Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2024.

Ambassador Neil Holland says that the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference symbolises our shared commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and thanks civil society organisations for their ongoing work.

Thank you Madam Chair and may I first thank the former and acting Directors of ODIHR for ODIHR’s support, assistance and expertise to participating States. ODIHR’s role is a manifestation of the principle that lasting security can only be achieved through respect for human rights and strong democratic institutions.

I would also like to thank the former Representative on Freedom of the Media and her team for their invaluable work, delivering on comprehensive security through media freedom.

And finally, I thank the Chair in Office and you Madam Chair, as well as Poland, our hosts, for their efforts and perseverance in arranging this Conference. These Conferences are the beating heart of the OSCE’s human dimension work in holding States to account.

The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference symbolises our shared commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Those values, agreed in the Helsinki Accords nearly 50 years ago, are as relevant as ever today, as one participating State – Russia – unleashes an all-out attack on the OSCE’s founding principles through its all-out attack on another participating State Ukraine.

At the forefront of our minds during this conference are the ongoing atrocities being committed by Russia in Ukraine where the human rights situation continues to deteriorate. Russia’s aggression shows no respect for the rights and dignity of the Ukrainian people, nor for the OSCE commitments which it contravenes. ODIHR’s recent Fifth Interim Report showed stark evidence of the grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law being committed by Russia. This is also demonstrated in the reports resulting from our invocations of the Moscow Mechanism, supported by Ukraine.

As we look forward to next year’s 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, it is shocking to see all of the founding principles in the Helsinki Decalogue being blatantly violated by Russia, including respect for human rights and the fundamental freedoms. A key Helsinki commitment was that the security of the state is inseparable from the safety of the citizens. I have yet to hear any explanation from Russia as to why their actions in Ukraine can be interpreted in any other way than blatant disregard and violation of those founding principles. They did not provide any explanation when I asked them directly at the Permanent Council and they have chosen to block the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting which was designed for States to hold each other to account for their actions.

We pay tribute to the brave human rights defenders and other members of civil society, many of whom operate in increasingly oppressive environments. The perspective of civil society is vital in building an understanding of the human rights situation at grassroots level. So we are pleased to see so many civil society representatives at this conference. You represent the spirit of Helsinki and we will continue to support you and amplify your voices.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2024.

UK Statement for the Universal Periodic Review Adoption of Yemen as delivered at the 57th Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President.

The United Kingdom welcomes the engagement of the government of Yemen with the UPR process. The UK recognises that despite facing obstacles due to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, the government has accepted many of the recommendations.

We are aware that the government of Yemen has actively engaged in peace initiatives but the Houthi militia’s refusal to participate has hindered progress towards an inclusive and sustainable political settlement. And the government has shown willingness to commit to promoting human rights, gender equality and enhancing governance structures.

Despite this willingness, the UK would like to reiterate concerns for the deteriorating human rights situation on the ground. Yemenis continue to suffer severe hardship. We call on the government of Yemen to improve humanitarian access and aid delivery in areas under its control and urge the government to improve the treatment of migrants. In addition, the government should create the necessary conditions for Yemenis to safely express freedom of religion.

Finally, we implore the government to implement the necessary institutional changes to ensure the meaningful participation of women and religious minorities in political decision-making processes and any future peace settlement.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2024.

The UK, alongside the US and Australia, has sanctioned 16 members of prolific Russian cyber-crime gang ‘Evil Corp’.

• the UK sanctions 16 members of prolific Russian cyber-crime gang Evil Corp, alongside the US and Australia
• Evil Corp’s malicious cyber activity involved a concerted effort to compromise UK health, government and public sector institutions

Cybercriminals connected to Evil Corp, a prolific, long-standing Russian hacker group, have today (1 October) been targeted with new UK sanctions, in coordinated action alongside the US and Australia.

Among those sanctioned today is Maksim Yakubets, who long led the group’s operations and has a $5 million bounty on his head by the US Department of Justice. Yakubets also cultivated strong ties between Evil Corp and the Russian state, developing relationships with the FSB and Russian military intelligence (GRU).

Known for their Mafia style of operation, Evil Corp has waged a campaign of destructive cyber-attacks worldwide for over a decade.

This includes malware and ransomware attacks against UK health, government and public sector institutions, as well as private commercial technology companies. Their attacks have earned hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit profits worldwide.

Those sanctioned today will now be subject to a series of asset freezes and travel bans. The UK is committed to protecting the businesses and livelihoods affected by these cruel attacks.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

I am making it my personal mission to target the Kremlin with the full arsenal of sanctions at our disposal.

Putin has built a corrupt mafia state with himself at its centre. We must combat this at every turn, and today’s action is just the beginning.

Today’s sanctions send a clear message to the Kremlin that we will not tolerate Russian cyber-attacks – whether from the state itself or from its cyber-criminal ecosystem.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

Cyber-crime causes immense damage to people and business across the world but today’s action is evidence that there are serious consequences for those involved.

We will continue to work with our international partners to pursue and expose malicious cyber activity and protect the public.

These sanctions have taken place in coordination with significant law enforcement investigations led by the NCA and law enforcement agencies internationally. This announcement demonstrates our ability to use the full range of government tools to target the threat from cybercrime and disrupt malicious cyber actors emanating from the Russian state.

Today’s sanctions build on the action taken earlier this year against a leader of associated cyber-crime group LockBit. Alongside our allies, we will continue to crack down on malicious cyber activity and cyber-crime groups with links to Russia that seek to undermine global integrity, prosperity and security.

