Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2025.

The UK reaffirms our thanks to Special Representative Dr Kari Johnstone for the work of her Office.

Thank you Chair and thank you, Special Representative, for your report. The UK recognises and welcomes the valuable contribution of your Office to anti-trafficking efforts across the OSCE region.

It is critical that we continue to monitor emerging risks of trafficking and exploitation resulting from conflicts and humanitarian crises. Russia’s war against Ukraine leaves many vulnerable, particularly women and children. Russian authorities have forcibly deported over 19,500 Ukrainian children to Russia or the temporarily occupied territories. We must strengthen protection measures, and we commend your Office’s efforts in supporting states to do so. With that in mind what innovative approaches can you see frontline actors adopting to detect and prevent trafficking during humanitarian and conflict crises, and how can these practices be scaled across the OSCE region?

In line with the UK’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, we work with international partners, including the OSCE, to eradicate modern slavery, forced labour, and human trafficking. We face increasingly complex forms of exploitation, including a rise in trafficking for forced criminality. The UK is proud to support your Office’s work on forced criminality in online scamming operations. We must enhance prevention, early identification, and reintegration for victims and survivors across the OSCE region.

We also welcome your Office’s efforts to include survivors and those with lived experience. Their voices and expertise are vital to tackling and preventing modern slavery. The UK is supporting UNDP to develop guidance for investors on engaging survivors in human rights due diligence and grievance mechanisms.

Special Representative, thank you again for your report. It highlights the impressive contributions of your Office and reminds OSCE states of the need for greater cooperation on this agenda. We look forward to continued UK engagement with your Office to support its valuable work.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2025.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford highlights Ukraine’s constructive approach, condemns Russia’s ongoing aggression, and affirms the UK’s commitment to defending international law and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. Peace in Ukraine must be built on foundations that reinforce the rules safeguarding European security.

Thank you, Chair.

The UK fully supports efforts to secure peace in Ukraine. We welcome the progress that has been made and agree with the joint statement from Ukraine and the US that “real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace”.

Ukraine has demonstrated time and again its constructive and realistic approach to peace, including the intensive discussions that have taken place over the past couple of weeks.  Ultimately it is for the Ukrainian people and leadership to determine the terms that are acceptable to them. The UK will continue to stand by Ukraine, both because it is the right thing to do and because the outcome matters to us all.

Russia’s war against Ukraine is an assault not only on a sovereign state but also on the principles that underpin European security.  Without provocation, Russia violated every single Helsinki principle: respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, refraining from the threat or use of force.

But it is in all of our interests that these principles endure – because they are the guardrails that prevent the next conflict. History shows us that the way wars end shapes the peace that follows. Our task is to ensure that, in Ukraine, peace is built on foundations that strengthen – not weaken – the rules that protect us all.

Standing up for Ukraine is standing up for our own security. If borders can be redrawn by force, none of us can rely on the rules that keep us safe.  We don’t call for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine because we are idealists or of course for any of the cynical reasons that the Kremlin’s disinformation would have some believe.  It is required because it is right and because legitimising this illegal invasion would erode the foundations of peace in Europe for generations to come.

Our message must be clear: International law matters. The UN Charter matters. The Helsinki Final Act matters. These are not abstract words; they are the framework that keeps Europe secure. If we fail to defend them, we will pay a far higher price later.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

Statement by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

Today’s briefing occurs at an important time for the Mechanism.  

In the first half of 2026 Council Members will engage in detailed discussions on the future of the Mechanism.  

Whilst the details of those discussions will take place over the months ahead there are some general principles which, in our view, should guide the work of the Council.

First, and as the Council has agreed previously, the Mechanism should be a small, temporary and efficient structure, whose functions and size diminish over time and whose staffing and structure should be commensurate with those functions. 

Given the completion of the Mechanism’s core crimes work, it is natural and appropriate that, in future, the Mechanism should be a substantially smaller institution than has been the case to date.  

This would be reflective of the truly residual nature of the institution at this later stage in the justice cycle.

In order to achieve this, it would be appropriate to transfer certain functions currently performed by the Mechanism either to States or to other institutional structures. 

The UK is grateful for the work which the Mechanism and the principals have already undertaken in assessing how this could be achieved in practice.  

We are pleased that there appears to be a considerable degree of agreement between the Prosecutor, President and Secretary General on this matter.  

This is welcome and provides a strong starting point for the work that lies ahead.

