Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2024.

UK statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Sudan.

Mr President,

The situation in Sudan is beyond devastating. The Fact-Finding Mission’s report is a harrowing read and makes clear the importance of keeping Sudan on the Human Rights Council’s agenda.

As the High Commissioner said yesterday, over 20,000 are estimated to have been killed and indiscriminate killings have continued unabated.

The Rapid Support Forces have carried out attacks against civilians and perpetrated widespread sexual violence. The fighting has meant famine is now taking hold in many parts of the country. And because of this appalling human rights situation, almost 11 million people have fled their homes – across the country or pouring into neighbouring states.

However, both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces continue to seek a military outcome to this conflict. There is little sign of peace and violations continue relentlessly. Despite recent efforts to open humanitarian corridors, people are desperate for food, medical supplies, and basic services.

Mr President,

The Fact-Finding Mission is the only independent investigative body documenting and reporting these violations. Their work must continue to ensure justice for these victims.

We call on both parties to adhere to their obligations under international law. The Sudanese people are calling for peace, for reconciliation and for accountability. We must work together to answer that call.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2024.

Foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom gave a statement following Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles.

Statement by Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany:

The governments of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom strongly condemn Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles. This is a further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and will see Iranian missiles reaching European soil, increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people. This act is an escalation by both Iran and Russia, and is a direct threat to European security.

The E3 has privately and publicly been clear that we would take new and significant measures against Iran if the transfers took place. We now have confirmation that Iran has made these transfers. We will be taking immediate steps to cancel bilateral air services agreements with Iran. In addition, we will pursue the designations of significant entities and individuals involved with Iran’s ballistic missile programme and the transfer of ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia. We will also work towards imposing sanctions on Iran Air.

The E3 are closely coordinating our strong response to these transfers with our European and international partners. We call on Iran to immediately cease all support to Russia’s war against Ukraine and halt the development and transfers of its ballistic missiles.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2024.

UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan as delivered at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s longstanding commitment to shedding light on the human rights situation in Afghanistan. We are deeply disappointed by the Taliban’s decision to ban him from the country.

We have all watched in horror and sadness as the Taliban restrict the rights of women and girls across every sphere of their lives. The latest vice and virtue edicts are appalling. They extend the already severe restrictions and systematic oppression to which Afghan women and girls have been subjected. As our Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has said, these laws mark another tragic setback for the country.

Mr President, these restrictions are unjust. The sound of a woman’s voice is deemed a moral violation, their bare faces are banned in public, and they are forbidden to look at men to whom they are not related. The impact on women’s wellbeing and livelihoods is unimaginable.

The UK will not stop fighting for the rights of women and girls and will continue to find ways to support them in Afghanistan.

Special Rapporteur,

The Taliban must reverse this edict.

How can we support women and girls in Afghanistan now they are effectively banned from public spaces?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2024.

The UK and US will deepen their commitment to the economic and security relationship when a new Strategic Dialogue opens in London.

• David Lammy welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the UK for first time since becoming Foreign Secretary
• they will open an ambitious UK-US Strategic Dialogue to deliver a deeper special relationship than ever before and strengthen ties that deliver growth and security on both sides of the Atlantic
• it will cover key aspects of the relationship, where we are highly aligned, including support for Ukraine and de-escalation in the Middle East, as well as other global priorities in defence and security and resilient and sustainable growth

The UK and US will deepen their commitment to the economic and security relationship that has made them indispensable allies and trade partners for more than 80 years, when a new Strategic Dialogue opens in London on Tuesday (10 September).

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will host US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to open comprehensive talks where the 2 close allies will explore ways to continue strengthening the special relationship that has delivered security and prosperity since the Second World War.

Talks between the 2 foreign ministers will also cover unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and the UK and US commitment to a long-term peaceful settlement in the Middle East and enabling a two-state solution.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

The UK has no greater friend than America. The special relationship has been cherished on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 80 years, but together we are committed to supercharging our alliance to bring security and growth to Brits and Americans alike.

