welch is newly appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union.

This funding comes just a month after the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Ethiopia following the recent peace agreement and the opening of humanitarian routes. The funding means the UK will meet its commitment to spend £156 million in humanitarian aid to East Africa in the financial year 2022 to 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 January 2023.

Ambassador Neil Bush says that the sheer destruction and dire humanitarian impact caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is both shocking and appalling.

Thank you Mr. Chair. I would also like to share with Ukraine the UK’s sincere condolences following the tragic helicopter crash yesterday morning.

I also want to share our condolences regarding the horrific loss of life caused by the Russian missile attack in Dnipro on Saturday. Russia has no qualms and no conscience about using such devastating and inaccurate weapons in residential areas. That is unforgiveable.

As Russia continues to strike Ukraine’s cities, civilians and critical infrastructure, we cannot forget those suffering along the front line and in the temporarily Russian-controlled territories. Reminiscent of images from mainland Europe a century before, the sheer destruction and dire humanitarian impact caused by Russia’s illegal invasion is both shocking and appalling and we hoped had been consigned to history.

In Bakhmut, around 60% of the city has been completely destroyed, with more than 90% of the population believed to have fled. Of those remaining, many are extremely vulnerable and without access to basic services or humanitarian support. The damage in neighbouring Soledar is reportedly even more severe. It will take decades for these areas to recover from the devastation Russia has wrought upon them.

The situation for those temporarily living under Russian control remains extremely difficult. Limited access for international organisations prevents the full picture of Russia’s atrocities and human rights violations from emerging. Insidious policies to ‘Russify’ the population of these regions persists, with land and property confiscated from Ukrainian citizens, whilst Russian nationals such as teachers, administrators and military families, are brought in. Opportunities for Ukrainians to leave these regions and travel west are rapidly diminishing. Many risk having to go through Russia, facing filtration and for those who pass through being unable to leave Russia once across the border.

Basic human rights for those in the Russian-controlled territories continues on a depressingly downward trend, with a lack of access to basic services – including clean water and reliable energy supplies. Access to basic healthcare is woefully inadequate. Humanitarian aid is a vital life line for survival amongst the population – but it cannot reach everyone. The deteriorating conditions in these regions only highlights the ineptitude, corruption and disarray of the self-proclaimed Russian administrations.

Across recently liberated areas of Ukraine, there is mounting evidence of war crimes committed by Russian forces whilst under their control. We have seen hundreds of pages of evidence from organisations such as ODHIR, UNOCHA and UNICEF detailing Russia’s severe human rights violations and abuses: the use of sexual violence; forced movement of children; arbitrary detention; torture; etc; etc; etc.

In addition – we categorically condemn the apparent theft and misuse of OSCE vehicles, which are being reportedly used by Russia in the Donbas. As stated by the OSCE, the organisation has no personnel or vehicles deployed in eastern Ukraine – a fact Russia is well aware of. Russia should provide a full explanation. We also remember our Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) colleagues currently in Russian detention. And we call again on Russia for their immediate release, and to cease intimidation and threats directed at former SMM personnel.

Finally, the UK announced this week an accelerated package of support for Ukraine, to aid them in their fight for freedom, democracy and victory. We will ensure our Ukrainian friends have the resources needed to stop Russia’s aggression, to end the pain and misery being inflicted upon Ukrainians and to halt the impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion being felt around the globe – once and for all.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 January 2023.

Ambassador Neil Bush thanks Minister Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir for outlining Iceland’s priorities at the Council of Europe and collaboration with the OSCE.

Thank you, Mr Chair. On behalf of the UK, I warmly welcome you, Minister Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir to the Permanent Council. Thank you for outlining Iceland’s priorities at the Council of Europe and collaboration with the OSCE. The Council of Europe has been, and will continue to be, important to the UK’s human rights and foreign policy agenda and we were pleased to host the Council of Europe’s Secretary General last week.

The longstanding relationship between the OSCE and the Council of Europe is rooted firmly in the promotion of human rights, rule of law, and democracy across the continent and beyond. Respect for these common principles defines our shared endeavours in Vienna and in Strasbourg. We meet today at a particularly challenging time for European Security and while President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine continues. We are reminded that those common principles and commitments are being transgressed on a daily basis and re-commitment to these principles is needed more than ever. The launch of the Ukraine Action Plan 2023-26 underscores the united support for Ukraine.

The Council of Europe and the OSCE share much common ground – joint work on serious organised crime, counter-terrorism, human trafficking and gender, alongside work on specific country contexts stands out. As both the OSCE and the Council of Europe face up to a series of common challenges this year, it is important that we continue to recognise each organisation’s individual merits and distinctiveness. We need to work in a coordinated way to employ the unique set of instruments and tools which each organisation offers to its participating and member States.

We look forward to Iceland hosting the Council of Europe’s fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government in May this year and to concrete outcomes resulting from the Summit. It provides a welcome opportunity to re-affirm and promote commitments to democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law and to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine.

