Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN General Assembly debate on the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism in Syria.

Thank you Assistant Secretary-General Robert Petit for the briefing and the debate today.

Let me also welcome Foreign Minister Al Shaibani to the Assembly. Your presence here today is a powerful signal of the opportunities that lie ahead for Syria to carve out a more secure, peaceful and prosperous future.

I will make three points today.

First, we welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime.

This includes the formation of a new Syrian Government and their commitment to hold free and fair elections in Syria.

We also welcome the important steps taken since December towards social cohesion amongst the Syrian people.

This includes the first-ever consensus on the Human Rights Council resolution supported by the Syrian Government, and commitments by the Syrian Government to establish national committees to address transitional justice, missing persons and chemical weapons.

However, as the horrific events in the coastal areas in March remind us, significant challenges remain to address the legacy of 14 years of war and brutality, and to begin the process to provide closure to all those affected.

Second, we commend the IIIM for the valuable progress it has made since December on the international pursuit for accountability.

The volume of documentation and witness interviews that the IIIM team have collated is a testament to your tireless dedication to provide a credible evidence base for future prosecutions.

The appointment of an IIIM Liaison Officer in Damascus is also a promising example of UN-Syria cooperation, and we urge all parties to work collaboratively to ensure that survivors receive the justice that they demand, and that they deserve.

Third, the UK had a leading role in supporting international and civil society accountability efforts during the Assad regime.

And we remain committed to pursuing accountability for victims, survivors and families in Syria, and for that reason, we continue to see the IIIM as a crucial component for the future Syrian-led Transitional Justice processes.

We were proud to have co-sponsored the UNGA resolution which established this mechanism in 2016 and remain committed to ensuring that it has the political backing and operational remit it requires to succeed.

And this year, the United Kingdom has allocated a further $940,000 in funding to our partners in support of this effective evidence collection and preservation.

We thank IIIM for your contribution to the fight against impunity and for amplifying the voices of survivors throughout your work.

The UK will continue to support the Syrian Government and its people in their efforts on reconciliation and accountability to ensure a stable and prosperous future for the people of Syria.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Lao PDR’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice President.

The United Kingdom welcomes the Lao PDR’s engagement with UN human rights mechanisms and its efforts to address human rights challenges. We are pleased with the inclusion of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in Laos’ action plans.

However, the UK remains concerned over restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and religion. We are also concerned by limited land rights for vulnerable communities and the worsening issue of human trafficking linked to serious organised crime.

We urge the Government to act on these issues and uphold its international obligations. In particular, we recommend that Laos;

1. Takes immediate steps to protect and promote civic space, ensuring that all individuals can freely exercise their rights without fear of reprisal.
2. Ensures that development projects respect the rights of affected communities, including noting the principle of free, prior and informed consent.
3. Implements its international obligations under the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children and to collaborate with regional and international partners to address this issue.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 29 April 2025.

Joint statement by the co-chairs of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and the European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, 29 April 2025 :

The United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) today held a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee in London. The Joint Committee co-chairs took note of the state of play of the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement since the last meeting on 16 May 2024, renewing the EU and UK’s shared commitment to the full, timely, and faithful implementation of the Agreement in all its parts.

The co-chairs reiterated that citizens’ rights are a key joint priority. In that spirit, the co-chairs warmly welcomed the legislative step taken by the UK Government relating to legal clarity for EU citizens with status under the EU Settlement Scheme and look forward to its practical application. They highlighted the importance of ensuring a smooth transition for citizens from temporary to permanent residence over the course of the next two years. The co-chairs agreed to further strengthen their ongoing cooperation on all citizens’ rights issues to ensure that all citizens who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement can fully enjoy their rights now and in the future.

The co-chairs recalled the importance they attach to the full, timely, and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework for the benefit of people and businesses in Northern Ireland, while continuing to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and ensuring the protection of the EU Single Market, to which Northern Ireland has a unique access, and the integrity of the UK’s Internal Market.

They noted the considerable work undertaken to date in the implementation of the Windsor Framework, having delivered benefits across areas, including on agri-foods, trade, VAT and excise, and engagement with stakeholders. They recalled specifically that, since the last Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, the arrangements for human medicines had started applying effective from 1 January 2025. At the meeting today, they also completed important work on safeguards allowing new customs facilitations on parcels and freight to take effect on 1 May 2025.