In a more volatile and insecure world, it is even more important that we are highly aligned nations. Together we are re-energising our economic partnership, working together to tackle insecurity abroad and facing the future in unity and confidence.

This Strategic Dialogue will cover key elements of the UK-US relationship, including defence and security, Europe, Ukraine, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, secure, resilient and sustainable growth and other global priorities.

It will reflect the immense value the UK places on its economic relationship with the US. With the UK and US sharing a $1 trillion investment relationship, a re-energised and enhanced economic partnership presents huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic – supporting the new government’s priority to grow the economy.

The Foreign Secretary and Secretary Blinken previously met during the NATO Summit in Washington DC in July. The 2 sides plan for the Strategic Dialogue to become an annual event to ensure the full benefits of the special relationship are seen in the UK, US and around the world.

The UK and US are equally united in promoting prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and the dialogue will cover their commitment to ensuring regional security through the AUKUS partnership.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2024.

UK government announcement of significant measures against Iran and Russia, following the Iranian regime’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia.

• UK and E3 partners cancel bilateral arrangements with Iran, which will restrict Iran Air services into the UK and Europe
• UK and US announce co-ordinated sanctions against Iranian and Russian individuals and organisations
• Russian cargo ships sanctioned for their role in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia
• response taken in co-ordination with international partners to expose Iran and Russia’s attempts to undermine global security

The UK government is today announcing new and significant measures against Iran and Russia, following the Iranian regime’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

In coordination with our international partners, the UK will cancel its bilateral air services arrangements with Iran, which will restrict Iran Air’s ability to fly in to the UK.

This follows repeated warnings from the UK and international partners calling on Iran to cease its planned transfer of the deadly weapons to Russia, whose intent is to cause further humanitarian devastation and loss of life in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to fuel its illegal invasion of Ukraine is a significant and dangerous escalation.

We have been clear in that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response. Today, alongside our international partners, we are calling out this behaviour and its attempts to undermine global security.

Iran must stop supporting Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Together with France and Germany, the UK has today also issued a joint statement condemning the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia and outlined the necessary steps being taken in response.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

This government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine.

We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to put pressure on Iran to end its support for Putin’s illegal invasion, which is why we have begun the termination of all direct air services between the UK and Iran.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

By transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, Iran is actively supporting Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Iran has already supplied Russia with hundreds of one-way attack drones. Ballistic missiles are highly dangerous weapons, likely to threaten innocent lives.

Resorting to collaboration with countries such as North Korea & Iran shows the desperate situation Russia is in. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Alongside the US, the UK is sanctioning a number of key individuals and organisations for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support to Russia, including those involved in ballistic missile and drone supply chains. Those subject to an asset freeze and travel ban include:

• Brigadier General Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, Director General for International Relations of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL): linked to Iran’s exports of defence products to its partners
• Second Brigadier General Ali Jafarabadi, head of the Space Command of the IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC-ASF): oversees Iran’s testing of space launch vehicles which has supported the development of Iran’s long-range ballistic missile arsenal
• Majid Mousavi, Deputy Commander of the IRGC-ASF and Deputy to the IRGC-ASF Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh: oversees the development and operation of Iran’s inventory of ballistic missiles

Those subject to an asset freeze include:

• The Anzali Free Trade Industrial Zone Organisation (Anzali FTZ)
• Baharestan Kish Company
• Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif (SSFS)
• Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia (CSFA)

Several Russian organisations are also sanctioned today for their intent to use the weapons systems to bring destruction to Ukraine. These include:

• The 924th State Centre for Unmanned Aviation
• The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS)
• Command of the Military Transport Aviation (VTA)

Five Russian cargo ships are also sanctioned today for their role in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia. These include:

• SKIF-V (IMO 8858087)
• OMSKIY (IMO 8889385)
• MUSA JALIL (IMO 8846814)
• BEGEY (IMO 8943210)
• BALTIYSKIY (IMO 7612448)

To date, the UK has more than 400 sanctions designations in place on Iranian individuals and entities, including those that seek to use malign influence regionally and internationally. The UK has also sanctioned 2,000 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, with over 1,700 of which sanctioned since Putin’s full-scale invasion.

