Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2024.

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

Colleagues, as many before me have already highlighted, the Taliban’s latest announcement to restrict medical education for women is yet another appalling violation of Afghan women’s rights.

The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns this decision. Such a draconian and shortsighted policy will severely undermine the provision of healthcare to Afghan women and children, putting thousands of lives at risk.

It is yet another tragic setback, further adding to the suffering of Afghan women.

Meanwhile, a year since the publication of the Special Coordinator’s independent assessment, the implementation of its recommendations has been stalled.

We call for the swift appointment of a UN Special Envoy, as mandated in resolution 2721, to help bring Afghan stakeholders and the international community together in meaningful dialogue.

Alongside our international partners, the United Kingdom has engaged constructively with the UN-led process, including the establishment of working groups on counternarcotics and the private sector.

But engagement on the Taliban’s priorities requires reciprocity on their part. The Taliban must demonstrate meaningful progress towards Afghanistan’s international obligations on human rights, political inclusion, and counter terrorism.

Finally, we remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation as highlighted by USG Fletcher today. The United Kingdom will continue to support the people of Afghanistan through distribution of over $200 million in aid this financial year.

With the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan less than 40% funded, we call on the international community to do everything possible to support vulnerable Afghans, particularly in these winter months.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2024.

Ambassador Holland thanks the Personal Representatives for their collaboration with the UK and work in defence of fundamental freedoms.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Rabbi Baker, Ambassador Akgün and Dr Polak, welcome back to the Permanent Council, and thank you for your reports today.

The UK remains committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities.  Defending and promoting these principles remains a longstanding human rights priority for the UK’s work in multilateral organisations, including at the OSCE.

Respect for these fundamental freedoms is enshrined in the foundational texts of the OSCE because we recognise that religious intolerance and persecution fuels instability, impeding both conflict prevention and resolution. When freedom of religion or belief is respected, and interreligious dialogue is promoted, we can build trust and understanding between communities. Societies are stronger when they are inclusive – something we also see in understanding and preventing radicalisation and violent extremism, where drivers can be ideological, socio-economic, or personal.

I would like to thank Russia for paying such close attention to interfaith relations in the UK. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to return the favour. The UK is a proud multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy. We are, however, cognisant of the challenges we face. Domestically, we are seeking to address underlying causes of religious hatred while supporting all victims, including by providing funding for Tell MAMA, the leading national organisation to monitor and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred; our Protective Security for Mosques scheme; and, the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, which provides funding to the Community Security Trust, and helps keep members of the Jewish community safe.

In other words, we seek to role model the values we raise in this room, which can’t be said for everyone.

As we survey the global landscape, we must be honest with ourselves about the challenges we face in protecting fundamental freedoms and promoting tolerance and non-discrimination. More countries are engaged in conflict than at any time since the Second World War – including in our own region, with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. And since 7 October 2023, we have seen a surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia.

It is a sobering and chilling picture, but one that should lead us to double down on our shared commitments and values and ensure we learn the lessons of the past.

In this spirit, the UK is proud to hold the presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) until February 2025. The theme of our presidency is “in Plain Sight”, drawing attention to the fact that the Holocaust did not happen in a dark corner. During our time leading the IHRA, we have focused on safeguarding remembrance of the Holocaust, tackling distortion and securing the narrative for the future.

In October, we were pleased to work with you Rabbi Baker on the Holocaust Distortion and Education Conference in Bucharest, which we co-hosted with the OSCE, US and host country Romania. This provided a timely opportunity to examine the impact of emerging technologies on Holocaust denial and distortion.

As I said, we are also taking action to support Muslim communities in the UK. Islamophobia is abhorrent and the UK Government is committed to working with police and community partners to monitor and combat it. We are grateful to Ambassador Akgün for her contribution to a roundtable discussion at 10 Downing Street in London last month on anti-Muslim prejudice, the steps needed to combat it, and how we can foster greater inclusion and community cohesion.

Mr Chair, we have all seen the consequences of intolerance, discrimination and hatred and how they poison our societies. We made shared commitments to respect fundamental freedoms and prevent this from happening again. Together we can – and must – tackle this scourge.