They reiterated their unwavering commitment to stepping up the work for the full delivery of safeguards underpinning the facilitations, in particular in the agri-food area.

The co-chairs welcomed the Joint Committee newly adopted decisions on the implementation of the Windsor Framework. Finally, they adopted the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Annual Report for the year 2024.

The co-chairs agreed to continue working in a spirit of mutual trust and remain in very close contact to achieve full delivery of the Withdrawal Agreement and to strengthen bilateral relations in view of the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

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

Thank you, Madame Vice President.

We thank the Guinean delegation for setting out its efforts to protect human rights. And we welcome the steps taken to return to constitutional order. Presidential elections must be held by the end of 2025, as committed to by President Doumbouya.

Guinea must also take urgent action to tackle corruption in the judiciary and public administration, ensuring that international standards are upheld.

Freedom of expression and media freedom are vital. We urge the Government to decriminalise peaceful demonstration and lift the ban on mainstream private media. This will, in turn, strengthen legal protection for journalists, the media and civil society.

Steps should also be taken to tackle all forms of discrimination and inequality including against minority groups.

We recommend that Guinea:

Ensure electoral processes in 2025 are credible, including during September’s referendum on the constitution; and local, legislative and presidential elections

Promote freedom of expression by decriminalising defamation, lifting the ban on private media channels and allowing peaceful public demonstrations.

Take urgent action to tackle corruption in the judiciary and public administration, upholding due process in line with international standards.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Since Russia’s invasion over three years ago, this Council has met many times to discuss the death, destruction and misery Russia unleashed on Ukrainians.

It has displaced over three and a half million people within the country, and almost seven million have sought refuge abroad leaving over a third of the population in dire need of humanitarian help.

And its consequences have been felt far beyond Ukraine too, sending food and energy prices soaring which has hit the most vulnerable around the world the hardest.

We welcome the US’s efforts to end this war, yet it is impossible not to reflect on the sheer scale of the crisis – including the shocking attack on Kryvyi Rih in which 20 people were killed earlier this month.

Nine children lost their lives that day, and the UN reported that this was the largest number of children killed in a single strike since the start of the invasion.

Civilian casualties have increased by 50% since February and over 10,000 missiles and drones have been fired into Ukraine since the start of the war.

Such brutality has, sadly, continued – from the revolting strike in Sumy on Palm Sunday to the missiles raining upon Kharkiv and Kyiv, we do not need more evidence to prove that Putin is not serious about peace.

Putin’s latest announcement for a temporary ceasefire, yet again, rings hollow.

We need only look to the 30-hour pause in fighting over Easter as an example, during which there was no indication that a ceasefire on the frontline was observed.

President, I think we can all see through this pretence.

Russia must declare a ceasefire now.

Not in a day, not in a week. Ukraine stands ready to go the whole way – a durable and full ceasefire – right now.

So why wait? Why only for 72 hours?

If Putin were truly serious, he would agree today to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, just as Ukraine has done – not simply announce a short pause from May 8th.

But Putin chooses not to.

Compare that to Ukraine, which agreed to the US ceasefire proposal over 40 days ago.

Make no mistake – the United Kingdom’s commitment to peace is clear.

As is the United Kingdom’s commitment to stand by Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

Together, with our allies and partners, we must continue to work with Ukraine and speak up with one voice in Ukraine’s support.

Because that remains the best way of achieving a just and sustainable end to Putin’s selfish war.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2025.

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

The human cost on October 7th was horrific. And since that day, the hostages have endured unimaginable cruelty, and Palestinians have faced relentless death and destruction.

We welcome President Abbas’s call for the hostages to be released, and we echo that call. We also need a return to the ceasefire to end the terrible bloodshed.

We are deeply concerned by the World Food Programme’s announcement on Friday that its food stocks in Gaza have run out.

It is unacceptable that Israel has blocked humanitarian support from entering Gaza for nearly two months, meaning that Palestinian civilians, including one million children, are facing starvation, disease and death.

UN and other workers must be able to deliver life-saving assistance safely, and in line with humanitarian principles.

