Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2024.

Interactive Dialogue on the UN Secretary General’s Report on Reprisals. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr President, and thank you to the Secretary General for his tireless work to highlight continuing efforts to silence those who cooperate with the UN to defend human rights.

The UK pays tribute to these courageous individuals.

This time last year, we highlighted the intimidation and harassment faced by the son of Jimmy Lai, Sebastien, and his international legal team, for their engagement with this Council. We are deeply troubled that such tactics appear to have continued, including death and rape threats and repeated attempts to hack email and bank accounts as set out in this year’s report.

In Belarus, members of the Congress of Democratic Trade Unions have been detained for advocating for workers’ rights and engaging with the International Labour Organization.  Delegates of the Human Rights Centre Viasna face years in prison for cooperating with UN mechanisms.

In Vietnam, author and journalist Pham Doan Trang remains in detention for her work to advance human rights, including through her engagement with the UN.

And in Russia, the authorities have dissolved the NGO “Man and Law” citing its engagement with the UN.

Mr President, a conservative figure of 300 human rights defenders lost their lives in 2023; what can be done to reduce this terrible toll?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2024.

The UK is providing £5 million to UNICEF in Lebanon to support humanitarian response efforts and enable UNICEF to distribute supplies to those in need.

The essential humanitarian support comes after further civilian casualties following this week’s air strikes. Thousands more have been displaced or forced to flee their homes.

The package includes essential medical supplies, hygiene kits and fuel for water stations, to help thousands of displaced civilians across Lebanon meet their basic needs.

It will also help emergency teams respond to urgent health and nutrition needs and provide a series of training sessions for key delivery partners and frontline workers to ensure an effective emergency response.

Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer said:

Today we are providing £5 million to UNICEF in Lebanon to support the urgent humanitarian response in Lebanon.  The number of civilian casualties is unacceptable, and the UK is deeply concerned by the surge in numbers of displaced people.

An immediate ceasefire is essential.

Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy Beirut Victoria Dunne said:

We are profoundly saddened by the civilian deaths in Lebanon. The number of casualties and the scale of displacement is deeply distressing.

Alongside our tireless diplomatic efforts, the UK is providing £5m to UNICEF Lebanon, to deliver vital supplies to support thousands of displaced civilians facing a humanitarian emergency in Lebanon. The UK has been and will remain a strong supporter of Lebanon.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2024.

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and multilateralism, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

President, let me start by underscoring a very clear message from my government. We need an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza now. And we need an immediate ceasefire across the Lebanon/Israel border now.

We are on the brink of a much larger regional war, which risks even more devastation and suffering. Unfortunately, as we have seen both on the ground today with further strikes in Beirut and as we have heard from speeches in the General Assembly hall, the escalation continues.

We urge Israel and Hizballah to heed the calls of the UK and our partners to immediately agree a 21-day ceasefire. Calm heads must prevail to end this cycle of violence.

President, today’s meeting was called to focus on the dire situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Almost one year into the conflict, 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians lack access to clean water and sanitation, facing the threat of disease and famine.

And 101 hostages are still held by Hamas in horrific conditions, as Israel and its people continue to reckon with the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack in its history.

It is clear that there can be no military solution to this conflict. Israel and Hamas must agree a deal urgently.

In the meantime, Israel must fulfil its commitment to flood Gaza with humanitarian aid. Sadly this has not yet materialised.

Ahead of a winter, Israel must ensure that the right supplies and equipment can enter Gaza to protect vulnerable families.

And it must ensure it complies with its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.

Only last week over 200 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and many continue to live under a relentless barrage of attacks, unsafe in the shelters where they seek refuge.

The UK is also deeply concerned by the situation in the occupied West Bank. We call on Israel to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on actions of those who seek to inflame tensions.

The closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in Ramallah by the IDF is contrary to the democratic principles that Israel is rightly proud of. Media freedom and security of journalists must be respected.

President, without a revitalised political process towards a two-state solution we will not achieve a sustainable peace. We need galvanised international efforts to this end, and to realise a safe and secure Israel, alongside a safe and secure Palestinian state.

This must include the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in line with 1967 borders and under the effective control of the Palestinian Authority.

President, planning for Gaza’s future must also put Palestinians at the centre of governance, security, recovery and reconstruction efforts. This is the only way to deliver a lasting stability.

Together, we must stop the region slipping into a deeper crisis and pull it back on the path towards a peaceful future.