Thank you, to all three of you for your important contributions this year.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2024.

Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom as well as the High Representative of the European Union.

We, Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom as well as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, have come together with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine today at a watershed moment in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The goals of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and durable security for Europe are inseparable. Ukraine must prevail.

This is why after more than 1,000 days of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, we remain steadfast in our solidarity. We will continue to support Ukraine in its right of self-defence against Russian aggression.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s decision to escalate its war of aggression through brutal and deliberate attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical civilian infrastructure, by the deployment of DPRK troops and by using intermediate-range ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine.

We will continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.

We will continue to support Ukraine on its path towards accession to the European Union.

We reiterate our firm support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We will step up military, economic and financial aid to Ukraine, including by mobilizing additional European funding.

We stress that a rapid and collective implementation of the G7 50 billion dollar loan, in which Europeans play an important role, will help Ukraine cover urgent needs, including military ones.

We remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction, in coordination with international partners. URC 2025 will be hosted by Italy.

We will keep constraining the build-up of Russia’s military capabilities. We will pursue additional pressure on the Kremlin’s sources of revenue, including from energy.

We reaffirm our commitment to President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula, as credible path towards a just and lasting peace.

There can be no negotiations about peace in Ukraine without Ukrainians and without Europeans by their side.

We are committed to providing Ukraine with ironclad security guarantees, including reliable long-term provision of military and financial support.

Convinced that peace in Ukraine and security in Europe are inseparable, we are determined to stand united with our European and transatlantic partners to think and act big on European security.

We therefore reaffirm the Warsaw Declaration of 19 November 2024. As one element, we need to improve European defense industry’s access to public and private finance with a view to closing the European capability gaps.

We consider this an opportunity to renew the foundations of the transatlantic Alliance with the United States of America by strengthening NATO and ensuring fair burden sharing within the Alliance, including through increased EU efforts in security and defence, and to build a more secure and more united Europe.

To that effect, we reiterate our steadfast commitment to a European security architecture based on the principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE.

We also discussed the current situation in Syria. After the downfall of the Assad regime, it is critical to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria and to respect its independence, its sovereignty, as well as state institutions, and to reject all forms of extremism. All stakeholders must uphold international law and protect members of all minorities, while engaging in an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned dialogue on all key issues to ensure an orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition, in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and in accordance with the will of the Syrian people. Syria must be looked at also from a broader regional perspective. We welcomed the recent ceasefire in Lebanon and stress the need for a ceasefire, a hostage release deal and provide humanitarian aid at scale also in Gaza.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2024.

Statement by UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) David True, at the 66th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC-M-66).

Thank you Director-General for convening the Council and for your detailed briefing. I assure you of the UK’s continuing full support.

The brutal history of chemical weapons use in Syria must never be repeated. We are monitoring developments in Syria and engaging with our partners in the region. We note Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s commitment to protect chemical weapon sites, and not use chemical weapons under any circumstances. I reiterate that all parties in Syria are prohibited under UNSCR 2118 from using, developing, producing, otherwise acquiring, stockpiling or retaining chemical weapons, or transferring them to other States or non-State actors. Syria must continue to meet its obligations to the Chemical Weapons Convention. We also expect that personnel designated by the OPCW or the United Nations will be provided immediate and unfettered access — and the right to inspect — any and all chemical weapons sites. As my Foreign Secretary said, we will judge HTS by its actions.

The OPCW’s Declarations Assessment Team increased the number of outstanding issues with Syria’s chemical weapon declaration to 19 this year. Considering the complete lack of credible engagement with the OPCW by the previous Syrian Regime and at least 38 Assad directed chemical weapons attacks since 2013, it is likely that Syria’s declaration is even less accurate that many of us feared.  Any unsecured toxic chemicals, research and production facilities present a significant proliferation risk at a time of increasing instability in the Middle East.

The priority must be, therefore, to identify the extent of the Syrian chemical weapons programme, to secure it and then begin the work of destroying it. This will be no simple task. It will require significant financial and logistical resource, wide diplomatic engagement, and coordination with the UN, other international organisations and civil society – including Syrian NGOs operating within the territory.

