Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Somalia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The UK commends Somalia for its engagement with the UN human rights system. We recognise the progress Somalia has made by establishing a National Independent Human Rights Commission.

We remain deeply concerned about reported differentiation of the age of “responsibility” and the age of “maturity”. It is essential that the rights of children, individuals below the age of 18, are protected. 

We remain concerned at the ongoing loss of civilian life due to conflict and insecurity, continuing cases of sexual and gender-based violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression, including the detention of journalists.

We recommend:

1. Prioritising protecting the rights of children, protecting the rights of all individuals under the age of 18.
2. Ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and undertaking its swift implementation.
3. Ensuring freedom of speech and strong protections for journalists operating in Somalia.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

The UK welcomed Armenia’s successful hosting of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, reaffirmed UK support for Armenia’s democratic resilience, and highlighted the agreement of a new UK–Armenia Strategic Partnership.

Thank you, Mr Chair.  And I thank the delegation of Armenia for updating us on the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan earlier this week.

The UK warmly welcomes Armenia’s hosting of the EPC and commends the Armenian authorities for the smooth organisation of the Summit. We were pleased that the OSCE was invited to attend and that the Secretary General was able to participate.

My Prime Minister met Prime Minister Pashinyan in the margins of the Summit. He commended the significant steps taken to secure peace in the region and thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his leadership on the issue.

My Prime Minister also underlined the UK’s steadfast support for Armenia’s democratic resilience – including through practical co-operation on counter-disinformation, cyber security, and supporting an independent judiciary and media.

As the next step in deepening our relationship, our leaders agreed a new UK–Armenia Strategic Partnership, marking a step change in the bilateral relationship and taking cooperation to a new level across defence and security, economic growth, and democratic resilience.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

The Democracy Defenders Award recognises the contribution civil society makes to promoting democracy in the OSCE region. PromoLex promotes democratic values, developing a strong civil society and implementing internationally recognised human rights standards in Moldova.

On behalf of the Democracy Defender Initiative, I would like to inform the Permanent Council of the following matter.  

In 2016, the Democracy Defender Award was established to recognize the enormous contribution that civil society makes to defending and promoting democracy in the OSCE region.  The Award honours outstanding contributions to upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.  

In keeping with this tradition, we are pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2026 Award is PromoLex.  

PromoLex focuses on promoting democratic values, developing a strong civil society, and implementing internationally recognised human rights in Moldova. The organisation is made up human rights activists who work to provide legal assistance, strategic litigation, research, and human rights monitoring.  It is also a leading actor in election observation, contributing to the integrity and transparency of electoral processes through monitoring, independent reporting, and advocacy for electoral reform in line with international standards.” 

The 10th Anniversary Democracy Defender Award Presentation and Seminar will take place on 13 May 2026.     

In addition to the official presentation of the 2026 Democracy Defender Award, the Seminar, featuring a panel of expert speakers, will explore how civil society can help address democratic backsliding and build democratic resilience in the OSCE region. Invitations have been distributed, and we encourage Delegations’ response and attendance.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

The UK Government stands with the people of Solomon Islands following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected and commend the leadership of the Solomon Islands Government, local authorities and communities for their swift response, alongside humanitarian partners.

UK support is helping people recover, rebuild, and stay safe in four key areas:

Supporting children and families to recover

Under this area the UK has provided US$150,000 to enable United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to repair damaged homes and schools and restore access to clean water through its Today and Tomorrow Initiative. This support will help children return to learning, improve safety, and ensure families have access to basic services as communities recover.

Rapid financial support for the national response

Given the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Maila, Solomon Islands has received a rapid payout of US$500,000 through the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC). UK support to this regional insurance mechanism helps Pacific governments access immediate funding after disasters, easing pressure on national finances and enabling faster response for affected communities.

Meeting urgent needs in the hardest-hit communities

Through UK-backed support from the Start Fund, World Vision is helping 2,000 of the most vulnerable people with clean water, sanitation, shelter and food security. This assistance, supported by over US$270,000 in funding, is helping families meet their most critical needs.

In addition to this support, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $2.5 million to support urgent needs in Solomon Islands. The UK is a longstanding partner to the CERF and is the largest overall donor to the fund since its inception in 2006, contributing more than $2 billion in total over the years.

Reaching thousands with lifesaving assistance

As a partner to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund, the UK is supporting the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society to deliver health, water, sanitation, shelter and protection assistance to around 7,500 people. A pay out of US$350,000 has been allocated to those that have been severely affected. 

The UK remains committed to standing alongside Solomon Islands as recovery efforts continue.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan and South Sudan.

First, the United Kingdom underscores UNISFA’s critical role in protecting civilians and maintaining stability in a fragile environment. 