There will, of course, be a range of proposals and we stand ready to consider those.

However, to comment briefly on a specific example, the UK can see a strong case for the transfer of work relating to the provision of assistance to national jurisdictions away from the Mechanism.  

Such work remains valuable, as is attested to, by the ongoing demand for this assistance from States.  

But such a workstream may not need to be provided by the Mechanism as currently structured. 

Nonetheless, Mr President, it is also clear that some functions will, of necessity, need to remain at the international level.  

This includes certain judicial functions, for instance, where there is a need for consistency in decision-making.  

As we move ahead with this work, we look forward to receiving the upcoming OIOS and Secretary General reports, which we are confident will prove of assistance to Council Members.

In relation to the archives, we agree with the principle that, where possible, these should be housed as close as possible to affected communities.  

We hope and expect that this will prove to be the case in respect of the archives of the ICTR.  

We hope the same will also apply to the archives of the ICTY and, at minimum, we see a good case for these to be located in Europe.

Finally, and on a different note, we wish to extend our gratitudes to the Mechanism for facilitating a visit by representatives of Council Members to the UN Detention Unit in The Hague during this reporting period.  

This enabled Council members to see for themselves the fully satisfactory nature of the provision there.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

The British High Commission has announced that construction on the new buildings have started at the existing site in Nicosia.

Our historic site, which was formerly part of the Central Prisons’ compound, will soon house a new, fit-for-purpose, eco-friendly High Commission, which will better symbolise the strong and growing partnership between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus. 

The €40 million-plus project – the largest current project on the UK’s diplomatic estate – constitutes a mark of confidence in the strength of the bilateral relationship. And with the prime contractor being the Cypriot-owned firm Atlas Pantou, it is also a significant British investment into the Cypriot economy.

Ground was broken in December and is the project is expected to be completed by November 2028. The project consists of a new High Commission office building, a security facility and a new Residence for the High Commissioner. The new compound will be carbon-neutral, contributing to Cyprus’ efforts to reduce emissions in our common fight to tackle the climate crisis.

The existing High Commission buildings will continue to be functional until the opening of our new building. While there will be new temporary access points for visitors, our services will not be interrupted.

British High Commissioner Michael Tatham, said:

“Any new construction represents change and a departure from the past. We see this as a massive upgrade, reflecting the value that the UK attaches to its strong partnership with  the Republic of Cyprus. We are looking forward to seeing a new High Commission take shape – and to inviting our many Cypriot friends and partners to see it soon.”

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

Ambassador Holland highlights the intensification of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure in 2025, despite ongoing peace negotiations. He reiterates the UK’s grave concern and calls for Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, cease its aggression, and engage seriously in negotiations.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As we conclude the FSC’s work for 2025, the United Kingdom reiterates its grave concern at Russia’s ongoing campaign against Ukraine. Each winter since 2022, we have cited independent sources detailing Russia’s pattern of targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure. This year, that pattern has intensified. 

Despite ongoing peace negotiations, Russia has escalated its attacks. Three data points make this very clear: 

In 2025 Russia has killed over 2,200 Ukrainian civilians and injured more than 11,000. This is a 27% increase in casualties compared to last year.  

Since Russia sent a delegation to the first bilateral talks with Ukraine in mid-May, it has launched the 35 largest air attacks of the entire war.  

And from June to November, Russian drones fired have averaged over 5,300 a month. This is more than five times the 2024 monthly average.  

This is not the conduct of a state seeking peace. That is why, at the Ministerial Council last week, our Minister said: “we are committed to holding Russia to account – for its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war against Ukraine; for the forced deportations of innocent children; and for unlawfully detaining civilians, including, as has been referenced, three members of this organisation’s staff.” 

Mr Chair, the UK hopes that this is the last time we sit at this Forum against the backdrop of Russia’s war. As we have established clearly in this Forum, the only obstruction to peace is Russia’s continued willingness to fight a war of aggression that it started. A war which continues to cause misery and death on our continent. 

The path to peace remains clear.  It is a path that Russia must choose. It must choose to return to full compliance with international law and the Helsinki Final Act. It must choose to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And it must choose to cease its attacks, withdraw all of its forces from all of Ukraine, and to engage seriously in negotiations. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Today, I will focus on three of the key points that were raised by our briefers: first, on the appalling erosion of rights in Afghanistan, secondly, on the dire humanitarian situation, and thirdly, on how the UN process can drive progress. 

