Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2025.

UK Closing Statement for the 58th HRC. Delivered in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK remains fully committed to implementing the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. In respect of the resolution L.7 on the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, the UK notes that States take different approaches, appropriate to the constitutions of their country, to implement the Covenant. The Covenant binds the UK in international law but is unincorporated. Unincorporated treaties are not justiciable domestically so UK courts would not normally contribute to identifying gaps in legislation in respect of Covenant rights. The UK continues to progressively realise the rights recognised in the Covenant through a combination of legislation and administrative measures, in accordance with Article 2 (1) of the Covenant.

The UK also notes that Article 2 (1) of the Covenant accommodates different States’ resources through the progressive realisation of Covenant rights. International human rights law does not, however, accommodate the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is a concept set out in certain international environmental treaties. Any attempt to imply that concept forms part of international human rights law, in resolution L.26 Rev.1 on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, is a mischaracterisation of the law. The UK recognises that the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. The UK remains committed to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), the Paris Agreement, and to accelerating action in this critical decade on the basis of the best available science, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

The UK thanks for the core groups for their constructive engagement on both resolutions.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2025.

Mr Greg Houston has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Panama in succession to Mr James Dauris.  Mr Houston will take up his appointment during July 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Greg Houston

Year	Role
2022 to present	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Deputy Director and Head of Migration Department
2020 to 2022	FCDO, Deputy Head North America Department
2017 to 2020	Bogotá, Deputy Head of Mission
2013 to 2017	Rome, Political Counsellor
2011 to 2013	Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), Head of EU Strategy
2007 to 2011	UK Representation to the EU in Brussels, First Secretary, EU Budget
2006 to 2007	UK Representation to the EU in Brussels, Second Secretary, EU Customs
2005 to 2006	Brussels, European Commission, Intern
2005	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 April 2025.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, express deep concern about China’s provocative actions, particularly the recent large-scale military drills around Taiwan.

These increasingly frequent and destabilizing activities are raising cross-Strait tensions and put at risk global security and prosperity.

G7 members and the larger international community have an interest in the preservation of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion.

G7 members continue to encourage the peaceful resolution of issues through constructive cross-Strait dialogue.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2025.

UK now providing up to £25 million for vital humanitarian assistance.

• The UK has bolstered its support to Myanmar earthquake, allocating a further £10 million to the ongoing humanitarian response
• This brings the UK total to up to £25 million of support, including up to £5 million to match donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal and £10 million announced on 29 March
• UK-funded supplies are already reaching areas devastated by the quake, helping over 15,000 people so far

Lifesaving support for those directly affected by the severe earthquake in Myanmar will now go even further, with the UK now providing up to £25 million for vital humanitarian assistance.

The increase is the result of an additional £10million of UK funding directed towards the humanitarian response.

It comes as UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, this afternoon (4 April) visited the offices of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in London, to hear about the realities of delivering aid to the most vulnerable across Myanmar.

The UK has already pledged to aid match every pound donated by the British public to the DEC appeal, up to £5million.

UK funds, delivered through partners on the ground, are already helping to provide immediate support to the most vulnerable areas and people, including first aid, emergency and trauma care and primary healthcare, food, water, shelter and hygiene kits. The additional £10 million directed to the response will provide a further boost to these efforts, saving lives and supporting livelihoods across Myanmar. No UK support goes to the Myanmar regime.

Catherine West, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, said:

Even before this earthquake struck, Myanmar was already facing one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises after four years of conflict.

It is right that we step up to help. The rapid UK response means lifesaving supplies are already reaching those worst-affected by the quake – and new funding will enable partners on the ground to reach even more people in need.

We thank the British public who continue to generously support the Myanmar people through the DEC appeal.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with a network of specialist partner organisations to deliver targeted support on the ground. This means UK support is able to reach those most in need, despite the challenges of operating in Myanmar.

The UK government has a strong track record of providing humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, with total UK support since the 2021 military coup standing at over £170 million. Our modern approach to aid not only supports some of the world’s most vulnerable people but also helps address global challenges from health to migration, ultimately contributing to the UK’s security and prosperity.

In addition to humanitarian assistance, the FCDO continues to provide consular assistance to British nationals in both Myanmar and Thailand, which was also affected by last week’s earthquake.

Notes to editors

Funding the UK has committed to the Myanmar earthquake response includes:

• An initial package of up to £10m to support the emergency response;
• £5m to match donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee public appeal for Myanmar, launched Thursday 3 April;
• A further £10m funding directed for humanitarian assistance, announced today.

UK humanitarian support for Myanmar’s citizens will not support Myanmar’s military regime.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2025.

Stephen Doughty, Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, gave these welcome remarks by video to the second Pall Mall Process Conference in Paris.

