Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

UK provides a voluntary report to the OSCE’s Human Dimension Committee on domestic efforts to tackle antisemitism.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Could I express a belated thank you to today’s speakers for their insights on addressing intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Forums such as this are essential for sharing practical experiences and strengthening our collective response. While this is not a new challenge, it is one that is particularly acute today. Regrettably, just last week, there was an appalling incident in Edinburgh, which appears to have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. All forms of religious and racial hatred are completely abhorrent and have no place in our society. No one should be targeted because of their faith or the colour of their skin.

Dear colleagues, I would like to use this opportunity to provide an update on the UK’s domestic efforts to tackle antisemitism. Across the OSCE region, we are witnessing a worrying rise in antisemitism, alongside other forms of hatred and intolerance. Recent attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions in the UK have underlined both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of action.

The UK Government treats antisemitism as a national challenge and a test of our values. It is recognised clearly as racism – anti‑Jewish hatred – and our approach is one of zero tolerance. We are using the full force of the state to protect Jewish communities and confront this hatred wherever it appears.

Our approach is guided by three priorities: protecting communities, enforcing the law, and addressing root causes.

First, on protection. The safety of Jewish communities is a core responsibility of the state. The UK has committed record levels of funding for protective security at Jewish schools, synagogues and community sites, including an additional package this year to strengthen local security, policing and preventative measures. We have increased visible police patrols, expanded specialist deployments, and invested further in counter‑terrorism capabilities. Our objective is that British Jews are not only safe, but feel safe.

Second, on enforcement and deterrence. Antisemitic abuse and violence are criminal acts. Those responsible will be held accountable in our courts. At the same time, we are strengthening powers to prevent extremist actors from spreading hatred – by restricting entry to the UK, tackling harmful online content, and addressing malign foreign state activity. Institutions are also being held to account: universities, public bodies, and publicly funded organisations are expected to act decisively and transparently to confront antisemitism.

Third, on prevention. We are addressing the drivers of antisemitism across society. This includes targeted work in schools, universities and public institutions, backed by dedicated funding for education and awareness on antisemitism. Holocaust education remains central, ensuring that future generations understand the consequences of hatred. We are also implementing a broader national cohesion and counter‑extremism approach, recognising that antisemitism must be tackled alongside other forms of extremist ideology.

These domestic measures are underpinned by our international commitments. The UK was the first country to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, and we support the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism.

Earlier this year, our Foreign Secretary announced the appointment of Jon Pearce MP as the UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues. His appointment not only demonstrates the UK’s continued leadership and dedication to Holocaust remembrance, education, and research, but also represents our unwavering commitment to the protection of the Jewish community in the UK and abroad, championing UK policy and supporting the fight against the scourge of antisemitism.

Colleagues, we must also address the external factors that fuel antisemitism. In an attempt to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has distorted Holocaust memory and misused historically loaded language. This cynical weaponisation of history dishonours the victims of the Holocaust, undermines truth, and contributes to a climate in which antisemitism can flourish. We strongly condemn it.

In conclusion, the UK is determined to confront antisemitism in all its forms. Antisemitism is not only a threat to Jewish communities; it is a threat to our societies as a whole. Addressing it is a shared responsibility.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 June 2026.

Norwegian Ambassador Ellen Svendsen delivers a joint statement on behalf of six countries marking the 2026 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and my own country Norway.

On 19 June we marked the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. We pay tribute to survivors and to those around the world working tirelessly to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.

Mr Chair, the global picture remains deeply concerning. Recent UN reporting has shown a sharp rise in verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence, marked by increasing brutality which disproportionately affects women and girls, while continuing to impact men and boys.

Such violence is not incidental to conflict. It is used deliberately as a tactic of war, terror, and repression, with devastating consequences for individuals, communities, and long-term stability.

These trends are compounded by shrinking humanitarian access, reduced funding for survivor services, and persistent stigma that prevents reporting and denies justice. Escalating and protracted conflicts continue to create conditions in which the risks of sexual violence grow.