We are outraged by recent attacks, including the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the hit on a UN compound on 19th March. Israel has admitted that this was caused by one of their tanks, despite the compound being known to the IDF as a UN humanitarian facility.

This is inexcusable.

We urge Israel to ensure accurate public statements on such grave incidents. It must conduct full and transparent investigations into these incidents, hold those responsible to account and reinstate an effective deconfliction system to prevent such tragedies.

President, the UK believes that lasting peace and security can only be achieved through a two-state solution.

And we thank France and Saudi Arabia for their leadership in preparing for the conference in June. We should build on the Arab plan for Gaza’s future and develop credible security and governance plans acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas must no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel and we should build the capability of the Palestinian Authority, which will be central to a future State.

Finally, we must seize the opportunity to build lasting peace across the region. There has been important progress in Lebanon, where the government has committed to crucial reforms, and in Syria, with moves towards an inclusive political transition.

The United Kingdom will continue to support the Lebanese and Syrian people to build on this momentum and we urge all parties to avoid destabilising actions and abide by their international obligations.

President, a better future in the Middle East is possible.

To realise it, we must return to a ceasefire in Gaza, reinvest in efforts to achieve a two-state solution and pursue wider normalisation of relationships for the benefit of Palestinians, Israelis, and all those living in the region. I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 April 2025.

The Youth Mobility Scheme allows 500 visas, both for Uruguayan and British nationals, to live, study, work and travel in the UK and Uruguay respectively.

In 2025, 500 British and 500 Uruguayan nationals aged 18 to 30 years old will be able to experience life and culture in each other’s country for up to 2 years, as established in the agreement that came into effect in both countries on 31 January 2024.

Uruguayan citizens who would like to travel to the UK under this scheme need to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa. British citizens who would like to travel to Uruguay should apply for a Working Holiday temporary residency.

The scheme desires to foster close relations between British and Uruguayan nationals, intending to promote and facilitate access to opportunities that enable youth to gain a better understanding of the other participant’s culture, society, and languages through travel, work, and life experience abroad.

This is the first YMS between the UK and a South American Country. The agreement was signed in August 2023 at the Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the visit of FCDO Minister for the Americas and Caribbean David Rutley MP to Uruguay.

UK has YMS agreements in place with Andorra, Australia, Canada, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Taiwan and Uruguay.

Uruguay has Working Holiday programmes with Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

Find below information about the scheme and how to apply, for British and Uruguayan nationals.

Information for British nationals

British citizens interested in applying for a Working Holiday temporary residency must attend the Uruguayan Consulate in London and submit the following documents:

• valid passport in good condition, with an expiry date at least one year in the future
• a medical certificate from the country of residence where it states that you do not have medical conditions that would make it impossible for you to reside in Uruguay
• evidence of a Police Certificate from the country of origin and from any country that you have lived in for the past 5 years. This should be apostilled or legalised, whichever is appropriate. In the UK you can apply for this at: http://www.gov.uk/copy-of-police-records. The six must have been issued within the 6 months prior to the filing of the application
• documents that demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to meet their needs (such as salary payslips, bank statements, pensions, etc.) issued within 30 days of the application date
• declaration of the intended time they will remain in Uruguay, which will be up to 2 years
• apostille or legalised birth certificate (whichever is the case, if the person was born outside the UK) and translated (by a certified Uruguayan translator, by Consul or by consular intervention, depending on the case) will be required in Uruguay in order to obtain the Uruguayan National Identity card

Once the documentation is submitted, the Consulate will inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Migration Direction, which will notify the National Migration Office. A decision will be made within a maximum of 15 working days.

If the application is successful, the Consulate will let you will know. You will then need to enter Uruguay within 180 days from the notification day. If you need a visa, the Consulate will issue a tourist visa without consulting with the National Migration Office, referring to the temporary residency granted.