Good afternoon everyone, I’m sorry I can’t join you in person, but I am delighted to join my good friend, Minister Delegate Haddad, in participating virtually.

And I’m hugely grateful to France for hosting this conference – testament to our strong friendship and commitment to global security, which we are demonstrating in so many ways at the present time.

And I am glad that this is bringing together so many experts from government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Your diverse perspectives are crucial in tackling a major challenge of our time – the proliferation and irresponsible use of cyber intrusion capabilities.

In this dangerous era of contest and competition, cyber threats are testing our security and resolve on a daily basis.

Of course, new technologies bring vast opportunities for security, prosperity, and democracy.

Yet, they also make us more vulnerable to criminals, hackers, and reckless hostile states. And intrusive tools are becoming cheaper and more accessible.

While these tools play a vital role in protecting our national and cyber security, they also bring significant challenges, as you all know.

It is easier than ever for those who do not share our values to target human rights defenders, politicians, and journalists, among many others.

We have also seen reckless attacks on our governments, our parliaments and critical infrastructure – from banks and power grids to hospitals and defence systems.

And that’s why I’m so pleased you will be working together to address these threats and get the balance right.

Since the first Pall Mall Process meeting last year, we’ve made real progress.

So today, I’m proud to announce a major step forward – the formal launch of our new Code of Practice for governments.

This bold package of commitments will help us to regulate the market, mitigating against harms that hacking tools can cause.

And this will be good for us as States – making it easier to protect national security while ensuring a stable cyberspace.

And it will be good for the industry too. By providing a clear view of what responsible activity looks like, we can make it easier for legitimate companies to operate in the right way.

But this commitment must translate into action.

Over the coming days, we must focus on how to put these measures into practice, track progress, and hold ourselves accountable.

This is how we can protect our citizens and ensure that cyberspace remains free, open, peaceful, and secure.

I wish you all the best for your discussions and I very much look forward to hearing the outcomes.

Merci beaucoup, thank you very much.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2025.

Mr John Marshall has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Togo in succession to Ms Catherine Brooker who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Marshall will take up his appointment during June 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: John Marshall

Year	Role
2023 to present	Guinea, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2021 to 2022	Brussels, Temporary Assignment
2016 to 2021	Luxembourg, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2011 to 2015	Dakar, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Senegal and Her Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde
2007 to 2011	Addis Ababa, Deputy Head of Mission
2004 to 2006	FCO, Deputy Head, Sustainable Development and Commonwealth Group
2003 to 2004	FCO, Head, Caribbean Team
2000 to 2003	Kuala Lumpur, Head of Political, Economic and Public Diplomacy
1997 to 1999	FCO, Head of Political Section, United Nations Department
1995 to 1997	FCO, Head of India, Nepal and Bhutan Section, South Asian Department
1992 to 1995	Tokyo, 2nd Secretary Economic/Political
1988	Joined Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2025.

Ambassador Holland says the UK is closely monitoring the situation in Turkey.

Thank you, Mr Chair.  We are closely monitoring the situation in Türkiye. This is an ongoing domestic Turkish legal process, and the UK expects Türkiye to uphold its international commitments and the rule of law, including swift and transparent judicial processes.

We have raised recent events with the Turkish Government and the Foreign Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister Fidan to raise the UK’s concern.

The UK is a staunch supporter of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the world and will always support the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and media freedom.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2025.

UK Core Group Statement to Introduce Item 4 Resolution on the Syrian Arab Republic. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Mr President,

I have the honour to present draft resolution L.25 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, on behalf of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UK.

Mr President,

For 14 years this Council has stood with the people of Syria.

As the Assad regime brought despair, death and destruction to its own population this Council did not stay silent.

In 2011, when the former regime unleashed brutal violence against peaceful protesters, this Council condemned it. When the regime began a campaign of executions, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture, this Council established a Commission of Inquiry to bear independent witness to these atrocities.

The Commission has rigorously documented the truth about the savagery of the last 14 years: the use of chemical weapons, sieges, and systematic torture and sexual violence intended to break the spirit of the Syrian people.

But the Syrian people would not be broken, would not be defeated.

And so, we present this draft resolution today, 4 months after the end of the Assad regime, and just days after the historic formation of a new Syrian Government, as reflected in revisions to the text.

We present this at a time of hope in Syria. Hope for peace. Hope for healing. Hope for reconciliation. And hope, finally, for Syrian-led, and Syrian-owned, justice and accountability.

As Foreign Minister al-Shaibani said to this Council: justice in Syria is not a matter of political bargaining – it is a fundamental commitment we must uphold to ensure accountability and to combat impunity.

This draft resolution seeks to support this commitment whilst recognising the many challenges facing the new Government.

Indeed, disturbing reports of mass killings of civilians in Syria’s coastal regions will have brought grief afresh to those who have suffered long enough, and are a chilling reminder of the deep wounds the years of conflict have inflicted.

