Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 April 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

We welcome this session on implementing UNSCR2730.

I think it is critical that the Council maintains momentum on the safety, security and well-being of aid workers.

And I pay tribute to those on the frontline and extend, again, my condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.

In the first 3 months of 2025, the Aid Worker Security Database has already recorded 64 deaths, 36 injuries and 8 kidnappings.

The majority were local or national aid workers.

The most dangerous place to deliver humanitarian assistance is Gaza, with over 400 aid workers reportedly killed since the beginning of the conflict.

That is followed by Sudan and South Sudan.

We are also concerned about the aid workers detained by the Houthis in Yemen and call for their release.

And we stress the need for the safety of aid workers in Myanmar, who are bringing essential responses for the victims of the devastating earthquake.

At the one-year anniversary of the attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, which killed seven aid workers, including three British citizens, we continue to call for the conclusion of the Military Advocate General’s consideration of the incident, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated.

Tragically, just last week, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that eight of its medics were killed in Gaza, alongside first responders and a UN aid worker.

We call for a thorough and swift investigation with meaningful accountability for those responsible.

PRCS medic Asaad Al-Nasasra is still missing and we call on Israel to support the search for him.

Three actions are essential.

First, all parties to a conflict must comply with International Humanitarian Law.

This includes compliance with obligations relating to the passage of humanitarian supplies, equipment and personnel, and respecting and protecting aid workers.

States must investigate attacks on aid workers and hold perpetrators to account.

Effective, trusted deconfliction mechanisms must be set up and used.

Second, we must strengthen international commitments to protect aid workers.

The UK is proud to be part of the Australian–led Ministers Group to develop a political declaration to galvanise collective action to protect aid workers.

And we encourage others to join and demonstrate unity to drive action beyond the Council that enhances protection for aid workers.

Third, we must do all we can to support humanitarian organisations, including local organisations, to work safely.

Actors who play a fundamental role in aid worker safety face operational risks due to inadequate funding.

The UK supports organisations, such as the Aid Worker Security Database and INSO, who play a central role in aid worker security.

We urge others to consider supporting fundamental ‘enabler’ organisations.

In conclusion, President, the UK remains steadfast in our commitment to allowing aid workers to do their job in safety and preventing violence against aid workers from becoming the new normal.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 April 2025.

UK Core Group Statement to Introduce Item 2 Resolution on South Sudan. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr President.

I am honoured to present, on behalf of a core group of Albania, Ireland, Norway and the UK, this draft resolution on Advancing Human Rights in South Sudan, which proposes to extend the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for a further year.

We do so against a deeply alarming backdrop in South Sudan, with increased fighting in many parts of the country, and the recent arrest of First Vice President, Riek Machar.

We call on President Kiir to reverse that action. And we urge South Sudan’s collective leadership to engage with regional efforts to de-escalate the situation, and work together to deliver the peaceful, just and prosperous future that South Sudan’s people deserve. A future that was set out in the 2018 Peace Agreement.

Mr President, it is clear that the Commission for Human Rights continues to play a critical role in delivering that future. The current events are a sobering reminder that the Commission’s monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation, and its support to accountability, remain as vital today as when it was first established by consensus in 2016.

Let me also use this opportunity to praise the efforts of others also working tirelessly to improve the human rights situation in South Sudan, including the Office of the High Commissioner, and the UN Mission in South Sudan, headed by Special Representative Nicholas Haysom.

Mr President,

We regret that we have been again unable to reach consensus with South Sudan, and reach a single, consolidated text.

However, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my colleague and friend, Ambassador Deng of South Sudan, for the ongoing, and constructive discussions that we have had, which have helped enrich this text. I would also like to welcome the continued cooperation by the government of South Sudan with the Commission in Juba.

Mr President,

We note, as in previous years, South Sudan’s call for enhanced technical assistance.  We accordingly support draft resolution L.23 from the African Group.

Taken together, the two resolutions ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach to improving human rights, with technical assistance and capacity building continuing in addition to independent scrutiny of the human rights situation.