Iran is one of Russia’s key military backers and has transferred hundreds of drones to Russia for use in its war of aggression in Ukraine since August 2022.

New legislation is also being laid in Parliament later this week to strengthen trade sanctions on Iran, targeting items that are used in the production of ballistic missiles, UAVs and other weaponry.

The UK will continue to work with international partners to hold Iran to account for its malign behaviour, including for its military support to Russia, and to hold Russia to account for its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Colleagues, over two and half years since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine it is the Ukrainian people who continue to bear the terrible consequences of Russia’s aggression.

14 million Ukrainians are already in need of humanitarian assistance.

Rather than end this suffering, Russia has chosen to sharply increase its attacks on schools and hospitals in recent months.

This Council met in July to discuss the particularly shocking damage caused by a Russian missile strike on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital. Since then, the situation has only got worse. The UN reports that Russian attacks have led to 184 civilian casualties in the last month, in cities and towns across the country.

And Russia continues to target key energy facilities across the country. Over 100 attacks since March, have caused extended power cuts affecting millions of people. To be clear, direct attacks on civilian infrastructure constitute a war crime.

This must end.

This constant bombardment, and Russia’s aggression along the frontline and in Ukrainian territory, is also complicating the humanitarian response.

As reported by OCHA on World Humanitarian Day, Ukraine is now one of the most dangerous contexts in the world for aid workers. There were over 225 incidents that directly impacted humanitarian operations last year, averaging four a week.

The systemic denial of humanitarian access also means we cannot verify the full scale of violations and abuses being committed against Ukrainian civilians.

The UK calls on Russia to comply with all its obligations under International Humanitarian Law, to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and to cease targeting infrastructure that provides the essential needs for Ukraine’s population.

Until Russia ends its aggression, Ukraine has the right to defend itself, under Article 51 of the UN Charter. And in defending itself, Ukraine is defending us all.

Ukrainians are risking their lives day in, day out to stand up for the values at the heart of this very institution – the UN – and the right of all our countries to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mr President, the UK remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine. We’ve committed £12.7bn of support so far, including vital lethal aid, crucial humanitarian assistance and funding for energy supplies. We will continue to support Ukraine in the face of this appalling aggression.

We reiterate once again our call for Russia to end this brutal war, to withdraw from Ukrainian territory, and to uphold its commitments under the UN Charter.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 September 2024.

Core Group statement on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Delivered by the UK at the 57th Human Rights Council.

Thank you Mr President,

This statement is on behalf of  Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

High Commissioner,

We welcome your report on Sri Lanka.

We share your concern about the impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms of several new or proposed laws. All legislation, including that relating to counter terrorism, online safety, and civil society must align with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations.

Civil society, journalists and  impacted  communities face sustained surveillance and harassment. We also are concerned about reports of arbitrary arrests and torture. We reiterate the need to promote and protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including during memorialisation events.

While we welcome the return of some military-held land to civilian control, we stress the importance of addressing land disputes in the north and east, which exacerbate inter-communal tensions and impact the ability of communities to freely practice their faith.

As Sri Lanka approaches elections we urge the government to re-engage with the Human Rights Council process; to build a conducive environment for meaningful reconciliations and transitional justice; and to ensure mechanisms are independent, inclusive, transparent, and address the priorities of affected communities.

We remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing these concerns.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 September 2024.

UK Statement for the Interactive dialogue on the report of OHCHR on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

Thank you, Mr President.

High Commissioner,

The United Kingdom welcomes your report and shares your concern at the human rights trends that it highlights.

Fifteen years since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, there has been little to no accountability for conflict-era violations and abuses. The whereabouts of thousands of people who have disappeared in Sri Lanka remain unknown, causing ongoing anguish for their families. A comprehensive transitional justice process that carries the support of affected communities is more pressing than ever.

We call for independent investigations into the violations highlighted in your report, including all reports of abductions, arbitrary detentions, torture, and enforced disappearances. The human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Sri Lankans must be respected.