Minister Gylfadóttir – the UK is, and will remain, a steadfast supporter of the work of both the Council of Europe and the OSCE. We offer you, and your team, our best wishes for your work in the year ahead.

Thank you Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 January 2023.

Statement delivered by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council briefing on MEPP.

Thank you, Mr President, and we thank the Special Coordinator for his briefing.

Last year saw large numbers of Palestinians and Israelis killed, worsening rates of settler violence, and the emergence of new Palestinian militant groups. Unfortunately, 2023 has also started with violence and instability. In this context, the UK Minister of State, Lord Ahmad, visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this month. There, he underlined the UK’s support for a two-state solution and urged the parties, supported by the international community, to do all they can to de-escalate, restore calm, and rebuild trust.

To this end, Mr President, first, the parties must demonstrate through their statements and their policies a genuine commitment to peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians and to a two-state solution. This is the only way to end the conflict, preserve Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity and realise Palestinian national aspirations. The UK opposes all unilateral actions that will make peace harder to achieve, whether taken by the Palestinian or Israeli side, including the Government of Israel’s measures against the Palestinian Authority, announced on 6 January.

Second, the UK calls upon all parties to continue to uphold the historic Status Quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites. During his visit, Lord Ahmad visited Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount. He emphasised the UK’s unwavering commitment to the Status Quo and to working with the parties to ensure the safety of all who visit. We value Jordan’s important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

Third, we urge the leaders on both sides to promote a culture of peaceful coexistence. The desecration of 30 Christian graves in a Protestant cemetery on Mount Zion this month speaks to the dangers of increasing division along ethnic and religious lines. We are grateful to all sides for their swift condemnation of these shocking acts. As a defender of freedom of religion or belief for all, the UK urges respect for all burial and holy sites, which must be treated with dignity.

Finally, Israel must exercise maximum restraint in the use of live fire when protecting its legitimate security interest. In the first three weeks of this year, 14 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces, including 3 children.

Restoring stability and securing peace is still possible, but requires effort from all sides in a process towards a two state solution. The UK stands ready to support these important objectives.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 January 2023.

Ambassador Bush welcomes the incoming Bosnian FSC Chair and stresses the continued need to highlight the impact of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2023.

Statement delivered by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on human rights and religious freedom in Ukraine.

Thank you President. I thank ASG Brands Kehris for her briefing and the work of OHCHR.

President, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief around the world, a commitment we share with Ukraine, whose democracy is well-known for its pluralism.

We condemn the persecution of any group based on religion or belief. That’s why we hosted a conference in London last year, to urge increased global action to prevent violations and abuses of freedom of religion or belief.

That’s why we condemn Russia’s campaign of persecution against communities in Ukraine and Russia based on their religion or belief.

This includes the detention and oppression of Crimean Tatars, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and clergy belonging to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and Protestant churches in areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia, since 2014.

This includes Russia’s ban against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, which the European Court of Human Rights ruled was unlawful and in violation of fundamental human rights. And it includes the damage and destruction of over 100 religious sites resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine, as verified by UNESCO.

It is clear from Russia’s track record then that they did not request this meeting out of a concern for any human right. If Russia cared about human rights it would not have launched its illegal invasion of Ukraine – an invasion which Russian Orthodox leader, Patriarch Kirill, has supported and recently suggested would leave no trace of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

No, President. The reason Russia has requested this meeting is once again to distract from its own actions.

Colleagues, this is an invasion which, as the UN, OHCHR and the Commission of Inquiry have confirmed, continues to be marked by grave violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. By death, injury and displacement of thousands. Arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and summary execution of Ukrainians by Russian forces. By mass disruption of education and forced deportations of children. And of course attacks on civilian infrastructure and objects, including the devastating attacks on residential buildings in Dnipro just this weekend, which Ukrainian officials have said killed at least 40 people.

This is the real story of human rights in Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor state. Russia is committing heinous crimes and pointing in the other direction to try to pull the wool over our eyes.

President, Russia should stop this propaganda, and instead do what the overwhelming majority of the UN membership has urged them to since February last year: end its invasion of Ukraine, withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders, and uphold its commits under international law and the UN Charter.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2023.

Ambassador Bush expresses concern regarding disruptions to the Lachin Corridor and the associated humanitarian consequences.

Thank you, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan.

The ongoing disruptions to the Lachin Corridor and the associated humanitarian consequences are deeply worrying.

We regret that despite this issue being raised here at the OSCE and the United Nations Security Council, significant progress has not been made. We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to take all measures to allow for the unhindered movement of humanitarian goods and civilians.

The United Kingdom acknowledges that both sides have concerns regarding the implementation of agreements made in relation to the 2020 ceasefire. We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to undertake meaningful negotiations to find a sustainable and peaceful settlement that secures lasting peace and stability for the region.

The United Kingdom offers our continued, unwavering and unconditional support to the international mechanisms, including the OSCE, which are working to support peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It remains clear: only through peacefully facilitated dialogue can peace be reached.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2023.

