Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2022.

Statement delivered at the UN Third Committee adoption of a resolution on human rights in Syria.

Thank you very much Mr Chair.

The United Kingdom strongly reiterates its support for this resolution and welcomes other co-sponsors. This language sets out the international community’s shared concerns and urges Syria to improve its appalling human rights record.

15 March 2022 saw the 11th anniversary of the conflict in Syria, marking over a decade of atrocities in Syria. The UK condemns these acts and strongly supports efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity to account.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the situation over the past 12 months. The Syrian regime continues to commit crimes against humanity, war crimes, and human rights violations against the Syrian people, including the use of sexual violence, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture.

Tens of thousands of Syrians have been forcibly disappeared and detained during the conflict. Thousands of families wait to hear about loved ones. It is crucial that Syrians receive information about these disappeared persons, and that efforts are increased to deliver answers and accountability for victims of the regime. The regime must provide answers.

The humanitarian situation has worsened dramatically since cross-border access was reduced. An estimated 14.6 million people need humanitarian assistance and approximately 12 million people face acute food insecurity. It is vital that life-saving cross-border access continues, particularly in the harsh winter months, and with a Cholera outbreak spreading in the region.

The UK also defends the use of country-specific resolutions in the Third Committee. The Committee’s remit focuses on the examination of “human rights issues that affect people all over the world”. Such resolutions are only tabled for the most serious or prevalent violators.

The Syrian people must not be forgotten and must not be left to resolve this crisis alone. Through the adoption of this resolution, the international community can hold the Syrian regime to account and help ensure it fully complies with its international legal and human rights obligations. Therefore, we would urge all states to vote for this resolution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by Foreign Office on 16 November 2022.

Statement delivered at the UN Third Committee adoption of a resolution on human rights in Iran.

Thank you Mr Chair.

The United Kingdom wishes to thank Canada for bringing forward this timely resolution.

In recent months, the human rights situation in Iran has continued to deteriorate. Two months ago, we witnessed the tragic death of Mahsa Amini: a shocking reminder of the repression faced by women in Iran. We deplore the violent suppression of women’s rights, and enforcement of the mandatory hijab and chastity law by Iran’s so-called Morality Police.

We also find Iran’s response to the protests movement that followed Mahsa’s death truly abhorrent. Over 326 Iranians have lost their lives and over 14,000 have been arrested. The death sentence announced last week, for a protestor, signifies a shocking worsening of the situation.

It is for these reasons that we welcome Germany and Iceland’s efforts to call a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on 24 November, which we hope will mandate a robust investigation into protest-related human rights violations in Iran.

Sadly, such repression remains systematic in Iran. In the first six months of 2022, Iran executed at least 251 people. The UN also called out Iran for executing a juvenile offender in November 2021.

The UK supports the essential work of the Special Rapporteur in shining a spotlight on Iran’s human rights violations. We welcome his efforts to expose the systematic repression of minority groups, as well as continued restrictions on media freedom and internet access.

Mr Chair, the Iranian people have suffered enough. It is time their fundamental freedoms were upheld, including the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and speech both online and offline. Iran’s leaders must choose another path. Now is the time to stop blaming external actors, to hold up the mirror and start listening to the voices of their people. Yet Iran continues to suppress the voices of civil society, and report of Member States attempting to block NGO access to the room today are a further concern. The UK encourages all Member States to now join us in voting yes on this resolution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2022.

Statement delivered at the UN Third Committee adoption of a resolution on human rights in Crimea.

Thank you Mr. Chair.

The United Kingdom reiterates its support for this resolution and welcomes the significant number of co-sponsoring states.

This year, we have looked on in horror as Putin launched his unprovoked, illegal war, bringing untold suffering to the innocent people of Ukraine. But we are acutely aware that for people in Crimea, this story began eight years ago, in 2014.

Since then, they have endured a brutal and systematic campaign of human rights violations and abuses at the hands of the Russian authorities: arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and unjustifiable restrictions on the fundamental freedoms of movement, expression and religion or belief. Many of these measures have been disproportionately targeted at ethnic and religious minorities, in particular Crimean Tatars.

Since Russia’s invasion this February, the human rights situation in Crimea has only further deteriorated. This resolution highlights that Crimea has become both a base from which to launch attacks on the rest of Ukraine, and a blueprint for further Russian human rights abuses in Ukrainian territory. We condemn the conscription and mobilisation of Ukrainian civilians in Crimea into Russia’s Armed forces, and the forced imposition of Russian legislation further limiting freedom of expression, including the freedom to speak out against Russia’s brutal war.

