Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN HRC52: UK Statement for the High-Level dialogue on the Central African Republic.

Thank you, Mr President.

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by increases in the number of human rights violations and abuses in the Central African Republic. Reports have highlighted that Central African Armed Forces and Wagner Group forces are responsible for the majority of these.

Wagner Group has shown repeatedly that their presence in CAR is self-serving. We continue to urge the government to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and to ensure that all perpetrators are held to account.

We are equally concerned by reports of attacks on expatriates and urge the Government to ensure the protection of all citizens.

We call for a revitalisation of the peace process. The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict and crisis in the Central African Republic. We call on the Government to build on political progress through meaningful engagement with all actors in country.

Lastly, we commend the progress made by the National Elections Authority and the support of the Central African Government, MINUSCA and UNDP, in preparing for the local elections in July 2023. We remain concerned about financial, logistical and security challenges in organising these crucial elections.

Mr Agbetse,

What steps should CAR and the international community take to stem the worsening human rights situation?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on President Putin’s announcement of basing nuclear weapons in Belarus.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

Accession means lower tariffs on some exports to the UK, which are not already removed through the UK’s bilateral agreements with member countries.

The UK has today, 31 March, announced the conclusion of trade talks with member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a vast free trade area spanning the Asia-Pacific, after 21 months of negotiations.

The bloc is home to over 500 million people and will have a total GDP of £11 trillion once the UK joins.

Negotiations, which began in June 2021, concluded after an intense round of talks in Vietnam, with representatives from all CPTPP member countries agreeing to the UK’s accession.

The UK is the first new member and European country to join CPTPP, which is made up of 11 Pacific nations including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

As a free trade area connecting a wide group of economies, CPTPP creates opportunities to deepen our trading links across the Americas, providing a range of different opportunities with the different countries.

CPTPP membership will complement and reinforce existing bilateral trade agreements we have already signed, including those with Chile, Mexico and Peru.

Joining the CPTPP trading bloc means that over 99% of UK goods exports to CPTPP members will be eligible for tariff-free trade, and UK membership will secure CPTPP countries greater access to the fifth largest market in the world by GDP, with 67 million consumers.

Accession means lower tariffs on some exports to the UK which are not already removed through the UK’s bilateral agreements with member countries.

UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

Our accession to CPTPP sends a powerful signal that the UK is open for business and using our post-Brexit freedoms to reach out to new markets, including in the Asia Pacific region, and grow our economy.

Joining this influential trade bloc will help us to shape the rules of global trade with like-minded nations, and work even closer together on our shared priorities of prosperity, security and free and fair trade.

UK membership could also benefit businesses and investors in all CPTPP countries through modern rules that make it easier to establish, operate investments and do business in the UK.

It sends a powerful signal that the UK as an independent trading nation will continue to champion free and fair trade, fight protectionism and remove barriers to trade at every opportunity, helping to reinforce the rules-based international system at a critical time in our history.

Five rounds of talks with UK and CPTPP chief negotiators took place in total, with many more intersessional and bilateral negotiations alongside, and for the final round in Vietnam alone more than 150 delegates from all CPTPP member countries took part.

As one of the largest free trade areas in the world, CPTPP accounted for 12 percent of global GDP in 2021. This would rise to 15 percent with the UK’s accession, adding substantial value to this huge free trade area.

HM Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jonathan Knott said:

The UK’s strategic interests align closely with our CPTPP member countries from Latin America, Mexico, Chile and Peru. Our priorities for the region include protecting economic security, tackling climate change and defending our values and the international rules-based order. We share a vision for free, open and secure trade.

I am confident that the UK accession will consolidate CPTPP as a bedrock of a rich network of economic and strategic relationships.

The British Ambassador to Chile, Louise de Sousa, said:

CPTPP will deepen trade links between the UK and Chile, enhancing our current Free Trade Agreement by removing barriers and improving market access.

Chile is already the UK’s third largest export market in Latin America and the removal of barriers to trade will provide opportunities for businesses across numerous sectors, fostering economic growth and enhancing our bilateral relationship.

Greater alignment on cross-border trade in services and e-commerce will open opportunities in financial services, while closer alignment will support key strategic sectors such as energy and infrastructure, whilst helping bother countries implement our decarbonisation plans.

Through our bilateral Trade Dialogue with Chile, the UK government will continue to look at ways to boost trade for SMEs, innovative businesses and address the deficit of female-led companies in our trade relationship, utilising the new opportunities under CPTPP.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Brown welcomes ODIHR’s report and Kazakhstan’s engagement, as the country continues its programme of reforms.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN HRC52:Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s oral update on the situation in Ukraine. Delivered by UK Ambassador to WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley.

Thank you High Commissioner.

Last week, the Commission of Inquiry confirmed to this Council that Russia is committing numerous violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, many of which amount to war crimes. Your thoughtful update only reinforces the devastating impacts of Russia’s war. Impacts tragically denied by Russia this morning.

In territory under Russian control, including illegally annexed Crimea, innocent civilians bear the brunt of Russia’s aggression, subjected to unimaginable abuse and denied even the most basic rights and freedoms. Russia’s disinformation machine is in full swing, including in this room, and their statement that Ukraine is committing violations against children is farcical and insulting. Let me remind this room that the COI has found that war crimes are being committed by Russian Forces on a large scale.

This is a deliberate attempt to break the Ukrainian people’s spirit by instilling terror and maximising hardship. That it is not working does not make Putin’s disregard for their human rights or dignity any less horrifying.