• Foreign Secretary begins a visit to Washington DC and Toronto to deepen diplomatic, trade and security ties and to keep up the fight against Putin’s illegal invasion
• James Cleverly to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and other senior government figures.
• The Foreign Secretary will discuss coordinated efforts to help Ukraine prevail over Russian aggression, as well as deepening our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and on intelligence, security and humanitarian issues.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly begins his first bilateral visit in post to North America today (Tuesday 17 January) to deepen diplomatic, trade, intelligence and security ties and to stand against Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

James Cleverly will hold an intensive round of diplomatic talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly in Toronto, to encourage international cooperation and support for Ukraine as we approach the second year of the conflict.

The Foreign Secretary will stress to the two allies that now is the time to go further and faster in giving Ukraine the tools to win the war. He will underline that, with the right equipment, the Ukrainian people will prevail. This is part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to accelerate the UK’s diplomatic and military support in the coming weeks in a bid to push Russia further back and secure a lasting peace.

The UK has already committed to match or exceed funding for military aid to Ukraine in 2023. Last year the UK provided £2.3bn in military support that has already helped turn the tide in the war and secure successive Ukrainian battlefield victories.

The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

The UK, US and Canada always have each other’s backs when it counts, protecting the rules-based order for nearly eighty years.

Today we stand united against Putin’s illegal war, and we will continue to use our uniquely strong defence and security ties to ensure that, in the end, the Ukrainian people will win.

The Foreign Secretary will also raise Iran with counterparts, after the UK temporarily recalled its Ambassador to Iran and sanctioned Iran’s Prosecutor General, following the execution of British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari.

During his visit to the US, the Foreign Secretary will set out the UK’s foreign policy priorities at a live event at the Centre for Strategic & International Studies in Washington DC on Tuesday. On Wednesday he will lay a wreath at the US Army Arlington National Cemetery.

In Canada on Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Joly will discuss closer coordination on sanctions, and he will welcome Canada’s leadership in standing up against the arbitrary detention of foreign nationals for diplomatic ends.

He will also discuss the UK’s ongoing efforts to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and progress towards a bilateral free trade agreement.

Following bilateral talks, the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Joly will meet members of the Ukrainian diaspora. In Toronto he will also meet representatives of major Canadian pension funds, as key investors into the UK.

The extensive visit programme reflects the immense value the UK places on its relationships with the US and Canada, and underlines the UK’s role as a steadfast ally, defence partner, and a great place to do business.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2023.

The UK is sending further vital medical supplies to Ukraine to help treat casualties of the Russian offensive.

Over 70 pallets of bandages, crutches, wheelchairs, and other much needed medical supplies are being donated to UK-Med, a frontline medical NGO, for those injured in Russian attacks. The supplies come from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s emergency response stocks and will be used across Ukraine, including in Dnipro, Poltava and Lviv, to boost UK-Med’s ongoing work to establish mobile clinics to reach and treat vulnerable people.

They include tents to be used for temporary treatment centres where health facilities have been damaged, as well as nearly 80 beds, over 30,000 gowns, aprons, bandages, needles, and other vital pieces of medical equipment.

UK-Med’s support in Ukraine provides a range of vital medical services, from surgical interventions and primary health care to mental health and psychosocial support. They are also training civilians in trauma first aid and delivering psychological first aid training for medical teams.

The donation comes as the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits the US and Canada, where he is meeting with members of the Ukrainian diaspora and discussing support to Ukraine with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Putin’s brutal bombardment of civilians and infrastructure across Ukraine is continuing to have a massive human cost, with the Ukrainian people paying the price.

This latest UK donation will help ensure medics on the frontline can continue to provide life-saving medical support to those caught in the conflict.

The UK has previously donated equipment and pharmaceutical supplies to UK-Med, in addition to £300,000 funding, to set up mobile health clinics and help train Ukrainian doctors, nurses and paramedics on how to deal with mass casualties. This latest donation builds on that work, to support the most vulnerable civilians remaining in Ukraine, including the elderly and young children.

Tom Godfrey, Operations Director at UK-Med, said:

UK-Med is very grateful for the donation of these supplies which will make a real difference to the day-to-day work of clinicians in Ukraine, working in very challenging conditions to provide healthcare to conflict affected populations.

This builds on donations from FCDO in 2022 and helps to cement UK-Med as a key partner for the Ministry of Health in Ukraine. This will contribute to our work directly treating war wounded through surgical interventions as well as providing primary health care including mental health care support to affected populations which is supplemented by an extensive capacity building program.

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is killing innocent civilians and destroying vital infrastructure. The UN estimates that almost 18million people in Ukraine need humanitarian support. This donation is part of the UK’s commitment to provide medical supplies and basic necessities on the ground, saving lives and protecting vulnerable people. This includes over £220 million worth of humanitarian support through the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs, including the Disasters Emergency Committee members and UK-Med.