And we regret that – despite this Committee’s repeated requests – Russia continues to deny access for international monitoring missions to Crimea and other regions of Ukraine under its temporary control.

Russia will undoubtedly accuse us of politicising this Committee. But the UK strongly defends the use of country-specific resolutions, which complement the work of the Human Rights Council and other fora in providing scrutiny of adherence to human rights obligations.
Indeed, on 4 November this year, this Committee adopted a resolution that noted with alarm that Russia has sought to justify its territorial aggression against Ukraine on the purported basis of eliminating neo-Nazism.

By failing to make even the weakest case against this language, Russia tacitly acknowledged what we all know: It has no justification for its aggression against Ukraine

Adoption of this resolution today will underline the international community’s support for Ukraine in their fight against that aggression, and their resolve to maintain pressure on Russia to bring an end to its systematic abuse of human rights in Ukraine.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2022.

Statement delivered at the UN Third Committee adoption of a resolution on human rights in Myanmar.

Thank you Mr Chair.

The United Kingdom reiterates our support for this resolution, which we are grateful to the European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for tabling.

The military coup continues to bring acute suffering to the people of Myanmar. The country is plunging ever deeper into political, economic and humanitarian crises. This resolution rightly highlights the continued deterioration of human rights, including for the Rohingya and other minorities.

We strongly condemn the military’s campaign of human rights violations, including credible reports of torture, burning of villages, indiscriminate airstrikes and mass killings. The military’s use of sexual violence to terrorise vulnerable populations is of further abhorrence. Over 600,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine state, where they continue to face systemic discrimination; and are denied their citizenship rights and access to education and healthcare. All human rights violations must end immediately.

Whilst strongly supportive of this resolution, we would like to have seen more language around the role of international arms flows, which facilitate the most egregious human rights violations in Myanmar. The UK has a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar, and we are strongly urging of Member States in halting the flow of arms to the military regime.

We continue to stand with the people of Myanmar, and for an immediate end to violence and a return to democracy.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2022.

Delivered 16 November 2022 on behalf of France, Germany and the United Kingdom to the IAEA Board of Governors addressing Iran’s implementation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPoA.

Chair,

On behalf of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, I thank Director General Grossi for his latest report contained in GOV/2022/62, and Deputy Director General Aparo for his Technical Briefing. Once again, we commend the Agency for carrying out its mandate conferred by the United Nations Security Council – even given Iranian non-adherence with its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The E3 thank the Agency for its objective reporting of Iran’s activities with regards to these commitments and encourage the Director General to keep the Board informed regarding the Iranian nuclear programme in all its aspects. We would welcome the Agency’s last quarterly report on monitoring and verification in Iran to be made public.

The Director General very clearly reports that Iran is moving further and further away from its commitments agreed upon in 2015.

Today, Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile exceeds JCPoA limits by 18 times and comprises very concerning amounts of uranium enriched up to 5, 20 and 60 percent.
Since the Director General`s last report as of September this year, Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 20 percent by 16 percent and its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent by 12 percent.
There is no credible civilian justification for these activities which are inconsistent with Iran’s JCPoA commitments for both enrichment levels and quantities of enriched material.
This situation will only worsen in the near future if Iran does not decide to return to full compliance with its commitments under the JCPoA. Iran has also drastically increased production of uranium enriched up to 5 percent, enabling Iran to produce even more HEU in the future. In his report, the Director General notes Iran has rapidly increased its enrichment capabilities through the testing and installation of additional IR-1 centrifuges as well as of advanced centrifuges. For example,

At the underground location in Natanz, Iran has significantly increased the number of centrifuges producing uranium enriched up to 5 percent.
More than half of Iran`s advanced centrifuges at Natanz have been installed since the beginning of this year.
Iran’s knowledge gains from the operation of advanced centrifuges are irreversible.
In addition, the Director General once again emphasised in his report that Iran’s decision to stop cooperating with the Agency with regards to monitoring and verification activities agreed in the JCPoA has seriously affected the Agency’s knowledge of Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran’s decision to remove Agency surveillance and monitoring equipment has, as the Director General says, detrimental implications for the Agency’s ability to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran`s nuclear programme.