We urge Russia once again to cease its senseless attacks, and withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s sovereign territory and end the lies.

High Commissioner,

What more can we do to support those living under Russian oppression, particularly those who are most vulnerable, such as children and persons with disabilities?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN Human Rights Council 52: Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Mali as delivered by the UK.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN HRC52: Debate in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Statement delivered by the UK.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN HRC52: UK statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Thank you Mr Vice President,

We thank all the speakers for their updates.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in DRC, particularly in eastern provinces. The re-emergence of UN-sanctioned armed group M23 has resulted in increased violence, a large spike in humanitarian need, and over 800,000 people displaced since March 2022. We strongly condemn human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by all actors in DRC. The redeployment of resources to tackle M23 has undermined the protection of civilians elsewhere, leading to increased attacks by other armed groups including the Allied Democratic Forces and CODECO. Vulnerable populations have a right to peace; the situation on the ground must improve.

We welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening democracy and addressing the conflict – it is vital that these efforts continue. The human rights of all Congolese people must be respected, and all those who have committed human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable. We would welcome the High Commissioner’s assessment of how this Council can best support these efforts.

Mr Vice President,

We reiterate our full support to the regional political processes and urge all parties to respect the commitments made. There is only one way out of this conflict – the violence must stop – to give dialogue and peace a chance to succeed, to give those who have endured terrible acts of violence, and threats to their lives and livelihoods, and those of their loved ones, a chance to rebuild and begin again.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council debate on Peace and Security in Africa.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

German Ambassador to the OSCE gives a statement on behalf of 45 OSCE participating States on the deportation of children amidst Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Mr. Chairperson, I am delivering this statement on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union Member States.

Today, our delegations will send the following letter to Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Director Matteo Mecacci, invoking the Moscow Mechanism, with the support of Ukraine, as we continue to have concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law following Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly with regard to the forced transfer and deportation of children by the Russian Federation.

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation, with the support of Belarus, launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. This expanded invasion took place against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine that has, since 2014, violated Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

In 2022, 45 OSCE Delegations, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna (Human Dimension) Mechanism, twice invoked Paragraph 8 of the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism “to address the human rights and humanitarian impacts of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, supported by Belarus, on the people of Ukraine, within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.”

As a result of these two invocations, OSCE participating States received the independent expert missions’ reports of 12 April and 11 July 2022. Alongside the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Second Interim Report of 14 December 2022, these confirmed our shared concerns about the impact of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, its violations and abuses of human rights, and violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, and, in particular, credible reports of forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including unaccompanied children.

We are particularly alarmed by the findings of both expert missions that some of the violations may amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes.

For instance, in the 12 April 2022 report, the mission of experts stated, inter alia, that “Equally alarming are the reports about the alleged detention of large numbers of Ukrainian civilians and their massive displacement to the areas under the effective control of Russia or, even, to Russia’s own territory. The Mission recalls that deportation and forcible transfer of population, when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population with the knowledge of this attack, constitutes a crime against humanity”.

Furthermore, in the 11 July 2022 report, the expert mission noted evidence of deportations, inter alia, that “since 1 April 2022, the number of Ukrainian civilians deported from the occupied territories to Russia has continued to rise.” It was stated that “Mass forcible transfers of civilians during a conflict to the territory of the occupying party are prohibited under the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The practice is considered a war crime.”

Additionally, on 14 December 2022, in its Second Interim Report on reported violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine, ODIHR stated, in particular, that “Various reports collected throughout the reporting period provide evidence that the Russian Federation has adopted a policy with regard to unaccompanied children that may be contrary to applicable international law. Numerous credible allegations of forced transfer and deportation of unaccompanied children within the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as to the Russian Federation’s own territory, have been documented in recent months.”

We acknowledge that children are among the most vulnerable in times of war and require special attention and protection. As OSCE participating States have committed “to actively promote children’s rights and interests, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations” (Istanbul 1999 Summit Declaration), we are appalled by the reports that many children are among those Ukrainian civilians forcibly transferred within parts of Ukraine’s territory temporarily controlled or occupied by Russia and/or deported from Ukraine to the Russian Federation, and by reports that Russian authorities undertake to re-educate and assimilate them. We also are concerned about reports of so-called “summer camps”, where allegedly children have been barred from contacting or returning to their parents or guardians. We are concerned that the forcible transfer and/or deportation of these children may also expose them to numerous human rights violations and abuses, in particular those relating to a change of the child’s personal status, including citizenship, separation from parents or guardians, adoption, and other violations or abuses leading to forced assimilation. We note that some of the reported cases date back before 24 February 2022.

Gravely concerned by the continuing impacts of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, in particular on the civilian population, including children, the delegations of Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America), following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna Mechanism, invoke the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism under Paragraph 8 of that document.

We request that ODIHR inquire of Ukraine whether it would invite a mission of experts to build upon previous findings and establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments, violations and abuses of human rights, and violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, associated with or resulting from the forcible transfer of children within parts of Ukraine’s territory temporarily controlled or occupied by Russia and/or their deportation to the Russian Federation; and to collect, consolidate, and analyze this information with a view to offer recommendations, as well as provide the information to relevant accountability mechanisms, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.

We also invite ODIHR to provide any relevant information or documentation derived from any new expert mission to other appropriate accountability mechanisms, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.