Mr Chair, in Ukraine, UN reporting, successive Moscow Mechanism reports, ODIHR Interim Reports and other independent monitoring continues to document conflict-related sexual violence linked to Russia’s ongoing aggression, including in detention settings where it has been used as a form of torture and ill-treatment. Survivors include women, men, and detainees subjected to serious abuses. These cases underscore the use of sexual violence to intimidate, punish, and extract information, and highlight the urgent need for accountability and survivor support.

Sexual violence in conflict is a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, and a threat to international peace and security. It must stop. Perpetrators must be brought to justice. Survivors must be supported.

We emphasise the importance of a survivor-centred approach in all prevention and response efforts. This means placing the safety, dignity, rights and needs of survivors at the heart of action, ensuring access to justice, protection, and essential services, including psychosocial support.

Efforts to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence should also fully address the needs of children affected, including child survivors, children born of such violence and those affected indirectly. Children experience conflict-related sexual violence in distinct ways, and responses must be child-sensitive, survivor-centred and integrated into existing systems. Addressing their needs is essential to breaking cycles of violence, stigma and exclusion.

Accountability is central. Without justice, there is no deterrence. Without accountability, cycles of violence continue. We must strengthen national and international mechanisms to investigate and prosecute these crimes, and ensure that survivors have access to redress and reparations.

The OSCE has a vital role to play. Its comprehensive approach to security, its field operations, and its autonomous institutions contribute to prevention, monitoring, and accountability efforts. The OSCE’s work on gender equality and on combating sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict remains essential, and should continue to be prioritised by participating States.

Mr Chair, addressing conflict-related sexual violence must form part of broader international efforts: to uphold the Women, Peace and Security agenda; to tackle gender inequality and discrimination; and to ensure the meaningful participation of women in peace processes and decision-making at all levels.

As we mark this International Day, we reaffirm our collective responsibility. We must act together through multilateral cooperation to prevent these crimes, to support survivors, and to end impunity.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 June 2026.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford underlines support for Montenegro’s Euro Atlantic path and progress in strengthening democratic institutions, and welcomes and the Mission’s work supporting the government’s national strategic objectives ahead of the transition to national ownership of functions by the end of 2027.

Thank you, Ambassador Haukaas, for your report, and for the work of your team over the last year.

The United Kingdom continues to strongly support Montenegro’s Euro Atlantic path. Montenegro is a valued partner and Ally of the UK. Its sustained commitment to regional stability, constructive diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation continues to make a positive contribution to security across the Western Balkans. We also welcome Montenegro’s principled stance in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The United Kingdom also welcomes the progress Montenegro has made in strengthening its democratic institutions and advancing reforms – particularly in strengthening the rule of law, enhancing judicial independence, and tackling corruption. We also value Montenegro’s openness to partnership and dialogue – including with civil society – critical to ensuring reforms are inclusive and enduring. The UK will continue to work with the government of Montenegro in support of these efforts.

In this context, we welcome the Mission’s work supporting the government’s national strategic objectives, in line with the Mission’s mandate and OSCE commitments and principles. The Mission’s priorities fit well with the UK’s own engagement supporting Montenegro’s reform agenda and broader regional stability.

We particularly support the Mission’s focus on: strengthening the functioning and transparency of Montenegro’s parliament; supporting the authorities in tackling serious and organised crime and corruption; and supporting media freedom and the safety of journalists. All these activities contribute to strengthening Montenegro’s democratic resilience, underlining the tangible value of the Mission’s work and its alignment with Montenegro’s reform priorities.

We see Montenegro’s request to transition to national ownership of OSCE functions by the end of 2027 as a positive reflection of the progress Montenegro has made in recent years, and a sign of the government’s commitment to driving forward and sustaining momentum on reforms. It is also an indication of the success of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, and the exemplary support it has provided, over the last 20 years. We look forward to engaging with the government, OSCE Mission, Secretariat and autonomous institutions to ensure a smooth and well-prepared transition to new forms of OSCE engagement with and support for Montenegro.

In closing, the United Kingdom reiterates its strong support for Montenegro’s reform trajectory. We wish the Mission every success in its work over the next 12 months.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 June 2026.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announces a new support package at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk.