Chair,

These steps present a very clear picture: Iran continues its unprecedented nuclear escalation. This raises serious doubts as to the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, which threatens regional and international security.

The E3, along with our partners, have done our utmost to negotiate a return to a reasonably restricted Iranian nuclear programme. After many months of negotiations, the JCPoA Coordinator tabled viable deals in March and again in August this year which would have returned Iran to full compliance with its JCPoA commitments and returned the US to the deal. Iran refused these packages with continued demands beyond the scope of the JCPoA, despite further efforts over the summer.

Chair,

The situation we are in is very dangerous. We urge Iran to immediately stop and reverse its nuclear escalation, allow for complete transparency with the IAEA by returning to full cooperation, and re-applying the Additional Protocol, as an important confidence-building step. We also recall that, under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Iran is legally obliged to implement Modified Code 3.1. and, according to international law, Iran cannot change its application or withdraw from it unilaterally.

Chair,

We will continue consultations, alongside international partners, on how best to address Iran’s unabated and dangerous nuclear escalation. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2022.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on the Sahel.

Thank you President, and I thank ASG Pobee, Executive Secretary Tiare, and to Mr Usman for their briefings.

President, the regional picture in the Sahel is stark. Countries are facing unprecedented challenges with escalating violence, rising humanitarian needs and famine-like conditions. As always, it is ordinary people who suffer the most. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the people of the Sahel – last year we contributed around $355 million to the region.

However, if our collective response to these challenges is to be sustainable then the right conditions need to be in place.

Firstly, political will is needed to drive forward accountable governance, rule of law and justice. With three countries in the region now in the midst of political transitions, continued engagement with ECOWAS and the African Union is vital. We urge the Burkinabe, Chadian and Malian authorities to prepare for elections in open dialogue with civil society, including women and young people.

Second, effective counter-terrorism and respect for human rights must go hand in hand. To do otherwise risks aggravating grievances, undermining trust with local communities, and driving recruitment to terrorist groups. The harmful impact of Wagner Group operations on civilians in Mali and elsewhere on the continent is, by now, well documented. This is why Wagner will not succeed in Mali, and why they are not the right answer for any other country in the region.

We welcome the UN’s efforts to build the G5 Sahel Joint Force’s capacities for human rights compliance. But we urge the Joint Force to implement the mitigation measures identified under Human Rights Due Diligence assessments, as a condition of MINUSMA’s support.

Finally, President, like others we look forward to the outcome of the Independent High Level Panel Strategic Assessment on the Sahel. We also look forward to the forthcoming discussions in the region on the Accra Initiative. Together these will help us to identify how best to work together to support regional security.

The United Kingdom remains committed to helping address the Sahel’s challenges through a holistic approach, with accountable governance and human rights at its heart. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2022.

Thank you President, and I would like to thank SRSG Bathily for taking time away from his important engagement with Libyan stakeholders to brief the Council today. I welcome your continued engagement with all Libyan stakeholders, including women and youth, across the country.

Let me once again express the United Kingdom’s support for SRSG Bathily and his efforts to reinvigorate Libya’s stalled peace process. Stability in Libya can only be achieved through a UN-facilitated, Libyan-led and owned process that leads to Parliamentary and Presidential elections as soon as possible. All Libyan parties have an obligation to work with SRSG Bathily to achieve this and deliver elections for the Libyan people.

We are concerned by reports that armed groups prevented a meeting of the High State Council in Tripoli yesterday. Any attempt to obstruct civilian institutions from carrying out their responsibilities is unacceptable.

President, the United Kingdom reaffirms our commitment to working with Libya and our international partners to secure peace, stability and prosperity for Libya. The unanimous adoption of the 12-month UNSMIL mandate renewal was a welcome demonstration of the Council’s support, and I look forward to engaging with SRSG Bathily again during the mandated Council meeting next month.

And I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2022.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown highlights the importance of women’s economic empowerment at OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting.

Thank you, Mister Chair,

It cannot be overstated how vital women’s economic participation is to countries’ economic development, and how valuable women’s economic inclusion is for maintaining peace in post-conflict settings. Today’s meeting is a clear signal of the importance of the topic.

