Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 October 2024.

£10 million humanitarian package will support thousands of people who have been displaced and impacted by the conflict.

• the Foreign Secretary continues to work with his counterparts to reduce tensions in the Middle East
• comes as the UK government has chartered more flights to help British nationals leave Lebanon

The UK is boosting its humanitarian support for Lebanon with a further £10 million to respond to the mass displacement of people, as well as the growing number of civilian casualties.

The funding comes as the UK continues to urge all British nationals to leave the country as soon as possible, and for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel. A ceasefire would provide the space necessary to find a political solution in line with Resolution 1701 and enable civilians on both sides to return to their homes.

The aid package responds to serious concerns over a widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare. It will be delivered through trusted humanitarian organisations, who have a long-established presence delivering aid within Lebanon.

The announcement follows the £5 million humanitarian package delivered through UNICEF to support access to clean water and sanitation, health, and nutrition supplies.

The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which the UK is the largest donor to, this week also allocated £7.6 million to respond to the urgent conflict-related needs and displacement in Lebanon.

Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, said:

The human cost of the conflict in Lebanon is clear for all to see. This additional funding from the UK will help to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, providing relief for people displaced by the continuing violence.

This lifesaving aid is vital, but not a long-term solution. The only way to truly address the growing humanitarian crisis is an immediate ceasefire adhered to by both sides.

We continue to urge British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately.

The government yesterday (3 October) announced that it is also chartering more flights to help British nationals leave Lebanon. More than 150 British nationals and dependants left Beirut on a government-chartered flight on Wednesday (2 October).

British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document. Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more than 6 months.

The UK continues to work with partners to increase capacity on commercial flights for British nationals. Around 700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus for contingency planning.

Defence Secretary John Healey travelled to Cyprus yesterday to meet and thank deployed military personnel.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 October 2024.

More than 250 British nationals have left Lebanon on flights chartered by the UK government. Remaining British nationals who want to leave should register immediately or use commercial routes.

The UK has chartered a flight to leave Beirut on Sunday (6 Oct) as tensions in the region escalate.

There are no more scheduled flights, due to a decrease in demand. However, the situation will be kept under constant review.

Any remaining British nationals who want to leave Lebanon are urged to register with the government immediately.

The government has been advising British nationals to leave Lebanon since October last year due to a deteriorating security situation. So far 3 chartered flights organised by the government have left Beirut, with a fourth to leave on Sunday.

The government added the extra capacity due to high demand for places on commercial flights and has enabled more than 250 additional people to leave in the last week.

The government committed to charter flights as long as there was demand and the security situation allows. However, demand has now significantly reduced, and this Sunday’s flight is currently the only one scheduled.

Any British nationals who have not booked a place and still wish to secure a seat on the flight are advised to register immediately.

British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document.

Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more than 6 months.

UK government officials have been working round the clock in London, Beirut and the wider region to provide support to British nationals. An FCDO Rapid Deployment Team has also arrived in Lebanon to bolster the support offered by British Embassy officials.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, so I am glad that we have helped the many people who have heeded our advice to leave the country immediately.

With demand falling, and the security situation deteriorating, there is no guarantee other options to leave quickly will become available. I urge anyone who wants to leave to register now.

Sunday’s flight will depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and British nationals who have registered their presence with the government will be sent details on how to request a seat.

British nationals and their dependants should not travel to the airport unless they have a seat booked on a plane.

The FCDO urges everyone to continue to follow the relevant travel advice, exercise caution, and monitor media in Lebanon for developments.

The safety of British nationals is the top priority and around 700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus for contingency planning.

The UK continues to call for a ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel. A ceasefire would provide the space necessary to find a political solution that enables civilians on both sides to return to their homes in safety.

Background

• British nationals and dependants will be eligible to request a space on the flight. Any non-British dependants will require a visa to enter the UK, granted for a period of stay in the UK of longer than 6 months, in line with usual immigration rules and entry process
• the FCDO launched the register your presence service on Wednesday 25 September 2024
• a limited number of commercial flights are still operating and the FCDO has been working with partners to increase capacity to enable British nationals to leave
• the FCDO has been advising British nationals to leave Lebanon since October 2023

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 October 2024.

UK Statement for Item 9 General Debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you Mr Vice President,

The UK condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. We remain steadfast in our commitment to combatting it, at home and abroad.

We celebrate Black History Month this October in the UK. That is a moment to reflect on the impact of black heritage and culture on our country and our place in the world. It’s a chance to celebrate the enormous contribution of black Britons in all walks of life. It is also a chance for us to acknowledge some of our country’s most painful history.

As in all societies, challenges persist. Ongoing efforts to address racial and ethnic inequalities are essential to ensure better outcomes for all communities.

