Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 July 2025.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford condemns the grave violations Russian armed forces and authorities have committed against children in Ukraine, including through attacks on schools and hospitals.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr Chair.  I would also like to thank the speakers for their insights on the important and emotive topic we are dealing with today.

The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world.  More grave violations against children were verified by the UN than ever before in 2024, and instances of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children increased by 35% compared to 2023.

Regrettably, Madam Chair, our own region has not been immune from this trend.  Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine continues to have a harrowing effect on Ukraine’s 7.5 million children – on their health, education, family life and prospects for their futures.

In 1999, UN Security Council Resolution 1261 defined ‘Six Grave Violations’ most frequently affecting children in times of war. According to the latest UN report on children and armed conflict, there is mounting evidence that Russian authorities and Russian armed forces have committed at least five of these Six Grave Violations in Ukraine.  For consecutive years, the UN Secretary General has reported that under two categories – the killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals – the violations committed by Russian armed forces are prolific enough to warrant formal listing in his annual report.

A case in point is the attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.  Yesterday marked one year since a Russian KH-101 cruise missile struck the hospital. It was the biggest children’s medical facility in Ukraine and the country’s primary provider of specialist paediatric care.

According to UNICEF’s report from November 2024, the war has killed or injured over 2,406 children – an average of sixteen children every week.  The UN verified 222 cases of children being killed or injured in Ukraine between 1 March and 31 May 2025 – three times more children killed than during the previous quarter. In April this year alone, 97 children were killed or maimed. According to UN statistics, that is the highest monthly number of child casualties since June 2022.

It is not just death or injury that Ukrainian children face on a daily basis.  According to the Government of Ukraine, the Russian authorities and armed forces have deported nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories.  UN reports detail the treatment of Ukrainian children in these territories. Russian authorities have systematically forced the introduction of Russian language curriculum in schools, as well as ‘military-patriotic’ training. They have also forced Ukrainian children to adopt Russian citizenship.  Save the Children estimates that Russian attacks destroyed or damaged 576 education facilities in 2024 – more than double the 256 of the year before.

UN and Save the Children reports also underline that children fleeing the fighting in Ukraine are at significant risk of family separation, abuse, violence, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.  Countless people will bear the social and psychological trauma for years to come.

Moscow continues to try to disguise these crimes through a campaign of denial and disinformation.  But these abuses have all been verified by independent sources, including the UN, ODIHR and reports commissioned under the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism.

As we all know, and as the speakers have detailed today, children are uniquely vulnerable and disproportionately affected by conflict.  We welcome the OSCE’s work to hold Russia accountable for its actions and to support Ukraine, including through the SPU, the Support Programme for Ukraine.  And we call on Russia to cease this unprovoked, illegal war and immediately and unconditionally return forcibly deported children to Ukraine.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 July 2025.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Lebanon and reiterated the UK’s ongoing support for Lebanon’s security, stability and future prosperity.

As part of a regional visit, Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Lebanon on Friday 4 July 2025. He reiterated the UK’s ongoing support for Lebanon’s security, stability and future prosperity.

The Foreign Secretary met with President General Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace. Discussions focused on the latest local and regional developments and UK-Lebanon bilateral relations.

The Foreign Secretary spoke about the urgency of efforts to reach a lasting peace in Lebanon and the region. He stressed the importance of Lebanon and Israel implementing the ceasefire agreement in full, including the withdrawal of Israeli Forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) throughout the South.

He commended the long-standing and strong bilateral partnership between Lebanon and the UK including with the LAF, both in the South and on the border with Syria. Since 2009, the UK has spent over £115 million to support the LAF with infrastructure, vehicles, training and equipment and since 2013 supported the establishment of the Land Border Regiments (LBRs) on the border with Syria.

The Foreign Secretary also reiterated the UK’s support for UNIFIL and the role they play for stability in South Lebanon, as mandated in UNSCR 1701.  He called for urgent implementation of essential economic reforms and transparent processes for justice and accountability.

British Ambassador Hamish Cowell said:

I was pleased to welcome British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Lebanon, following unprecedented regional tensions.

Efforts must continue to secure a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon and allow the full deployment of the Lebanese Army to the south of the country, as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon.

Stability in the Middle East is in everyone’s interest. The full implementation of UNSCR 1701 is crucial to Lebanon and the region’s future security.

Lebanon’s path to recovery is dependent on essential reforms, including those required to secure an IMF agreement to rebuild the economy and unlock international investment.

The UK remains a steadfast partner to Lebanon and its people.

The Foreign Secretary also visited Syria as part of his regional trip. This is the first by a UK Minister in 14 years and renews the UK-Syria diplomatic relationship. The Foreign Secretary met President Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani to reiterate the importance of an inclusive and representative political transition in Syria and offer continued UK support to the Syrian people.

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

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Presentation of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and Interim Report of the Secretary General on Human Rights on Crimea. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Assistant Secretary-General, for your update on the human rights situation in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

In June 2024, the European Court of Human Rights found Russia to have committed multiple human rights violations since its illegal annexation of Crimea. In May this year, the Council of Europe urged Russia to restore Ukrainian law in Crimea and end the use of torture and ill-treatment.

There are very concerning reports of civilians being detained and taken across the border into Russia, where they have been convicted on spurious charges. This includes those who work in critical civilian infrastructure, such as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and journalists.