Women and girls are at the heart of the UK’s approach to economic development. We integrate gender provisions into our Free Trade Agreements; partner with G7 Finance Institutions to mobilise investments for women in developing markets; and our Work and Opportunities for Women programme has helped over a hundred thousand women access better jobs and improved working conditions in global value chains.

Over the years OSCE participating States have collectively committed to several important decisions on women’s economic participation; notably in 2011 when we expressed our concern about women’s continued inequality in labour markets; and in 2017 when we recognised the significant contribution of women’s economic empowerment to economic development and cohesive societies.

But these commitments cannot be fulfilled when those we seek to empower are forced to flee bullets and bombs.

Mister Chair, it is currently, the women of Ukraine who are facing some of the greatest threats to their economic empowerment in the OSCE region.

Since Russia launched their war of aggression on 24 February, over 7 million refugees have fled Ukraine, over 90% of whom are reportedly women and children; a further 6 million are internally displaced, including women and children in need of medical care.

Russia’s war has done significant damage to the Ukrainian economy, with inflation forecast to exceed 30% by the end of this year and a public sector funding gap of 38 billion dollars. As we saw during the COVID pandemic, economic shocks hit the most vulnerable hardest, particularly those in more precarious employment; those who cannot work remotely; or those with childcare responsibilities. Women are disproportionately represented in these groups.

To help, the UK has so far provided around 400 million pounds in economic and humanitarian grants to ensure the continued running of vital humanitarian services for Ukrainians. Furthermore the UK’s Good Governance Fund is supporting Ukrainian SMEs to relocate and resume operations in Poland, helping them navigate the legal requirements of operating there. All our programmes mainstream gender equality; and we have also been supporting refugees to access financial services outside Ukraine.

Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of freedom and democracy over autocracy. But the extent of Russian destruction means Ukraine needs international support to rebuild. At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano in July, the UK reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Among other assistance, the UK has provided guarantees unlocking £1.35 billion of World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) lending to Ukraine. We look forward to hosting the second Ukraine Recovery Conference next year and a continued focus on women’s economic empowerment at the OSCE.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2022.

• Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will sign new agreement with Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides to enhance UK-Cyprus cooperation.
• The ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU) will boost collaboration on foreign policy, security, science, climate and trade.
• The UK and Cyprus will work together to respond to shared threats such as global warming and the Ukraine crisis.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides of the Republic of Cyprus in London today (Tuesday 15 November) to sign a new agreement for closer bilateral relations between the two countries.

The ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ will increase foreign policy, security, economic and educational ties between the UK and Cyprus.  It will support joint cooperation on urgent global challenges such as climate change and Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The modern UK-Cyprus relationship is defined by our shared history, our common values, and our mutual ambition for the future – underpinned by our close people-to-people links.

This agreement will boost research collaboration between our universities and increase opportunities for trade in professional services, shipping and green growth.

To ensure implementation of the agreement, the UK and the Republic of Cyprus will hold regular consultations to assess progress, exchange information and propose new areas for joint cooperation.

After the MOU signing, Foreign Minister Kasoulides will attend a lunch hosted by Lord Ahmad, Minister of State for the UN.

The UK and Cyprus have just celebrated 62 years of bilateral relations and share strong people-to-people links, with 300,000 Cypriots residing in the UK and approximately one million Brits visiting Cyprus every year.

Both countries will continue to work closely together for a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus settlement process within the UN parameters.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2022.

Statement delivered by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly discussion on a resolution on remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine.

Thank you President.

Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, including its attacks on civilians, schools, hospitals and power supplies, has caused and continues to cause immense damage and loss to Ukraine and its people.

In contrast, the scenes of relief and joy we have seen as Ukrainian civilians in Kherson greet the liberating Armed Forces of Ukraine should leave us in no doubt at the cruel and destructive nature of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It will take a broad international effort to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction in order to build a safe and prosperous future for the Ukrainian people.

But only one country, Russia, is responsible for the damage to Ukraine and it is absolutely right, as this resolution sets out, that Russia pay for that damage. Russia must be held to account for actions which are in clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter.

The United Kingdom supports Ukraine’s ambition to establish a register of damage to ensure that the evidence of the destruction caused by Russia is documented and preserved. This is an important first step in Ukrainian efforts to seek justice in accordance with international law. It is right that we begin that process now.

Putin must end his war of choice, end the lies and distortion, end the global devastation in its wake, and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.

We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, and for justice and compensation for the damage which Russia has caused. Thank you President.