• New UK support for Ukraine’s recovery and energy security in the face of Putin’s war  
• UK continues to bear down on Kremlin having sanctioned over 3,400 Russia-linked targets, while supporting Ukraine’s long-term prosperity  
• UK’s total commitment to meeting Ukraine’s non-military needs now stands at £5.6 billion since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion

The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced a new package worth almost £290 million to bolster Ukraine’s recovery and energy security as she attends the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland. 

Yvette Cooper will make clear the United Kingdom’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine not only in its ongoing battle in the face of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, but in ensuring it has the strength to rebuild for the future for the benefit of the UK and Ukraine. Ukraine’s security is vital to the UK’s own and supporting Ukraine today means a thriving partner for the UK in the future.

Today’s package will help strengthen Ukraine’s energy security through the signing of a £210 million deal for UK-based Urenco to provide nuclear fuel to Ukraine’s national power company Energoatom, to help Ukraine resist Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure and keep the lights on. The deal will also boost the British economy, as Urenco employs more than 650 people in the UK and its Chester site supports more than 4,500 jobs around the UK in the wider supply chain. 

Funding will also support new schemes to modernise Ukraine’s justice system, to help build systems that hold the perpetrators of heinous war crimes to account, speed up court proceedings and tackle corruption to improve fairness and transparency.  

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: 

“The UK stands firmly with Ukraine, not only in its fight for freedom today, but in ensuring it has the strength to rebuild for the future – that is essential for the long-term deterrence of Russian aggression. 

“A just and lasting peace is urgent and non-negotiable. But Ukraine needs long-term support both to get through the conflict and to rebuild in future. That is why at this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference, we are announcing a multi-million pound package to power Ukraine’s homes and critical infrastructure, back its businesses and drive improvements in education and justice. 

“This crucial investment will ensure the UK is also in close partnership with Ukraine as they look towards future growth, involving British and Ukrainian businesses and delivering long-term benefits for both our economies.”    

Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy said: 

“An enduring peace in Ukraine will not be secured through military support alone, but through our collective commitment to rebuilding communities, strengthening institutions and deepening joint action. 

“Ukraine’s battlefield victories must be bolstered by support to rebuild. The UK stands together with Ukraine as true partners for freedom – helping drive record investment, support recovery and ensure the Ukrainian people can look to the future with security and hope.” 

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: 

“The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine – and that means backing Ukraine’s recovery just as firmly as its defence. Today we are securing Ukraine’s energy supply, and helping to support Ukraine’s economy in the face of brutal Russian aggression.

“Ukraine’s security is our security, and our ironclad support will boost both our economies and give them the financial firepower to grow back stronger.”

British International Investment will also deliver up to £65 million for renewable energy and the banking sector in Ukraine, alongside the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The new investments will see the construction of two new wind farms and provide much-needed backing for Ukraine’s businesses through the Bank of Lviv.  

British companies will play a vital role in reconstruction projects across Ukraine, including the future modernisation of Lviv Airport as well as schools in Vinnytsia Oblast through the Project Development Programme, which is set to receive £1 million additional UK funding. 

The announcement comes as the UK continues to intensify pressure on those sustaining Putin’s illegal war, after the Prime Minister announced a major sanctions package targeting the vessels, finances and individuals enabling Russia’s aggression at the G7 last week. British forces also recently intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel, in a significant blow to the Kremlin’s war effort.  

The UK’s support for Ukraine is reinforced by its close partnership with Poland, a vital security partner and a frontline state in Europe’s response to Russian aggression. Poland plays a crucial role in ensuring Ukraine gets the military and defence equipment it needs for the frontline, by processing 90% of allied-funded material before it crosses the border. Following the conference, the Foreign Secretary will visit the Miecznik frigate programme, where British and Polish defence industries are working together to strengthen Poland’s naval capabilities through a contract worth around £3 billion, supporting jobs and growth in both countries.   

The breakdown of bilateral assistance funding announced today includes: 

• Up to £13 million to support British International Investment’s intention to commit to the EU Flagship Fund; 
• Up to £12 million for a new governance programme, including:  
• Up to £2.4 million for an EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI); and 
• £1 million to support judicial reforms; 
• Up to £763,000 to continue support for Ukraine’s Green Transition Office. 