The UK stands firmly against the scourge of racism and is committed to taking further meaningful action domestically and internationally to shape a better society for all. This includes bringing forward new legislation to tackle persistent racial inequalities. We are dedicated to fostering a society where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or background, can thrive and live a life free from discrimination and intolerance.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

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

I will make four points on behalf of the UK.

First, we express our deepest condolences to the families of the 37 civilians killed in al-Shabaab’s horrific attack on Mogadishu’s Lido beach on the 2nd of August, and of all other civilians killed in Somalia in the recent months. We commend the continued efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia to tackle al-Shabaab.

Second, we thank Somalia and the UN for their consultation on the future of the UNSOM mandate. As we look towards UNSOM’s two-year transition, the UK is working with stakeholders to ensure a gradual, responsible and sustainable drawdown of the mission, including the progressive and phased transfer of the mission’s tasks to the Federal Government of Somalia, the UN Country Team and other stakeholders.

It is essential that during the transition the mission has the resources and capabilities necessary for continued delivery on those areas critical to Somalia’s needs. We thank the SRSG for the continued, constructive execution of his responsibilities.

And as we move into the transition period, the role of SRSG remains vital. We also look forward to working closely with all Council members this month on the transitional mission’s mandate.

Third, we note the upcoming Federal Member State elections. We echo the Secretary General’s call for all stakeholders to work together to resolve differences on electoral modalities and timelines, and we are watching closely the outcomes of the National Consultative Council meeting this week.

I support Ms. Elman’s comments on the importance of an approach inclusive of civil society, women and youth in Somalia’s political and peacebuilding processes.

Fourth, we welcome the continued progress on the planning for the African Union-led successor mission to ATMIS. We underline the importance of the UN and AU consulting broadly, in line with resolution 2748, to ensure the overall mission design and financing options are viable and deliverable. We look forward to next week’s interim update, and the detailed reporting on the 15th of November.

Finally President, I would also like to welcome Somalia and all incoming members as they begin observing Council proceedings this month. We look forward to working closely with Somalia from January on the full range of Security Council business.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Deputy Ambassador Brown condemns Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, which violates the Geneva Conventions.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, colleagues.

This year we commemorated the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Born out of the horrors of the Second World War, they are a recognition that, even in times of hostilities, there must be limits on the suffering that we inflict upon our enemies.

The four Geneva Conventions have been ratified by all of us and, along with the Additional Protocols, serve as the foundation of International Humanitarian Law. Indeed, the fulfilment in good faith of our obligations under international law is the tenth principle from the Helsinki Final Act, the bedrock of this organisation.

It is deeply concerning, therefore, to see a substantial and growing body of evidence demonstrating the disregard Russia has shown for International Humanitarian Law.

Article 13 of the Third Geneva Convention states “Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated.” This week the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published their latest report, which concluded that torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russia is widespread and systematic. They reached this conclusion after interviews with 174 POWs, 97% of whom described experiencing torture or ill-treatment. 68% said they had experienced sexual violence. The report finds it highly unlikely that the authorities were unaware of how prisoners were being treated; it also suggests there is a significant level of coordination between different state entities and widespread knowledge of the use of torture. These findings are consistent with those by other independent international organisations, including the Moscow Mechanism report published in April this year.

Senior Russian officials have even called for the execution of Ukrainian POWs. We are alarmed that, just yesterday, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General reported that Russian troops had allegedly executed sixteen surrendering Ukrainian soldiers near Pokrovsk.

The Fourth Geneva Convention concerns the protection of civilians in times of war. It prohibits unlawful violence to life, cruel treatment and torture, and it places strict legal grounds on the deprivation of a civilian’s liberty. In that Moscow Mechanism report, the panel of independent experts found that Russia had arbitrarily detained thousands of Ukrainian civilians. It also found that civilians had been denied the guarantees that should have been afforded to them under international law and subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The UN’s latest report shows how arbitrary detention and torture of civilians has continued in recent months. We demand that Russia allows independent observers full access to all places where Ukrainian POWs and civilian detainees are held – just as Ukraine does for Russian detainees.

We remain appalled by the ongoing detention of the three staff members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, who have been wrongly imprisoned for more than two years for activities carried out while working for the OSCE. We call again for their immediate release.

Madam Chair, 75 years ago, mankind’s barbarity required us to bolster the laws of war. We must not pass on a similar burden to our successors. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2024.

UK highlights support for the OSCE, governments, and civil society organisations, which work to protect the most vulnerable from the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Thank you Madame Moderator. And thank you to the panellists for their insightful presentations.

The United Kingdom believes that international coordination is critical to tackling trafficking in human beings. Conflict, humanitarian crises, irregular migration, and the devastating impacts of climate change are all contributing to growing numbers of people in modern slavery and subject to human trafficking, with women and children particularly at risk.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has precipitated the largest forced displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War.

Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons continue to face a heightened risk of trafficking.

To better inform the response, the UK has supported analysis by a regional Observatory on Organized Crime. The Observatory’s report on ‘The vulnerable millions’ provided valuable insight into the organised crime patterns, drivers, and risks in Ukraine’s mass displacement.

Building on this, the UK supports the OSCE, governments and civil society organisations with work to protect the most vulnerable from the risks of modern slavery and trafficking.

We have, for example, supported adaptation of awareness materials on the risk of human trafficking into Ukrainian, as well as the development of apps to support and track refugees vulnerable to exploitation on their relocation journeys.

We especially welcome the work of the Special Representative for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings and her Office, as well as the efforts of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, to support states in the region to increase prevention efforts and protection of Ukrainian refugees.

Last year, the UK was also pleased to participate in a workshop delivered by the Special Representative’s Office on reducing trafficking risks for Ukrainian refugees in the UK. The Office shared positive practices and tools to prevent the trafficking of refugees vulnerable to exploitation, and provided relevant UK agencies with recommendations on tailoring responses to reduce those risks.

Finally, the UK continues to strengthen our relationships with partner governments in the region through bilateral agreements – including the Joint Action Plan we have agreed with Romania. This aims to reduce the number of Romanian nationals trafficked and exploited in the UK, as well as to strengthen national responses.

Across the OSCE region, we must do more: both for those forced to flee anew, and for the longer-term displaced. Stopping trafficking before it happens, protecting and assisting victims, and bringing perpetrators to justice.

Beyond the statistics are countless individual stories of tragedy and hardship. Let us continue to work together to end this heinous crime. Thank you Madame Moderator.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Foreign Secretary makes historic visit to Dublin as part of government’s drive to reset relations with Europe.

• UK and Ireland to welcome current and future collaboration on growth and climate, and global issues
• delivering on UK government commitment to reset with Ireland and the EU as a whole, David Lammy visits Ireland alongside Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds
• new chapter of UK-Irish relations focussed on rebuilding bridges and re-establishing trust as international partners.

David Lammy will arrive in Dublin today (3 October), the first Foreign Secretary to do so in over 7 years.

This historic visit will reiterate the government’s commitment to resetting ties with Ireland and Europe and follows the Prime Minister’s visit to Dublin last month where he announced the first UK-Ireland Summit will take place next year.

Ireland is the UK’s closest neighbour, the relationship is built on close economic and cultural connections – from infrastructure and energy markets to family ties, stretching from Limerick to Liverpool. Working with Ireland powers homes, protects people and drives growth.

As part of this government’s ongoing work to reset the UK’s relations with Europe, the Foreign Secretary will hold high level talks with Tánaiste Micheál Martin.

David Lammy and Micheál Martin will seek to ensure the British-Irish partnership can reach its full potential and drive forward a modern foreign and development policy partnership.

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

For too long our relationship with Ireland has not delivered to its full potential – but now, together, we are setting out on a new path.

Ireland is our closest neighbour in many more ways than just geography. Our energy systems, infrastructure, economic markets, culture, sporting pursuits and family trees are deeply intertwined.

Let’s use this unique connection to strengthen our partnership to help both the UK and Ireland forge a more secure and prosperous future.

As a key member of the European Union, a closer friendship with Ireland will ensure the UK’s relationship with the EU can continue to improve – echoing the Prime Minister’s determination to move beyond Brexit, including work towards a security pact and the implementation of the Windsor Framework.

The Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations will also meet the Minister of State for Europe, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, to discuss a number of issues including the reset in the UK’s relationship with the EU, following the Prime Minister’s meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.

Minister for the Constitution and European Union, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said:

As the Prime Minister and President von der Leyen confirmed yesterday, our shared challenges require stronger cooperation between the UK and EU.

I’m delighted to be in Dublin today with the Foreign Secretary to discuss how the UK, Ireland and the EU can start to build the stable, positive and forward-looking relationship we need for long term cooperation.

The reset relationship will also focus on delivering climate-conscious growth for businesses and workers in both the UK and Ireland. This will help to protect the economy, create jobs, and seize the opportunity of the transition.

The Foreign Secretary, a year on since the launch of the 2 Co-Centres for Climate, Biodiversity, Water and for Sustainable Food Systems, will visit Trinity College Dublin to see the work being done to address the climate crisis first hand.

Collectively, the Co-Centres house research for innovation and policy across climate, biodiversity and water challenges. Together the UK and Ireland are deploying the brightest minds to ensure collective, multilateral action on the defining challenge of our times.