Background

Today the UK has sanctioned:

• Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets
• Artem Viktorovich Yakubets
• Viktor Grigoryevich Yakubets
• Igor Olegovich Turashev
• Aleksandr Viktorovich Ryzhenkov
• Sergey Viktorovich Ryzhenkov
• Eduard Vitalevich Benderskiy
• Dmitry Konstantinovich Smirnov
• Dmitriy Alekseyevich Slobodskoy
• Kirill Alekseyevich Slobodskoy
• Denis Igorevich Gusev
• Ivan Dmitriyevich Tuchkov
• Andrey Vechislavovich Plotnitskiy
• Aleksey Evgenyevich Shchetinin
• Beyat Enverovich Ramazanov
• Vadim Gennadyevich Pogodin

Since designation by the US in 2019, Evil Corp-affiliated actors have continued to operate, rebranding their activity by using different ransomware variants to obfuscate their activity and evade sanctions. This activity included the use of and affiliation with LockBit ransomware operations. Evil Corp and those involved in its malicious cyber activity remain a threat.

These announcements represent the culmination of significant law enforcement investigations led by the NCA and law enforcement agencies internationally and demonstrate our ability to use the full range of government tools to target the threat from cybercrime and disrupt malicious cyber actors emanating from the Russian state.

Alongside our sanctions action, the NCA, FBI and Australian Federal Police have released a public document revealing Evil Corp’s ties to the Russian state and their history of trying to adapt to a changing cyber landscape to cause as much harm as possible, including by pioneering new forms of cyber-crime.

This package has been announced as the UK is attending the international Counter Ransomware Initiative in the United States, where like-minded countries are working to mitigate the risks of malicious cyber activity.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 September 2024.

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya.

Thank you, Mr President, and thank you to UNHCR and the IOM for their briefings this afternoon.

We wish to make three points today:

First, the UK is committed to working with member states and UN agencies to tackle the drivers of irregular migration across Africa and the Mediterranean route, and to counter trafficking and people smuggling.

To this end, the UK is supporting the International Organisation for Migration’s work in Libya, including funding to provide returns and reintegration assistance for vulnerable migrants. The UK is also building capacity through joint UK National Crime Agency and Libyan law enforcement work to prosecute the leaders of organised criminal gangs.

Second, we are grateful to the Secretary General for his report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2698. Its description of the human rights situation for migrants is extremely worrying, including reports of arbitrary detention, torture, and mistreatment.

Its reports of migrant mass graves in Al-Shuwairf and other areas are extremely serious. All migrants and refugees must be treated with humanity and dignity, and their rights must be fully respected.

Third, we recognise the role that the Libyan authorities are playing in hosting large numbers of migrants and refugees, including from Sudan. The UK has provided support, including £2 million of assistance to support up to 150,000 Sudanese refugees in Libya fleeing violence in Darfur.

As part of their efforts we urge the Libyan authorities to work with the UN and other humanitarian actors to enhance conditions in migrant detention centres and to ensure that those responsible for any human rights violations are properly held to account. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Libyan authorities on these issues.

In conclusion, Mr President, the UK is committed to countering trafficking and people smuggling, and supporting vulnerable migrants. A political solution in Libya would support efforts to address the drivers of irregular migration, and provide peace and stability for Libyans.

We remain committed to supporting a Libyan-led and owned political process under UN auspices. We look forward to working with all Council members as we negotiate UNSMIL’s mandate next month.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 September 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President, let me start by thanking SRSG Keita and Ms. Nzale-Kove for briefing us today. I also welcome the participation of the representatives of the DRC, Rwanda and Angola in our meeting. I will make three broad points.

First, the United Kingdom thanks President Lourenço for his continued mediation efforts. We welcome progress made under August’s ceasefire agreement. Parties must now produce detailed plans outlining how and when their commitments will be met. They should also action the plans already in place.

During his recent visits to Angola, DRC and Rwanda recently, my Minister for Africa and the United Nations, Lord Collins of Highbury, encouraged all parties to engage in political dialogue. Whilst negotiations continue, the ceasefire must be respected. We call on all parties to the conflict, including non-state actors, to commit to de-escalation.

Second, the United Kingdom is grateful for SRSG Keita’s reflections on the human rights situation in the DRC. Widespread human rights violations and abuses and shrinking civic space are concerning.

We encourage the government of DRC to ensure the investigation into the incident at Makala prison is comprehensive and that those responsible are held accountable.

Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains dire. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and allow for unhindered humanitarian access.

The U.K. condemns the actions of all armed groups that cause terrible civilian suffering. Increased attacks by the Islamic State-affiliated ADF are particularly concerning, as are reports of continued M23 territorial expansion.

The significant challenges faced by the civilian population are now compounded by outbreaks of Mpox. Children account for 60 per cent of cases and 80 percent of deaths. The U.K. is finalising a further package of support for the Mpox response, and we encourage others to provide support.

Women and girls in DRC are particularly vulnerable and face some of the highest rates of sexual violence globally. Strengthening survivors’ access to justice and holding perpetrators to account is vital.

President, as we approach MONUSCO’s mandate renewal, the U.K. encourages the mission to learn lessons from its withdrawal from South Kivu. The protection of civilians must remain a priority.

Lastly, and crucially, the U.K. also calls on all parties to ensure MONUSCO has the access and freedom of movement required to deliver its mandate. Obstructing, or worse yet, targeting, peacekeeping missions is unacceptable. Council members must all send that clear message to the parties on this point.