We therefore urge the Council to adopt this draft resolution and extend the mandate of the Commission, and to vote in favour of the text, should a vote be called.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 April 2025.

The UK has sanctioned seven corrupt actors whose actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala.

• The UK has sanctioned seven corrupt actors whose actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala, including former President Alejandro Giammattei and Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras
• This forms parts of a wider sanctions package against corrupt individuals linked to Moldova, Georgia and Guatemala
• This is the latest action in the Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle corruption and dirty money around the world, global threats that undermine the very foundations of free and democratic societies

The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has announced today a series of sanctions against individuals from Moldova, Georgia, and Guatemala. In Guatemala, the UK remains deeply concerned by continued attempts to undermine the Arévalo Government by corrupt actors with links to the previous administration.

Among the members of the “Pacto de Corruptos” (Pact of the Corrupt) facing sanctions are former President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei, his associate Miguel Martinez, and the Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras. In office, Giammattei profited from significant acts of corruption including re-appointing Porras to target his political rivals and undermine anti-corruption investigations. Porras and her cronies have achieved this by undermining the operational independence of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity and prosecuting journalists, lawyers and judges. Porras also attempted to annul the 2023 election and hinder the 2024 transition of power to President Arévalo. Meanwhile, Melvin Ernesto Quijivix Vega, former head of the National Institute of Electrification (Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion), embezzled more than 14.5m quetzales (£1.5m) of public funds.

Independent investigative reporting and the activities of civil society groups often play a crucial role in informing sanctions of this kind. But Porras and the Pacto de Corruptos have weaponised their powers against Guatemalan journalists who have tried to hold them to account. This led to the closure of noted investigative newspaper El Periódico and the jailing of its founder, following an investigation into a bribe from a Russian mining company to former President Giammattei in exchange for favourable exploration licences and port access.

Individuals targeted by today’s sanctions will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes, denying them entry to the UK and preventing them from holding funds or economic resources in the UK and its overseas territories.

These sanctions reaffirm the UK’s commitment to combating corruption and protecting the institutions designed to hold these unscrupulous individuals to account. The UK continues to stand with all Guatemalans in defence of democracy and the rule of law, and against those who trample on these principles for personal gain.

Background

Today the UK has sanctioned:

• Alejandro Giammattei, former President of Guatemala;
• Maria Consuelo Porras, Attorney General of Guatemala;
• Jose Curruchiche, Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad);
• Cinthia Monterroso, Prosecutor and Head of Unit at the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad);
• Angel Pineda, Secretary General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Publico);
• Melvin Quijivix, former Head of the National Institute of Electrification (Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion);
• Miguel Martinez, associate of Giammattei and former Head of the Centre of Government (Centro de Gobierno).

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 April 2025.

UK Statement at the 58th Human Rights Council for the Item 10 General Debate. Delivered by UK Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr Vice President,

We would like to begin by commending Bangladesh’s interim government for inviting the UN Human Rights Office to investigate last summer’s events. We are encouraged by Bangladesh’s continued engagement with OHCHR and we hope to see ongoing collaboration with the UN and international partners to build an inclusive, democratic future. The UK supports efforts to safeguard and promote human rights in Bangladesh, including through the consensus-led reform process.

We remain concerned by the human rights situation in Yemen which is undermined by a lack of both security and stability. In consultation with the government of Yemen, and in collaboration with international partners, we have launched a Flexible Funding Mechanism that will provide technical advisory support to promote effective and sustainable governance.

In Georgia, we are deeply concerned about the violence used by authorities against protestors, journalists, and the opposition. Their attacks on democratic protesters are unacceptable. They tarnish Georgia’s international standing and go against its constitutional commitment to a Euro-Atlantic future.

We are grateful for OHCHR’s work to provide technical assistance and support in this increasingly challenging environment. In particular, we welcome the recent establishment of new multi-country offices in Nairobi and Sarajevo.

Thank you.