Whilst at Trinity, the Foreign Secretary will meet with Mary Robinson – Ireland’s first female President – who now serves as Adjunct Professor for Climate Justice at the College. The Foreign Secretary will hear from Mary Robinson and her colleagues how the UK and Ireland can employ these strategies to tackle the climate crisis.

This follows the Foreign Secretary’s Kew Lecture, where he outlined how action on climate is vital to our security, prosperity and future.

On the world stage, the UK and Ireland share an unbreakable commitment to the UN, to the European Convention on Human Rights, to justice, accountability and the rule of law. Both countries stand together against Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.

The UK and Ireland know how to work together for peace; the Good Friday Agreement is one of the nations’ proudest shared achievements and a cornerstone of modern conflict resolution. The foreign ministers will discuss how the UK and Ireland can work more closely on peacebuilding efforts around the globe.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

UK and Mauritius have reached a historic agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

• UK government agrees a deal with Mauritius today to settle historic sovereignty claims, protect our national security and close a potential illegal migration route
• deal ensures long term secure operation of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, a vital facility for maintaining international security
• agreement protects UK interests and those of international partners, with strong US backing

The UK and Mauritius have reached a historic agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional stability and international security.

For the first time in more than 50 years, the status of the base will be undisputed and legally secure, following a political agreement between the UK and Mauritius.

The agreement underpins the UK’s steadfast duty to keep the country safe, with the operation of the military base unchanged, in an increasingly volatile world.

The previous government started negotiations on the future of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago, but years after the negotiations began issues have remained unresolved.

The agreement is strongly supported by international partners including the United States, which has joint operation of the strategic military base.

Without today’s agreement, the long-term, secure operation of the military base would be under threat, with contested sovereignty and legal challenges – including through various international courts and tribunals.

The agreement demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to safeguarding global security and averting threats to peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and wider Indo-Pacific. It sees Mauritius assume sovereignty over BIOT, with the UK authorised to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius on Diego Garcia.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.

Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.

Diego Garcia has also seen a small number of vulnerable migrants arrive since 2021, subsequently launching asylum claims. The agreement will shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, with Mauritius taking responsibility for any future arrivals.

This week’s political agreement is subject to a treaty and supporting legal instruments being finalised. Both sides have committed to complete this as quickly as possible.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

The governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the UK gave a statement on the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

Joint statement between the governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia:

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland today confirm that they have reached an historic political agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

Following two years of negotiation, this is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law.  Negotiations have been conducted in a constructive and respectful manner, as equal sovereign States, on the basis of international law, and with the intention of resolving all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including those relating to its former inhabitants.

Today’s political agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty and supporting legal instruments, which both sides have committed to complete as quickly as possible. Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. At the same time, both our countries are committed to the need, and will agree in the treaty, to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security.  For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century.

The treaty will address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians.  Mauritius will now be free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago, other than Diego Garcia, and the UK will capitalise a new trust fund, as well as separately provide other support, for the benefit of Chagossians.

It will also herald a new era of economic, security and environmental partnership between our two nations. To enable this partnership the UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius.  This will include an indexed annual payment for the duration of the agreement and the establishment of a transformational infrastructure partnership, underpinned by UK grant funding, to deliver strategic projects generating meaningful change for ordinary Mauritians and boosting economic development across the country.  More broadly, the UK and Mauritius will cooperate on environmental protection, maritime security, combating illegal fishing, irregular migration and drug and people trafficking within the Chagos Archipelago, with the shared objective of securing and protecting one of the world’s most important marine environments.  This will include the establishment of a Mauritian Marine Protected Area.

In resolving all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, the treaty will open a new chapter in our shared history, one which will continue to be based on mutual respect and trust as close Commonwealth partners committed to the security and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region.  In reaching today’s political agreement, we have enjoyed the full support and assistance of our close partners, the United States of America and the Republic of India.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Mr Hugo Shorter has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran in succession to Mr Simon Shercliff CMG OBE. Mr Shorter will take up his appointment in October 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Hugo Benedict Shorter

Year	Role
2022 to 2023	Doha, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, UK Mission to Afghanistan
2019 to 2022	FCDO, Director, Americas and Small Island Developing States
2018 to 2019	FCO, Interim Director, Communications Directorate
2015 to 2018	Beirut, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2012 to 2015	FCO, Head, Europe Directorate (External) and European Correspondent
2007 to 2012	Paris, Counsellor, Europe and Global Issues
2004 to 2007	Brasilia, Deputy Head of Mission
1990 to 2004	FCO roles including UKDel NATO (arms control, European defence); Head of Trade Policy Team, Europe Union Department (External); Private Secretary to the Minister of State; Deputy Head, North East Asia and Pacific Department
1988 to 1990	KPMG; Lovell White Durrant