We support the Syrian Government in setting out a path for accountability, that does justice to the victims and survivors, and which helps bring a peaceful future for all Syrians. And which brings truth to the families of the many thousands who remain missing.  It is crucial that Syrian mechanisms are independent, impartial, prompt, and transparent. International bodies stand ready to support this process.

I thank all those who have engaged constructively on this resolution. In particular, I welcome the Syrian delegation’s active participation and vocal support for the Council’s efforts.

Let us adopt this resolution today. To renew the Commission of Inquiry, to maintain its independent reporting, to support the Syrian Government, and to stand in solidarity once again with the people of Syria.

They have waited too long for this moment. It is time for justice, for accountability and for human rights.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the escalating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

I’d like to thank High Commissioner Volker Türk and Dr. Younes Al-Khatib for your sobering briefings.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Red Crescent medics and other humanitarians who were killed while bravely working to save lives in Gaza.

Their deaths are an outrage and we expect this incident to be investigated fully, transparently and for those responsible held to account.

Gaza remains the most dangerous place for humanitarians in the world.

If Israel does not respect deconfliction notifications from aid workers, to allow them to operate without coming under attack, there will be more appalling deaths like these ones. Aid workers should not have to risk their lives to help those in need.

So we urge Israel to cooperate with the UN fact-finding mission into the hit on a UN compound on 19 March, conduct thorough investigations into all incidents involving aid workers and medical personnel, and ensure accountability for those responsible.

President, I have three points to make.
First, the UK reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, including Avinatan Or, Yossi Sharabi and Shay Levinson, who have links to the UK. And we are clear Hamas must be held accountable for their despicable actions.

But the UK strongly opposes Israel’s decision to resume and expand its military operations in Gaza. Since operations restarted over 1000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including at least 322 children. And civilians are being compressed into ever-smaller areas.

Further fighting and bloodshed is in nobody’s interest and takes us further away from a deal to get the hostages home.

Second, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is horrific and there is reportedly less than a week of food left for distribution in Gaza. We urge Israel to reinstate the flow of humanitarian aid immediately.

Blocking supplies and electricity from entering Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law.

The UK is deeply concerned that the UN and humanitarian organisations have been forced to reduce operations in Gaza because it is so unsafe. Without their life-saving work, even more Palestinians will suffer.

Third, the UK condemns remarks by Defence Minister Katz on the annexation of land in Gaza. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians or reduction in the territory of Gaza.

This would only further drive instability and undermine security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

And we condemn recent Israeli decisions to accelerate the establishment of settlements and outposts in the West Bank.

President, in conclusion, the lesson we have learnt time and again in this Council, is that diplomacy, not violence, is the only way to bring lasting peace.

We urge the parties to return to a ceasefire, to end appalling loss of life, bring the hostages home and make credible efforts towards a two-state solution.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2025.

Ambassador Holland updates on UK and partners’ efforts to fight against Organised Immigration Crime and the protection of our collective border security.

Thank you Chair.

I would like to update the Council on the Organised Immigration Crime Summit convened by the UK in London earlier this week. The Summit brought together a range of partners, countries and international organisations in the global fight against Organised Immigration Crime and the protection of our collective border security.

The threat from Organised Immigration Crime is increasing in scale and complexity, spanning multiple countries, nationalities, and criminal methodologies. Criminal gangs are now using sophisticated online tactics to lure potential customers. They are abusing legitimate supply chains, and they are using criminal financial networks to facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys which put thousands of lives at risk each year.

This is a global threat, with no respect for national borders. Without firm action, organised crime groups will continue to profit at the expense of vulnerable migrants and international security.

We must strengthen global cooperation, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent further loss of life.

No single country can tackle these criminal gangs alone. Only a coordinated international response, across the whole irregular migration route, can effectively dismantle these networks.  Disrupting criminal financial flows, particularly the cross-border movement of illicit cash and commodities, requires all countries to work together across supply chains.

This event engaged both European nations and key source and transit countries, ensuring a broader, more comprehensive approach to tackling Organised Immigration Crime. It delivered across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and North America by strengthening international partnerships, enhancing intelligence-sharing, and implementing targeted disruptions to crime networks.

Through effective partnerships and shared international commitments, we can deliver change. Together, we can dismantle the online advertising and recruitment networks used by criminal gangs, target the financial enablers of irregular migration through operational disruption and promote an integrated approach to better understanding the scale of Organised Immigration Crime financial flows.

I look forward to next week’s Security Committee meeting on irregular migration which I hope can consider the OSCE’s role on this issue. Tackling irregular migration, and specifically, people smuggling, requires a united, determined, sustained and sustainable, effort. Together, we can drive meaningful action, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all.

Thank you.