Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Belgium’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice President,

The UK welcomes Belgium’s efforts to strengthen its national human rights architecture, including the establishment of the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights.

We recommend: 

1.      Strengthening the independence and mandate of the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and setting out clear timelines to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles across all levels of government. 
 

2.      Establishing an effective National Prevention Mechanism, in line with the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, with unrestricted access to all places of deprivation of liberty. 
 

3.      Continuing to ensure that conditions in prisons and in detention comply with international human rights standards, including through access to appropriate healthcare and mental health support, and effective safeguards against inhuman or degrading treatment. 

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

The UK condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which is a direct attack on the security architecture built after the Second World War. Russia has eroded trust, violated OSCE commitments, and undermined the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful dispute resolution.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Tomorrow, as we mark VE Day, we remember the end of a war that devastated a continent and claimed millions of lives. But remembrance is not an exercise in nostalgia. It is a test of whether we have learned the lessons of that catastrophe.

Eighty‑one years ago, Europe resolved that security could not rest on force alone. From the ruins of war emerged a framework grounded on clear commitments: sovereignty, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights. These commitments were designed to prevent conflict and reduce the risk of miscalculation. When respected, they have served Europe for generations.

The OSCE stands squarely within this post‑war inheritance. It exists to uphold fundamental commitments that we made.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is the deadliest conflict on our continent in generations, bringing death and destruction on a scale not witnessed since the Second World War. It represents a direct assault on the principles-based order.

It was Russia that chose force over dialogue; Russia that attempted to redraw borders by violence; and Russia that hollowed out trust within this Organisation. A trust that was built over decades.

It is therefore disingenuous to argue that the breakdown in dialogue is caused by excessive criticism, institutional bias, or other member States’ unwillingness to listen. Nor is frankness the same as “non‑dialogue.” The real issue is not pointing out aggression, but the aggression itself. To use this platform for dialogue, it requires engagement in good faith and respect for the commitments that we have all signed up to.

Mr Chair, Ukraine has repeatedly shown itself as the party of peace. It has consistently expressed readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire that leads to a just and lasting peace, grounded in international law. The UK fully supports President Zelenskyy’s latest call for a ceasefire starting at midnight on 5 May and we urge Russia to end its barbaric attacks and agree to this as the start of a full and lasting ceasefire. In contrast to Ukraine’s serious efforts towards peace, Russia launched another massive air attack and killed at least 17 civilians on Tuesday night.

We unequivocally condemn Russia’s irresponsible threats to strike at the heart of Kyiv and its warnings for diplomatic missions to leave the city. Such threats further demonstrate Russia’s disregard for civilian life and for basic norms that underpin international security. Russia must demonstrate its commitment to peace by agreeing to a ceasefire as a first step towards a full and lasting cessation of hostilities.

Mr Chair, on this year’s VE Day, we should be clear‑eyed. The path back to meaningful dialogue remains open. But to be effective, it requires honesty about the cause and effect, and a willingness to reverse actions that shattered peace in the first place.

The ball remains in Russia’s court. Until it chooses a different path, this Organisation and its participating States must continue to speak plainly in defence of the principles that we forged from the ashes of war – and which remain essential to our collective security today.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

The UK renews £1.6M for Cambodia mine action, marking its fourth decade of support. With this, a total of 1,940,000 square metres of land will be cleared.

• A total of 1,940,000 square metres of land to be cleared of mines and explosive remnants through the renewed funding 
• More than 44,000 people to receive life-saving explosive ordnance risk education 
• Funding supports Cambodia’s progress towards its 2030 mine-clearance obligations 

Thousands of Cambodian farming families will live and work more safely as the UK renews its commitment to mine action in Cambodia, now in its fourth decade of support with an estimated total contribution of £65 million (over USD 85 million). 

This year, the UK Government is renewing a commitment of £1.6 million (USD 2.1 million) for another year of mine clearance and risk education, contributing to increased community safety and enhanced livelihoods. Delivering through leading demining organisations HALO Trust (HALO), Mines Advisory Group (MAG), and APOPO; this funding will help clear mines, enabling the safe return of communities and productive use of land in conflict-affected areas.  MAG and APOPO will continue to further support the local organisations Mlup Baitong and the Cambodian Institute for Research and Rural Development (CIRD), respectively, to deliver post‑land release livelihoods and sequenced agricultural support. 