We remain concerned by the harassment of civil society, victim communities, and journalists, which undermines their vital role in national reconciliation and building a peaceful society in the future.

We hope that following presidential and parliamentary elections, the government prioritises improving human rights including through building confidence and transitional justice processes. These should be impartial, independent, inclusive, transparent, and offer meaningful accountability.

The United Kingdom stands ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing these challenges.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 September 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate on strengthening UN Peacekeeping.

Thank you President. I thank our briefers, USG Lacroix, Dr Ero and Mr Al Hussein, for their insight and continued support to UN peacekeeping. Let me also thank the brave peacekeepers who put their lives at risk across the world every day, and pay tribute to those peacekeepers who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace this year.

President, UN peacekeeping is an indispensable element of the UN Security Council’s toolbox for global peace and security, and an important symbol of global cooperation. As peacekeeping faces new and systemic challenges, as we’ve heard, we must protect, and improve, this tool for the future. I would like to make three broad points this morning.

First, peacekeeping faces evolving challenges. These include the challenges of maintaining the relationship with host states and the importance of setting clear expectations on host state responsibilities.

This should reduce the risk of accelerated withdrawals of missions as we’ve seen recently. In addition, rising misinformation and disinformation against missions puts the safety and security of our peacekeepers at risk.

Peacekeeping needs stronger partnership and collaboration, as well as political support and consent, from host nations to ensure the effective delivery of mandates and well-planned transitions.

Second, we should continue to adapt our approach to meet unique needs of each context. Peacekeeping works best when there is a political process to support or a peace to keep. New missions should be better tailored, more nimble and flexible, with focused, realistic mandates.

We must continue to strengthen missions by boosting peacekeeping intelligence, situational awareness, embracing new technologies such as AI, and tackling sexual exploitation and abuse. We must all reaffirm our commitment to the Action for Peacekeeping Strategy and support its implementation.

Sustainable transitions, guided by best practice and lessons learned and which safeguard the protection of civilians, will also help ensure that the gains from missions are preserved.

Third, we should recognise the progress made on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and commit to all peace operations being fully representative and safe for women. Women’s contributions are integral in all stages of peacekeeping missions, including drawdowns, transitions and withdrawals.

The United Kingdom will continue to help create an enabling environment for women peacekeepers through our support to the Elsie Initiative Fund, the Senior Women Talent Pipeline, and through our bilateral training by the British Peace Support Team.

President, the UK remains a committed supporter of UN peacekeeping, including through deployment of peacekeepers and military advisers and of peacekeeping reform.

We look forward to more discussions, including at the Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin and its Preparatory Conferences, on the ways we can help peacekeeping evolve to ensure it can effectively respond to the challenges of the future.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 September 2024.

The Media Freedom Coalition gave a statement on media freedom in Hong Kong following the guilty verdict against two former editors of Stand News.

Following the guilty verdict against two former editors of Stand News on 29 August 2024, the members of the Media Freedom Coalition issued the following statement on media freedom in Hong Kong.

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition are gravely concerned about the guilty verdict against the former editors of Stand News and the wider suppression of media freedom in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Journalism is not a crime. Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam have been prosecuted for over two and a half years. Their guilty verdict falls against a wider backdrop of increased media self-censorship and the hostility by Hong Kong authorities against local and foreign journalists and their representative bodies, especially since the imposition of the National Security Law in June 2020. The introduction of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in March 2024 is further hampering the free exchange of opinions and information which is vital to Hong Kongers, Hong Kong’s institutions, and its international reputation as an open place to do business.

Media freedom has been a central factor for Hong Kong’s success in the past and is an essential foundation of a free and inclusive society. To enable media workers to safely fulfil their legitimate role in scrutinising government policy and actions, journalism should not be prosecuted under the guise of national security.

We urge the Hong Kong and China authorities to abide by their international human rights commitments and legal obligations, and to respect freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Hong Kong, in line with the Basic Law and the recommendations of China’s 2024 Universal Periodic Review and Hong Kong’s 2022 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights review.

Signed by:

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States.