We note your assessment that targeted use of drones, including attacks that have killed civilians while delivering humanitarian aid, has violated IHL principles of distinction and precaution. Russia must comply with international law. Rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians is needed.

Those responsible must be held to account for the appalling forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, and the enlistment of these children into military patriotic training programmes, potentially then being sent to fight against their own country.

Assistant Secretary-General,

Given Russia’s attempt to erase children’s heritage, what steps can be taken to prevent the long-term erasure of their cultural and national identity?

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

UK and 41 other OSCE participating States mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Mr Chair, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 42 participating States: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom, the member states of the European Union and my own country Switzerland.

On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This prohibition is clearly enshrined in international human rights law and international humanitarian law – in particular in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention against Torture. We recall that the prohibition of torture is also considered a peremptory norm of general international law (jus cogens) and therefore does not allow for any derogation, even in situations of emergency.

Five years after the adoption of the Tirana Ministerial Council Decision on the Prevention and Eradication of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the eradication of the use of torture in the OSCE region remains a distant goal. Torture and ill-treatment continue to occur across the region. Let us use this anniversary to redouble our efforts.

Preventing torture requires transparency and independent monitoring. We call on all participating States to consider ratifying and implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) and to ensure that independent and effective National Preventive Mechanisms are in place. Regular and unrestricted access to all places of detention is essential.

In many detention facilities, conditions remain dire: overcrowding, lack of medical care, unsanitary conditions, prolonged isolation, and abuse during custody or interrogation. These conditions can amount to inhuman or degrading treatment and, at times, to torture.

Perhaps even more pressing, torture has reemerged as a systematic and widespread practice in the context of armed conflict including occupation in the OSCE region. Torture and other inhuman treatment or acts may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the systematic use of torture by Russian forces has been thoroughly documented – including by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the OSCE Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR.

Mr Chair, we are also alarmed by numerous reports of torture and ill-treatment used to suppress civil society and silence dissent. We express our strong support for civil society and human rights defenders. Their role in documentation, victim support and independent oversight is indispensable – and must be protected from reprisals.

The use of torture and ill-treatment as means of intimidation, punishment or coercion are unacceptable in any context, and no derogation is permitted. We stand firm in our commitment to justice and accountability. These grave violations of international law, including human rights law and OSCE commitments, must not go unpunished.

We urge all participating States to adopt a victim-centered and gender- responsive approach in all anti-torture efforts. Rehabilitation, justice and prevention must be guided by the voices and needs of survivors. The Méndez Principles should guide ethical and non-coercive interviewing practices.

Mr Chair, torture must never be tolerated. Let us renew our collective efforts to uphold human dignity, support victims and survivors, and ensure accountability across the OSCE region and beyond.

Thank you.

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

UK and others call for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

Madam Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and my own country, Germany.

The following participating States are also joining this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia and San Marino.

We welcome the release of several political prisoners, including Siarhei Tsikhanousky, in which the United States of America played a crucial role.

While these are positive steps, we are deeply concerned that as of 26 June at least 1 170 political prisoners still remain in custody in Belarus according to the human rights organization Viasna. Many are subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including prolonged isolation and denial of essential medical care. Tragically, at least eight of them died in detention due to these inhumane conditions.

We are also mindful of those who, upon release, are forced to flee Belarus or are compelled to remain under continuous repression that effectively prolongs their punishment beyond imprisonment.

Moreover, the Belarusian authorities continue to arrest and detain opponents or people perceived as such and to suppress independent media, in disregard of international obligations and OSCE principles and commitments.

Against this background, we reiterate our call for the Belarusian authorities to: stop persecuting individuals for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, to freedom of association and to peaceful assembly; immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, most urgently those with health issues and disabilities, the elderly and single parents and to ensure their rehabilitation; and, ensure fair and humane treatment of all prisoners, in particular by allowing prisoners who have been prevented from communicating with their families to do so, and by granting prompt access to appropriate medical care for those in need.

We will continue to support the Belarusian people’s aspiration for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.

Thank you.

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

Deputy Ambassador James Ford delivers a statement on behalf of the UK and Canada on the increasing malign activity faced by OSCE States across our region.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, and my own country the United Kingdom.

I would like to thank the US for the opportunity to address this important topic. The principle that security is comprehensive and interconnected across the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions sits at the very heart of the OSCE. But this is not the first time that this Council has had to address hybrid threats faced by participating States across our region.

Hybrid activity can include espionage, transnational repression, foreign information manipulation and interference, malicious cyber activity, political interference, and sabotage – including of critical national infrastructure. These tactics are used to target all parts of societies, our citizens, institutions, journalists, universities, and businesses with the aim of undermining our national security.

In recent years, such activity has increased in both frequency and intensity. As the UK has raised before, this includes arson in London, malign activity in various NATO and EU countries, and attempts to undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions in the leadup to last year’s October presidential elections.

Moreover, the line between state and non-state actors is blurring as certain states increasingly use proxies, illicit finance and organised crime groups to facilitate and conduct hybrid attacks. Last week’s Economic and Environmental Committee highlighted the serious threat posed by the so-called ‘shadow fleet,’ an example of destabilising actions in the OSCE region in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The next Security Committee will examine how illicit financial networks enable transnational organised crime.

As the UK, we will continue to press for effective OSCE action to tackle reckless hybrid attacks and malign influence aimed at destabilising our society and the shared security principles on which this organisation is based.

Thank you, Madam Chair.