From 2026 to 2027, HALO and MAG’s total land release target is 890,300 square metres across Battambang, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Pursat, and Koh Kong provinces, directly benefiting 5,414 individuals. This includes landmine, cluster munitions remnants, and other explosive ordnance clearance, contributing to safe and productive land use and improved environmental outcomes. HALO and MAG will provide more than 4,000 Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions through a variety of channels, reaching more than 44,280 people, including over 8,000 women and 12,000 girls. 

The UK is also supporting APOPO and its partner, CIRD to deliver the Minefields to Rice fields (M2R) project, integrating mine action with regenerative agricultural development. From 2026 – 2027, APOPO will release 1,050,000 square metres of land. A minimum of 500 farmer households will benefit directly with a minimum 45% participation of women and 20% youth, alongside an estimated 500 or more additional households benefiting indirectly through seed banks, other project elements, or selected training.  The project is delivered in close partnership with the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA), whose engagement is key to its success. Our collaboration with CMAA helps to strengthen national ownership and ensures that communities are able to benefit sustainably from cleared land in the long-term.  

British Ambassador to Cambodia, Dominic Williams MBE, said: 

The UK and Cambodia share a strong and broad partnership, spanning security, development and shared prosperity. As part of this, the UK has prioritised support for demining for over 30 years, in partnership with the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA), precisely because we believe no community should continue to live in fear of landmines. The scale of the challenge in Cambodia is significant, and continued investment in mine action remains essential to secure safe land, economic recovery and lasting confidence.  

In renewing our funding, we commend Cambodia’s sustained commitment and the brave work of Cambodian deminers in the field. We hope our efforts will support the safe return of displaced people and strengthen protection for border communities at a time of heightened tension. 

This renewed funding will continue to help Cambodians reclaim cleared land, working with Cambodian NGOs to support small business development as well as training in innovative agricultural techniques. It is also crucial in directly supporting Cambodia’s progress towards fulfilling its Article 5 clearance obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention by 31 December 2030, a treaty the UK helped found as one of its original signatories in 1997. 

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA) said: 

Still going strong’ is more than a theme. It reflects four decades of unwavering partnership. The United Kingdom stood with Cambodia when we needed it most, and it continues to stand with us today. For 33 years of cooperation have taken us beyond partnership. Today, Cambodia and the United Kingdom are true friends, united by a shared commitment to humanity and dignity. 

Behind every contribution are lives transformed, a child walking safely to school, a family returning home, a community restored. That is the true measure of mine action.  Cambodia is now in the final chapter of its mine action journey. Our commitment is clear: by 2030, no Cambodian community will live under the threat of explosive remnants of war.

This commitment reflects the UK government’s Plan for Change vision of building international stability and expanding opportunity for communities most affected by conflict. 

Notes to Editors 

• Cambodia is contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) as a result of approximately 30 years of armed conflict, starting with the Cambodian Civil War in 1967 and ending in 1998. 
• According to the Mine Action Review, Cambodia currently has an estimated 524 square kilometres of remaining contamination. 
• The UK has funded mine clearance operations in Cambodia for over 33 years. 
• HALO and MAG are operating under the FCDO’s Global Mine Action Programme 3 Multi-Country Contract. APOPO is delivering the Minefields to Ricefields project, combining mine action and agricultural development to ensure land release and agricultural programming remain tightly coordinated. 
• As one of the founding signatories to the Mine Ban Treaty in 1997, the UK has had a major role in tackling the legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Since the treaty was signed, UK Government aid has made a substantial contribution to the peace and wellbeing of millions of people around the world. 

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 May 2026.

UK Statement at Paraguay’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice President

We welcome Paraguay’s engagement with the UPR process and its acceptance of a majority of the recommendations from the previous cycle. We also recognise Paraguay’s efforts to strengthen national coordination mechanisms to monitor implementation and encourage continued transparency in reporting.

But challenges persist in ensuring effective protection of civic space, equal protection from discrimination, and access to essential services for vulnerable groups. Addressing these challenges will consolidate progress and deliver tangible improvements in human rights on the ground.