 Alongside the bilateral allocation, the UK will announce a series of measures to support Ukraine’s long-term economic growth. These include: 

• New British International Investment investments of up to £65 million, utilising existing UK ODA funding to co-finance projects that will expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises through the Bank of Lviv and support the construction of two new wind farms; 
• Up to £200,000 to expand support for Ukraine’s critical minerals sector through British Geological Survey expertise to improve geological data, strengthen standards and attract investment; 
• Up to £1 million for the second year of the Project Development Programme, helping British companies participate in the early-stage planning of reconstruction projects across Ukraine. This builds on successful first-phase projects, including feasibility studies for the future expansion of Lviv Airport and the modernisation of schools in Vinnytsia Oblast; and 
• A new Memorandum of Understanding between UK Export Finance and Ukraine’s export credit agency to strengthen institutional capacity, share expertise and support the growth of Ukraine’s private sector and exports.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 June 2026.

Deputy Leader of the House of Lords Lord Collins spoke during the 56th regular session of the OAS general assembly in Panama City, Panama.

Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Ministers, Delegates, Friends.

On behalf of the United Kingdom, I would like to thank our hosts, Panama, for convening this Assembly.

The UK values its partnerships across the Americas – shaped by history and the many personal connections between our peoples today. This forum plays an important role in strengthening cooperation on the issues that affect us all and we will continue to contribute to solutions to shared problems in the constructive and respectful spirit on which the OAS was founded.

I will turn now to the topic of this discussion, the Falkland Islands.

The United Kingdom’s position has been clear and consistent for many years. The question of the Falkland Islands must be considered in light of the wishes of the people who live there. The Islanders have the right to determine their own political future, and they have expressed that choice clearly and democratically. With some tracing their roots back more than 10 generations, the Islanders have nowhere else they call home. Like many in the Americas, their ancestors journeyed to those Islands in past centuries to seek a better life, and shaped the Islands into the thriving and prosperous society they are today.

The people of the Falkland Islands have built a stable, self-governing community with strong democratic institutions. Their elected representatives take decisions on matters that affect their daily lives, reflecting the priorities and values of the local population. This is a community that is confident in its identity and clear about its future.

This principle is fundamental. The right of self-determination is a cornerstone of the international system and applies to all peoples. It is essential to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the rules-based international order.

Calls for discussions on sovereignty do not alter this reality. Any approach to this issue must respect the principle that the Islanders’ wishes come first. Without their consent, there can be no change to their status. Their wishes have been made clear – the 2013 referendum with a 99.8% vote on a 92% turnout to remain in the British family, and no subsequent election has questioned that decision. There can be no negotiation without the agreement and participation of the Falkland Islanders themselves.

The UK strongly supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit. The decision to pursue hydrocarbon development was a democratic choice by the people of the Falkland Islands alone, and it is for the Falkland Islands Government to pursue production alongside the commercial companies involved. This is an integral part of the Islanders’ right of self- determination.

I would like to emphasise that UK forces in the South Atlantic are entirely defensive. We regularly review our force levels so that they are at the minimum level appropriate to ensure the defence of the Falkland Islands against any potential threat.

None of this changes the UK’s desire to maintain a respectful and fruitful bilateral relationship with Argentina; nor our commitment to constructive engagement in the South Atlantic. We will continue to support practical cooperation where it serves shared interests, including in areas such as environmental stewardship and sustainable economic activity.

Colleagues, this is ultimately a question of the foundational principles of the international system. A population has exercised its democratic rights and made its position known. Respecting that choice is both a legal obligation and a reflection of the values that underpin this Assembly.

The United Kingdom will continue to uphold that principle and encourages others to do the same.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 June 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Discrimination against Women and Girls. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

The UK is committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls in all their diversity – including through tackling discrimination. The Foreign Secretary has placed women and girls globally at the heart of the UK’s foreign policy and is committed to championing their ability to live in a world free from violence and discrimination.

Women and girls are disproportionately targeted by AI-enabled harms, including deepfakes and online abuse at scale. The lack of safety-by-design in AI is intensifying technology-facilitated gender-based violence, with real-world impacts on safety, participation, and wellbeing.

States should adopt a human rights based approach to AI, with gender equality at its core. 

Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) is a major international development programme, co-funded by the UK, Canada and Sweden, that aims to ensure AI works for inclusive, safe and equitable development outcomes in the Global South. Through AI4D Africa, the UK has supported women-led AI research and strengthened the pipeline of female AI leaders. 

Madam Vice President,

How can Member States work with the UN to ensure that protection from discrimination is embedded in the design of AI systems?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 June 2026.

Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Children in Armed Conflict.

First, the scale of grave violations and abuses against children in armed conflict remains deeply shocking.

The 9,465 grave violations against children, attributed to Israeli armed and security forces, are utterly unacceptable, as are the grave violations against Israeli children. 

The impact of the conflict in Gaza on children is a moral outrage. 

It is also deeply concerning that hundreds of Palestinian children remain in Israeli detention, many reportedly without charge, for months.

In Sudan, millions of children are displaced, out of school, and facing violence amid a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

In Ukraine, Russia continues its attacks against civilians, including children, against critical infrastructure, and refuses to return over 20,000 forcibly deported Ukrainian children.

We call on all parties to cease grave violations against children and to comply fully with their obligations under international law.

Second, protecting education is critical. 

Attacks on schools deny children their right to education and expose them to heightened risks, including recruitment and exploitation.

The United Kingdom is proud to support Education Cannot Wait and the Global Partnership for Education, providing millions of children with critical education and psychosocial support.

We call on all parties to refrain from deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on schools and to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration. 

And we call on those who have yet to endorse it to do so.

Third, tackling sexual violence against children in conflict, which disproportionately affects girls, is essential. 

From South Sudan, to DRC, to Haiti, sexual violence is being used as a tactic of war alongside other grave violations.

This causes children long-term physical and psychosocial harm. 

The United Kingdom will continue to champion the rights of child survivors, child witnesses, and children born of rape in war. 

Improving prevention and protection of children from sexual violence is critical, as is delivering survivor-centred responses. 

Perpetrators of sexual violence should be held to account.

Madam President, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in our commitment to the Children and Armed Conflict mandate.

We call on all listed parties to engage constructively with the United Nations and the Special Representative to agree and implement action plans in order to end and prevent further grave violations against children.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 June 2026.

The UK will support Gazan students to take up places at British universities and continue efforts to medically evacuate critically ill children for treatment in the NHS.

• Government supports high-achieving students from Gaza to take up scholarships at UK universities
• Government is facilitating new evacuations for critically ill children needing specialist NHS care
• announcement is part of the UK Government’s sustained response to provide immediate support amidst the humanitarian catastrophe and support the rebuilding of Palestinian society

Young people in Gaza whose education has been disrupted by conflict will be supported to study safely at top UK universities. 

The Foreign Secretary has outlined in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament today that a group of high-achieving students holding fully funded scholarships and meeting the Immigration Rules will be helped to leave Gaza to continue their studies in the UK.

They build on more than 100 fully funded scholarship students that government supported to come to the UK this academic year, ensuring talented young people and adults can continue their education. 

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  

The UK must continue to support students and injured children from Palestine.

Talented young people from across Gaza must not be denied their chance to study because of the horrendous conditions and restrictions they still face. We will continue to run special arrangements to help Chevening scholars and other students with places at world-class UK universities to support the next generation of Palestinian leaders. We’re also helping some of the most vulnerable children to leave Gaza and get expert medical attention in the NHS, building on similar evacuations we facilitated last year.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with continued restrictions on aid flows, unsanitary conditions and inadequate access to medical care. Hospitals are destroyed or only partially functioning, and over 1000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire was announced. New international energy is urgently needed to revive the 20-point peace plan and pursue a two-state solution which delivers stability and peace to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The group includes a number of Chevening Scholars. This prestigious programme, funded by the Foreign Office, awards scholarships for fully-funded Masters studies to individuals with leadership potential, helping to secure the future of the next generation of Palestinian leaders. 

The statement also outlined new evacuations of critically ill children, with immediate family members, in need of specialist medical support available in the UK following a pause due to the regional conflict. 

The humanitarian situation remains dire in Gaza, with many people in urgent need of medical care. Most hospitals in Gaza are no longer fully functioning after nearly 3 years of war and many key supplies remain scarce.  

In 2025 a cross-government taskforce supported 50 sick and injured children to leave Gaza with their immediate family members and receive specialist treatment in NHS hospitals across the UK.  