Once you are in Uruguay, you will need to go in person to the National Migration Office and the National Civil Identification Office to apply for the National Identity card and pay the required fees. If youneed more information, please contact the Uruguayan Consulate or Uruguayan Embassy: cdlondres@mrree.gub.uy or urureinounido@mree.gub.uy, or call: +44 (0)207 584 4200

Information for Uruguayan nationals:

• applications to the Youth Mobility Scheme are online. You can apply from any country in the world, except from the UK
• you can apply if you are a Uruguayan National aged 18-30 years old and hold a Uruguayan passport
• you can spend up to 2 years in the UK, with multiple entries
• you can work but it is not compulsory. You can travel, study short courses or volunteer
• you do not need any language, job or skill requirements
• you must apply for a visa and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge
• you need to demonstrate you have the equivalent to £2,530 in a bank account for at least the past 28 days before applying
• you need to get a Criminal Record Certificate. Please request it for Consulate- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not the British Embassy
• you cannot apply if you have any dependants living with you or who are financially dependent on you at the time of application
• you must not have not previously taken part in the scheme

Applicants will usually get a decision on their visa within 3 weeks.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 April 2025.

UK Statement on Kiribati, delivered at Kiribati’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President,

The United Kingdom warmly welcomes the delegation. We recognise the Government of Kiribati’s positive engagement with this process and progress made since the last Universal Periodic Review. The United Kingdom commends ambitious reforms to social protection systems, including support provided to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

We urge the Government to enhance efforts to address the high levels of gender-based violence, advance work to end discrimination, and guarantee the protection of all individuals.

We recommend that Kiribati:

1. Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
2. Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
3. Renew efforts to enshrine protection from discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation; and to decriminalise consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex within the Constitution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 April 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council briefing by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

I want to start by underlining our wholehearted support for UNHCR and High Commissioner Grandi’s passionate leadership. You have steered the organisation through a decade of global change.

A decade of increasing conflict, climate shocks and instability.

All these factors continue to push people from their homes, driving displacement ever higher.

In the world today, over 123 million people are forcibly displaced.

In the face of such challenges, we must focus on solutions.

I will highlight three that are priority areas for the UK.

First, we will continue to do all we can to tackle the root causes of displacement, including war, instability, and repression.

We will work at all levels, including through this Council to protect the rules-based international system and promote peace.

We will work with international partners to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking, which exploits vulnerable people for financial gain.

Just this month, the UK led a successful Border-Security Summit, where we secured agreements between participating countries, to drive efforts to disrupt organised immigration crime and save lives.

Second, we will seek solutions to regional and country-specific crises.

Many of which, from Ukraine to the Middle East, are the focus of this Council.

This month, the UK hosted a conference on Sudan with humanitarian and political objectives, including support for an end to the conflict and easing the impact on the region and we were grateful for the participation of Commissioner Grandi along with other parts of the UN leadership.

In Cox’s Bazar, we have funded UNHCR to support refugees’ access to healthcare, clean water and hygiene.

We will continue to advocate for safe, dignified and sustainable solutions for refugees, including at the UN Rohingya Conference in September.

And third, we continue to push for innovative approaches to addressing displacement.

We support the High Commissioner’s Sustainable Responses Initiative, which supports refugee inclusion and self-reliance, and ownership of solutions by host countries.

We look forward to the Global Compact for Refugees meeting in December – a key moment to review progress on pledges we made in 2023, to deliver better outcomes for displaced people and host communities.

And we encourage others to join and sustain our collective efforts to achieve the Compact’s goals.

In conclusion, President, to reverse the growing trend of displacement, we need to focus on solutions to the causes we have all discussed today.

The UK is committed to working with UNHCR and other international partners and institutions to achieve this.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 April 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at Kyrgyzstan’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Let me welcome the Minister and his delegation, and salute his government’s efforts to implement the recommendations from its last review. Not least, we commend its efforts on gender equality and welcome their constructive role on this Council.

Let me also urge his Government to uphold its obligations under the ICCPR and the commitments accepted at its last review.

We recommend that the Kyrgyz Republic:

1. Ensure the treatment of NGOS is in line with international human rights obligations, and that it removes regulations for NGOS to provide information not stipulated by the ‘Law on Non-Commercial Organisations’.
2. Maintain the National Centre for the Prevention of Torture as an independent and separate National Preventative Mechanism and provide adequate resources to the Centre to continue to effectively carry out its mandate.
3. Adhere to the principles enshrined in the Kyrgyz Constitution by amending the Code of Offences to decriminalise defamation and insult, and instead use civil litigation in line with international human rights obligations.

Thank you, Mr President.