We recommend that Paraguay:

1. Reviews and amends legislation and administrative practices to ensure that journalists, human rights defenders and civil society actors can operate free from intimidation or undue restriction, and publishes annual data on investigations and outcomes related to alleged harassment or threats.
2. Adopts and implements comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation to ensure equal protection and effective remedies for all and publishes regular data on enforcement and remedies provided.
3. Sets and implements time‑bound targets to reduce disparities affecting Indigenous and rural communities in access to health and essential services, with progress reported through publicly available national monitoring mechanisms.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Arria meeting on protecting medical care in conflict amid evolving threats.

Ten years ago, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2286, a landmark commitment to protect the wounded and sick, and the medical and humanitarian personnel caring for them during armed conflict. 

The United Kingdom was proud to co-sponsor that resolution. Yet attacks on health care continue to rise. 

The number of medical personnel and patients killed in conflict zones doubled last year, reaching record levels, with Sudan, Myanmar, and Palestine amongst the worst affected. 

We are also deeply concerned by recent attacks on medical staff and facilities in Lebanon. 

This anniversary must be used to consider how we ensure Resolution 2286 delivers real and practical protection on the ground. 

I will make three points.

First, the United Kingdom calls on all parties to conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including in relation to the protection of medical and humanitarian personnel. 

The UK is proud to co-sponsor a workstream under the ICRC’s Global International Humanitarian Law Initiative and to have supported the Australian–led Political Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

Second, all parties to conflict must be held accountable when they fail to comply with international humanitarian law. We underline the importance of transparent and timely investigations when health workers, humanitarian, and medical facilities are harmed. 

States must consider allowing access to independent fact-finding missions, conduct their own investigations, and share findings transparently. 

These steps are essential to ensuring accountability.

Third, as new technologies emerge, they must be developed and used in full compliance with international humanitarian law. 

The growing use of uncrewed aerial systems risks further endangering already fragile operating environments, particularly for civilians and medical workers. 

We have seen the grave consequences of misuse in contexts including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine.

Chair, access to health care is critical to peace and security. 

We must do more to ensure that medical personnel can deliver that care safely, in line with international humanitarian law.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

UK Statement at Estonia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Vice President,

The UK acknowledges the demanding security context facing Estonia, shaped by Russia’s aggression, persistent cyber and hybrid activity, and efforts to weaken democratic trust and societal cohesion. We commend Estonia’s continued leadership in upholding democratic values, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including its proactive approach to countering disinformation and strengthening national resilience.

We welcome Estonia’s continued progress on gender equality and minority inclusion. We also commend Estonia’s principled and sustained support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s aggression.

We recommend that Estonia:

1. Strengthens its response to violence against women and girls, including by progressing consent‑based sexual offences legislation and ensuring accessible, adequately resourced protection, support and justice for victims.
    
2. Continues advancing equality for LGBT+ people by strengthening comprehensive anti‑discrimination protections and improving the prevention, investigation and prosecution of hate speech and hate‑motivated crime.
    
3. Ensures that measures adopted on national security grounds remain consistent with human rights obligations – including freedom of religion or belief, freedom of association and the rule of law – while safeguarding the effective participation of minority communities in democratic and public life.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

UK Statement at Mozambique’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The United Kingdom recognises the government’s commitment to improving its human rights framework and acknowledges the challenges Mozambique faces, including insecurity, humanitarian pressures, and climate‑related impacts.

However, we remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses and disproportionate restrictions on civic and political space. Allegations of intimidation and violence undermine trust in institutions. A safe and open civic and political space is essential to democracy.

We recommend that Mozambique:

1. Strengthens the independence and effectiveness of accountability and oversight mechanisms – including the judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission – to ensure prompt, impartial and transparent investigations of alleged violations, including by security forces.
2. Continues implementing the national legal framework on internal displacement, with particular attention to protection and essential services for children affected by conflict.
3. Prioritises finalising a National Action Plan on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights by the end of 2026.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

UK Statement at Niger’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice-President,

We welcome Niger’s continued engagement with the UPR process.

These include efforts to advance and protect the rights of women and girls, especially in terms of access to essential health services and protection from gender-based violence, as well as steps taken to improve conditions of detention and maintain a moratorium on the death penalty.