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:  

Behind every place is a person whose education has been put on hold by this appalling conflict. 

This Government is acting to help students from Gaza return to learning in safety and stability. Restoring not just education, but dignity and opportunity. 

Education is a lifeline. It restores hope, unlocks potential, and builds the foundations for the future.  We will continue to stand with those whose futures have been disrupted and do everything we can to help them rebuild.

The UK has worked with the World Health Organization to identify patients in urgent need and match them with specialist treatment in the UK. 

The government continues to press Israel to allow those who need urgent medical care to leave Gaza temporarily for treatment. 

All those arriving in the UK will undergo security checks and provide biometric information ahead of travel. 

Background

• universities with eligible students will be contacted with further guidance on next steps. Due to the complexity of the situation, timelines remain uncertain and cannot be guaranteed
• the Government will also support the evacuation of eligible dependants of some students in line with the Immigration Rules
• full eligibility criteria will be published in due course

Health Secretary and Social Care Secretary James Murray said:

No one can fail to be distressed by the devastating impact the war has had on the children of Gaza. Every child deserves the chance to heal, to play, to simply be able to dream again. 

These young patients have witnessed horrors no child should ever see, but this marks the start of their journey towards recovery, and reflects the very best of our NHS values – compassion, care and expertise.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

This country proudly provides safe harbour to those in need. 

I am proud the Government is giving medical support and a new life to children suffering in Gaza. 

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 June 2026.

Ankur Narayan, Counsellor for Politico-Military Affairs at the UK Delegation to the OSCE highlights verified evidence of Russia’s violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, including rising civilian casualties, crimes against children, and the use of sexual violence, and calls for Russia’s withdrawal, accountability, and the return of deported Ukrainian children.

Mr Chair, during the last meeting of this Forum, on 10 June, the representative of the Russian Federation said that, in the context of civilian casualties, there are “gaps in the knowledge of International Humanitarian Law” of other States. We agree that civilian casualties are a tragedy.  We agree that IHL is an important issue.

That is why my statement will focus on both issues today. The OSCE’s Code of Conduct compels every participating State to ensure their armed forces abide by international law. I will highlight three elements: civilian casualties; the treatment of children; and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. I will only cite independently-verified, internationally-respected sources.

Firstly, on civilian casualties. Last week, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission confirmed that May 2026 was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022: at least 274 killed and 1,763 injured — a 93 per cent increase on May 2025. Long-range missiles and drones accounted for 45 per cent of May’s casualties, falling overwhelmingly on urban centres such as Kyiv and Dnipro, far from the front line. Along the front line itself, short-range drones killed and injured more civilians in May than in any month since the full-scale invasion began. International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks, including those which are expected to cause excessive civilian harm in relation to the anticipated military advantage.

Secondly, on the treatment of children. On 12 March the OHCHR’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that Russian authorities have committed two distinct crimes against humanity against Ukrainian children — deportation and forcible transfer, and enforced disappearance. The Commission has verified that at least 1,205 children were taken from their homes. Four years on, 80 per cent have not been returned – instead they have been placed across 21 regions of Russia and the temporarily occupied territories. The Commission reported that it was “a policy conceived and executed under the leadership at the highest level of the Russian Federation state apparatus”. International humanitarian law affords children special protection in times of armed conflict. This includes protection from their forcible transfer or deportation from occupied territory.

Thirdly, on sexual violence. ODIHR’s Eighth Interim Report sets out the conflict-related sexual violence committed in areas under Russian control, the arbitrary detention of civilians, and the use of children in hostilities. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has separately documented the widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian authorities. This includes the use of sexual violence. International humanitarian law protects civilians from violence and exploitation. It also requires that all prisoners of war are treated humanely in all circumstances.

Mr Chair, the UN, ODIHR and other international organisations continue to catalogue irrefutable independent evidence of Russia violating international law and international humanitarian law. As per the Code, such breaches are a “direct and legitimate” concern for us all and we must act in solidarity with the affected State. The United Kingdom once again calls on Russia to withdraw fully from Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders, to return every deported child, and to engage with independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of international human rights law.

Thank you Mr Chair.