It is essential that UNISFA is able to deliver its mandate in full. 

We are concerned by continued restrictions on UNISFA’s freedom of movement, the limited progress by the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities against key mandate benchmarks agreed last November and the presence of unauthorised forces in violation of Abyei’s demilitarised status. 

We also again strongly condemn the drone attacks on the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism logistics base in December, which killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured nine others, and we extend our deepest sympathies to their families. 

We urge accountability and call on all parties to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and premises in accordance with international law. 

Beyond this tragic human cost, the attack has also led to the first complete suspension of the Mechanism’s physical presence since its creation, which has significantly impacted border monitoring and demilitarisation. 

Second, we remain concerned at the acute humanitarian and protection situation in Abyei. 

More than 20,000 people are currently displaced in the region, and access constraints are limiting the delivery of vital assistance. 

We are also deeply concerned by reports of a pattern of conflict-related sexual violence, including against children. 

We call on all actors to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to protect civilians, in line with international law.

Third, it is critical that progress is made against the benchmarks agreed in resolution 2802. 

The continued failure to convene joint mechanisms and delays to police deployment are deeply concerning. 

We urge Sudan and South Sudan to re-engage in dialogue and take concrete steps towards demilitarisation and agreed governance arrangements.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

The UK warns that Holocaust denial and distortion are fuelling antisemitism and insecurity across the OSCE region. It urges participating States to move from discussion to action and safeguard historical truth from political manipulation and emerging digital threats.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Allow me also to thank the United States for raising this important issue.

Holocaust denial and distortion are not merely disputes about the past. They are present-day threats that corrode truth, undermine social cohesion, and fuel antisemitism.

Denial seeks to erase the reality of the Holocaust. Distortion can be more insidious: it minimises, trivialises, or manipulates the facts – often masquerading as “debate” or “enquiry”. Both deny dignity to victims and survivors; both create space for hatred to spread.

Across the OSCE region, we are witnessing a deeply troubling resurgence of antisemitism. Jewish communities fear for their safety. Hate is traveling faster than ever – online, on our streets, and through narratives that distort or deny the Holocaust.

The OSCE has a vital role to play. Our shared commitments on tolerance and non‑discrimination remain a foundation for action. ODIHR’s work – supporting participating States, engaging civil society, and strengthening practical responses – continues to be essential to turning commitments into impact.

We thank the Swiss Chairpersonship for convening participating States in St Gallen in February to highlight these challenges and discuss trends and solutions. The conference underlined a simple truth: while physical security measures remain necessary, they alone cannot provide lasting safety. Lasting resilience requires addressing the roots of antisemitism and strengthening the social fabric in which Jewish life is valued and protected.

We must also be clear-eyed about the dangers of manipulating the past for political ends. When historically loaded language is deployed loosely, when the horrors of Nazism are trivialised through indiscriminate labelling, or when the language of genocide is repurposed in ways that dilute the Holocaust’s historical meaning, the result is the same: truth is weakened, and respect for victims is diminished.

During the UK’s Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance we prioritised safeguarding remembrance and tackling Holocaust distortion, including risks from artificial intelligence and digital manipulation. We worked with partners, including at the OSCE, to deepen cooperation and build expertise, notably at the Bucharest Conference on Holocaust Distortion and Education.

Mr Chair, I want to conclude by returning to why this discussion matters. Last week in London, an antisemitic attack targeted members of the Jewish community simply for being Jewish. It was appalling. Attacks on Jewish people for being Jewish are attacks on us all – on our values, our security on our shared decency. They leave Jews fearful of being themselves and questioning whether they belong.

This is the human cost of hatred left unchallenged. Holocaust denial and distortion are not abstract distortions of history; they are part of the same ecosystem of antisemitism that leads to fear, violence and insecurity today.

The United Kingdom will not tolerate antisemitism, no matter how it manifests. We recognise the scale of the challenge – and we will meet it.

That means implementing the commitments we have made, supporting ODIHR’s practical work, confronting denial and distortion wherever they arise, and protecting Jewish communities across the OSCE region. The United Kingdom stands ready to work with all participating States to deliver that.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

UK Statement at Denmark’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The United Kingdom commends Denmark’s long‑standing commitment to the protection of human rights, including its strong record on media freedom and civic participation.

We recognise the implementation of consent‑based rape legislation and the adoption of national action plans to combat trafficking in human beings, and racism.

We recommend:

1. Ensuring effective implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, strengthening victim identification, the non‑punishment of victims, and prosecution of traffickers.
2. Strengthening implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Racism, including improved recording and prosecution of hate crimes and protection of all ethnic and religious minorities.
3. Safeguarding freedom of expression and privacy in the use of digital technologies.

Thank you.