The OPCW is not new to this. It has verified the destruction of large scale programmes, including within countries suffering the effects of civil war.  But the Technical Secretariat cannot do this alone. This Council and all Chemical Weapon Convention States Parties must commit to providing the support it requires to deliver its mandate and help eliminate the serious risk posed by the Assad regime’s chemical weapon programme. We must step up. The UK is committed to ensuring the Technical Secretariat can deliver an expanded Syria mission.

Assad has committed brutal atrocities against his own people for the last 13 years. The Syrian people have suffered for too long under his cruel tyranny. So many have been victim to his use of chemical weapons. They deserve a brighter future. They deserve justice. The work of the OPCW Fact Finding Mission and the Investigation and Identification Team must continue and both teams should be afforded unfettered access to Syria. Meanwhile, the UK will continue to work with a group of states from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe to consider criminal accountability for chemical weapons use.

I offer the UK’s full support to the Technical Secretariat as it works to confirm the status of the Syrian chemical weapons programme and prepares for an expanded mission.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2024.

Ambassador Holland sets out some of the examples of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its OSCE commitments that we have witnessed so far in 2024.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We are nearing the end of another calendar year of Russian aggression against both Ukraine and the foundational principles of the OSCE. 2024 has seen no shortage of lowlights.

We have seen an intensification of attacks against critical energy infrastructure, particularly over the past few months. These attacks threaten the power supply to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and further demonstrate Russia’s disregard for nuclear safety. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that they potentially constituted a crime against humanity.

There have been countless strikes against civilian targets, with the UN reporting at least 1770 civilian casualties between the start of the year and 31 October. On Tuesday, a Russian missile attack killed at least ten  people and injured another 22 – including a child – in the city of Zaporizhzhia. This follows a missile strike, in May, on a busy hardware store in Kharkiv and the appalling attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in July.

In April, we received a Moscow Mechanism expert report which confirmed that thousands of Ukrainian civilians had been arbitrarily detained by Russia since 2014.  Among those illegally detained are our Special Monitoring Mission colleagues and representatives of local government, including at least three mayors of Ukrainian municipalities. We note with concern recent reports that Yevhen Matvieiev, mayor of Dniprorudnyy, has died in Russian captivity.

At meetings of this Council in 2024, 40 States have documented Russia’s malign activities and interference in the OSCE region. These reckless actions aim to undermine support for Ukraine. They will not work – and have only succeeded in strengthening our resolve.

We have seen a dangerous expansion of Russia’s cooperation with Iran and DPRK, including the provision of ballistic missiles, and the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops on European soil.  This is a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and carries serious implications for the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

Madam Chair, this is not an exhaustive list.  It doesn’t cover the increasing execution of prisoners of war, the grim milestone of 1000 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, reports on the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield, strikes against civilian ships carrying grain for the world’s most vulnerable, and independent bodies finding Russia’s use of torture is “widespread and systematic”. I could continue.

While it is important that we record Russia’s many violations of its OSCE obligations, we should not lose sight of the moments for optimism. Almost 100 countries and institutions coming together for the Summit on Peace. Further progress on Ukraine’s journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Agreements reached on the exchange of POWs. And, over 3000 delegates attending the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin and securing over $16bn in new support for Ukraine. But most important of all, Ukraine and Ukrainians have remained resilient and strong in defence of their homeland and our shared values. We confirm once again our strong support of them and urge the Russian state to immediately end its war of aggression and respect its OSCE commitments. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2024.

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

Thank you, Mr President,

We welcome the delegation from Ethiopia, led by Ministry of Justice State Minister, Belayihun Yirga Kifle. We welcome their election to the Human Rights Council.

The UK recognises the government of Ethiopia’s recent progress through the Transitional Justice policy and implementation roadmap, and we welcome the commencement of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme.

However, it is clear that ongoing conflicts since the last review threaten progress on human rights.

We recommend the government of Ethiopia:

1. Ensures that all perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses are held to account;
2. Ensures too that the implementation of laws during a state of emergency is consistent with Ethiopia’s obligations under international human rights law; and
3. Resolves all internal conflicts in Ethiopia, with the most impact on human rights, through commitment to genuine political processes.

Thank you.