We recommend that Niger: 

1. Continues advancing the rights of women and girls by strengthening laws to support survivors of sexual violence, including access to specialist health services, and by further deterring child marriage through the criminalisation of those who enable it.
2. Enshrines the abolition of the death penalty in law, in line with the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, and by continuing the commutation of existing death sentences.
3. Supports continued monitoring of human rights in Niger, including minority rights, by establishing the planned National Observatory for Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties and committing to protecting its independence.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Namibia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President,

The United Kingdom welcomes Namibia’s constitutional commitment to human rights, and encourages continued progress in delivering equal rights and equal access to services for all.

We recommend that Namibia:

1. Expands support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, improves access to justice and data transparency, and increases sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls in rural areas.
2. Establishes referral procedures for trafficking across the country, trains frontline responders, and openly publishes data on identified victims, referrals, investigations, prosecutions and support provided.
3. Promotes LGBT+ equality with anti-discrimination laws, accessible reporting and public data.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 May 2026.

The British Embassy Kyiv invites proposals from non-profit organisations for project work under the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) Ukraine, for the period from 01 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. The ISF Ukraine is building on the past 10 years of the UK goverment’s support to strategic communications in Ukraine.

In the context of the full-scale invasion, the battle in the information environment is more important than ever. That is why we are supporting the Government of Ukraine (Cabinet of Ministers (CMU)) to stand up a refreshed, central Government Communications system. It will put audience insight data at the heart of communications planning, to better deliver policies through effective strategic communications interventions for Government.  

The Government of Ukraine vision of this support is provided in the Annex A, covering gaps in needs and resource requirements. The project proposals should focus on the following (see Annex A for reference): 

• Objective 1. Enhance GoU capacity to collect, analyse and utilise audience-centric research and insight, to inform effective Strategic Communications planning.  
• Objective 2. Support GoU to plan, coordinate and convene communications output across GoU ministries, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Objective 3. Support GoU to deliver effective, data-driven national communications activity through paid-for and earned-media engagement. 

The project proposals should align with the Theory of Change: 

• If GoU have the capacity to commission and analyse audience research, then GoU can design and deliver tailored and effective policy-backed strategic communications interventions targeting key audiences, and counter hybrid information environment-based threats more effectively. 
• If coordination on communications between GoU ministries is enhanced and the strategic communication is delivered through a ‘one voice’, centrally coordinated function, then Ukraine will be in a better position to win the information war. 
• If GoU can develop and deliver data-driven, policy-led communications strategies and interventions, then domestic GoU policy can be better informed and implemented for the public good. 

The project proposals should cover the following outcomes/results (see Annex A for reference): 

• Outcome 1: A Research and Monitoring team, that successfully produces contextual analysis of thematic regular and snap polling, and emerging trends, is established and operates effectively. The Office’s work informs clear recommendations for effective messaging and communications tactics to Strategic Communications planners. This team will also lead evaluation for government communications activity. 
• Outcome 2: A One Voice Communications Team conveying and coordinating proactive and reactive comms planning across GoU ministries and agencies is established and operates effectively. This team will operate based on UK GCS best-practice principles and the processes of this unit will therefore be developed in conjunction with the CMU and the UK’s StratComms Adviser to GoU. 
• Outcome 3: The Government of Ukraine establish and implement policy-led and data-informed Communications Strategies aligned to support the delivery of the Prime Minister’s top policy priorities across owned and earned media activity. 
• Outcome 4: Ukrainian Government Communications frameworks and best practices are developed and adopted, building on UK GCS best practice and adapted to the Ukrainian context. 

Only non-profit organisations are invited to send Proposals. This call for proposals is open for International Organisations (IOs), International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local civil society organisations (CSOs), that can also apply in consortium of few CSOs. Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify the change that will be brought about. All proposals should make clear how they complement existing activities supported by other donors and international partners, and how work in the regions complements national level activity. 

The indicative maximum funding for this project is £1,500,000. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions; indeed, this will be considered a merit. Call for proposals is competitive and only one selected project will receive funding. The Embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection or provide feedback on unsuccessful proposals. 

The British Embassy Kyiv will carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process. 

Call for proposals is competitive and only one selected project will receive funding. The Embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection or provide feedback on unsuccessful proposals. If organisations are not contacted by 31 July, they have been unsuccessful in this round.