Today, as we observe International Human Rights Day, the promise of universal rights in Afghanistan remains tragically unfulfilled. 

Over the four years of the Taliban’s rule, repression has intensified. Over a hundred edicts have systematically eroded the rights of Afghan women and girls. Girls cannot attend school after the age of 12, and for more than three months, the Taliban has banned women from working at UN offices.

The UK Government unequivocally condemns this appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights, and we urge its immediate reversal.

In October, UK officials travelled to Kabul to press the Taliban to reverse these barbaric decrees.

The international community must unite against the Taliban’s assault on human rights. We must not abandon half of Afghanistan’s population.

Second, the humanitarian situation. As winter approaches, the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan remain dire. As today’s briefers set out, in 2026, an estimated 21.9 million people – 45 per cent of the Afghan population – will require humanitarian assistance. 

The UK continues to work to support the country’s most vulnerable, especially women and girls. We remain a major donor, allocating up to $201 million in the financial year of 2025/26 for vital life-saving and basic services. 

We are deeply concerned by the deteriorating food security and nutrition situation as evidenced by the recent IPC forecasts. In the context of reducing funding for Afghanistan, we collectively must do everything possible to ensure life-saving assistance is available to the most vulnerable.

And third, the UN process. The UK continues to engage with the UN-led process, including the “Comprehensive Approach.” Strong UN leadership is essential to drive this process forward, and we therefore hope to see the next SRSG at the earliest opportunity.  

However, our support for the Comprehensive Approach depends on the Taliban taking meaningful steps and adhering to their international obligations, especially those related to counter terrorism and the rights of women and girls.

As our Foreign Secretary recently said, ‘there cannot be peace, security or prosperity without women playing their part, free from violence and free from fear’.

That is the principle which must underpin Afghanistan’s future.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Humanitarian General Debate.

Humanitarian needs have reached historic levels: conflict, climate shocks and displacement have left 305 million people in need of life-saving support. 

The United Kingdom is on course to provide over $1 billion in humanitarian assistance this financial year.

Yet, as global needs escalate, overall funding falls short, and protection risks continue to rise. 

Meeting these challenges demands bold and principled action.

First, we need a humanitarian system fit for the future.

The UK strongly supports the Humanitarian Reset and the UN80 initiative. 

Reform must deliver a measurable impact for those most in need.

We are championing prioritised and localised action, supporting UN humanitarian pooled funds, scaling up cash assistance, and empowering local actors. 

This includes funding, capacity building and protection; for example, our support to Sudan’s Mutual Aid Movement, including locally led Emergency Response Rooms – a model for the future of locally driven humanitarian response.

Second, international humanitarian law must be upheld.

This is essential in protecting civilians, ensuring humanitarian access and safeguarding those delivering life-saving assistance. 

Last year saw the highest number of humanitarian personnel deaths, the majority of whom were local staff. This is unacceptable. 

The United Kingdom was proud to co-launch the Political Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel alongside Australia and other partners. 

We also joined the Global IHL Initiative, spearheaded by ICRC, and are co-leading a Workstream on National IHL Committees.

In April, we launched a Conflict, Hunger and IHL Handbook. Yet we must all go further. 

It is appalling that two famines – in Gaza and Sudan – are raging in the 21st century. 

Third, we must invest in prevention and resilience.

Well over 90% of global humanitarian resources go to protracted crises. 

We can and must work across the humanitarian, climate, peace and development systems to build long-term resilience and reduce humanitarian need.

We must also prepare for foreseeable shocks. The UK continues to champion pre-arranged finance.  

Following Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica accessed $242 million from insurance and catastrophe bonds, as well as anticipatory funding from global mechanisms like CERF and the Disaster Response Emergency Fund. 

Demonstrating our support for this approach, this year the UK committed $77 million to pre-arranged finance.

President, we cannot just recommend change, we need to deliver it. 

We must work together to make sure we have the information and data needed to hold us to account and make sure we are delivering to those most in need.

In this regard, we would like to thank Sweden for their facilitation and tireless efforts to maintain consensus on the Humanitarian Omnibus resolution. 

This resolution is the cornerstone humanitarian text, encapsulating Member States expectations for the UN and partners’ humanitarian operations. 

We regret actions have been taken to undermine the text, and we support Sweden’s difficult decision to maintain its integrity.

The UK remains committed to working across the membership to ensure we continue to send a strong, unified message to the humanitarian system at this critical time.