Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson gave a statement following the Hong Kong District Council elections on December 10.

In local elections yesterday, many voices from Hong Kong’s District Councils were excluded from participating. Meaningful opposition in Hong Kong’s electoral system is being eliminated.

We strongly urge the Hong Kong Government to uphold its international commitments and respect the civil rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

At an FCDO stakeholder event to mark Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Lord Ahmad gave a statement.

Lord Ahmad opened his address by reflecting on the importance of this landmark anniversary, and how, 75 years ago, the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a bold statement of intent and a formidable responsibility for the generations to follow.

The Minister quoted Martin Luther King Jr: ‘We are not makers of history, we are made by history’ – and reflected on the role the UDHR has played in protecting the vulnerable and cementing fundamental freedoms.

Lord Ahmad stressed that with the terrible challenges the world faces today – humanitarian crises, conflicts and more – we must carry the torch handed to us by those pioneers 75 years ago and do all we can to protect life and dignity.

Lord Ahmad discussed the global human rights landscape. On the deeply shocking recent events in Israel and Gaza, he raised the need to seek peace and a pathway to end this conflict, as well as avoid regional escalation. He also stressed the urgent need to ensure daily aid gets into Gaza as quickly as possible to tackle the humanitarian crisis, and noted that the UK has contributed another £30 million towards this.

Lord Ahmad also highlighted reports of appalling sexual violence committed by Hamas, and emphasised that reports must be fully investigated and documented, the perpetrators held accountable and survivors supported. He underlined the UK’s commitment to a viable Two-State Solution that must be delivered to provide peace, justice and security to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

On Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, Lord Ahmad emphasised that the UK is determined to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and survivors of some of the most hideous abuses are supported. He explained how UK funding has helped deploy Mobile Justice Teams to the scenes of potential war crimes, trained more than 150 judges and delivered 30,000 forensic medical kits for police officers investigating conflict-related sexual violence.

Lord Ahmad also gave an overview of the UK’s work to champion thematic human rights, including chairing the first High-Level Meeting of the International alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, to hosting the Global Conference for the International Day for the Universal Access to Information and continuing to grow the International Religious Freedom of Belief Alliance, as we promote the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.

Lord Ahmad underscored the UK’s unwavering support for human rights defenders who find their lives and livelihoods at risk due to their courageous efforts and announced the UK’s renewed funding commitment to the Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund, to support civil society organisations and human rights defenders in crisis.

The Minister also highlighted the recently published International Development White Paper, which sets out the UK’s vision for supporting open societies, with accountable, effective and inclusive institutions around the world over the next seven years.

Lord Ahmad closed by repeating the importance of the universality of human rights and called on everyone to come together in a spirit of unity ensure that the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are fulfilled always and everywhere.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

Over 2,000 children around Washington, DC received a free copy of the beloved British book Paddington thanks to a partnership between the British Embassy, HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to promote early literacy.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the publication of A Bear called Paddington. The story, a now timeless classic in children’s literature known for its themes of positivity, inclusivity, and kindness, was written in 1958 by Michael Bond, a former BBC cameraman and Royal Air Force veteran who served in the Second World War. Since the book’s original publication, Paddington has become a cult favourite around the world and an iconic work of children’s literature – spurring 28 books, tv shows, toys, statues, and two Paddington feature films, with a third currently in production.

As part of the UK’s efforts to support early literacy, promote British Soft Power and world-leading literature in the United States, the British Embassy in Washington celebrated the book’s anniversary by partnering with publisher HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to distribute copies of the book Paddington to 2,500 public-school students in and around Washington, DC Donations were sent to 10 U.S. Title 1 schools, with books going to students aged between 3 and 9 years old. Title I is a US federal funding program for education used to help ensure that children, regardless of family income, can acquire an equitable and quality education that will allow students to become academically proficient.

To mark the occasion, on Monday, 11 December His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce, sat down with Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to read a copy of Paddington to 150 students at Dorothy Heights Elementary School. Ambassador Pierce and Mayor Bowser were joined on-stage by Chancellor of DC Public Schools, Dr. Lewis Ferebee and Principal Masi Preston, of Dorothy Heights Elementary School.

British Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce –

It was a pleasure to join Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee and Principal Preston to read Paddington Bear to students at Dorothy I. Height Elementary School. Paddington’s lessons of kindness and resilience remain an inspiration to children around the world as we mark the book’s 65th anniversary this year. The British Embassy is delighted to donate Paddington books to over 2,000 students at 10 public schools around DC, in partnership with HarperCollins, so that a whole new generation of students can enjoy this iconic British story. I was delighted to receive a welcome present from one of the students and am proudly wearing my Monarchs wrist band to Christmas parties this evening.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

Government announces new unit to clamp down on companies evading sanctions.

Companies who are found to be dodging strict trade sanctions, including those imposed since the war in Ukraine, will face tougher penalties with the creation of a new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI).

Industry and Economic Security Minister Nusrat Ghani is today [11 December 2023] announcing the creation of a new unit to crack down on companies dodging Russian sanctions.

The OTSI will be responsible for the civil enforcement of trade sanctions, including those against Russia. The unit will help businesses comply with sanctions and investigate potential breaches, issuing civil penalties and referring cases to HMRC for criminal enforcement where needed.

Its remit will involve activity by companies who may be avoiding sanctions by sending products through other countries.

The news comes as the UK is expected to announce fresh sanctions targeting the latest items Ukraine has found on the battlefield such as machine parts and electronics, as well as products that raise revenue to fund Putin’s war machine.

Industry and Economic Security Minister Nusrat Ghani said:

Our package of sanctions, the most severe ever imposed on a major economy, is working – goods imports from Russia to the UK have already plummeted by 94%.

But we are leaving no stone unturned in our commitment to stopping Putin’s war machine. That means clamping down on sanctions evaders and starving Russia of the technologies and revenues it needs to continue its illegal invasion.

Today’s announcement will help us do that, and send a clear message to those breaking the rules that there is nowhere to hide.

The UK and our international partners have implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, with an unprecedented £20 billion of UK-Russia goods trade now sanctioned. The evidence shows the sanctions are working, with UK-Russia trade falling to historic lows.

Sanctions Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Today’s announcement will further strengthen the UK’s sanctions system and allow us to maximise the impact that trade sanctions have on those who continue to flout the global rules.

Without international sanctions, we estimate Russia would have over $400 billion more to fund the war, enough to fund the invasion for a further four years. We are hitting Russia where it hurts and starving Putin of the resources he needs to fund his illegal war on Ukraine.

OTSI will launch in early 2024 once the new legal requirements are in place and will reinforce existing work the government does to ensure UK trade sanctions are adhered to.

Background

• reductions in UK goods imports from Russia calculated comparing March 2021 to February 2022 to March 2022 to February 2023

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2023.

The UK government has announced funding to support the documentation, investigation and prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.

• UK announces £3.7 million package to support the documentation, investigation, and prosecution of war crimes committed in Ukraine
• package includes funding for the training of Ukrainian prosecutors in the use of open-source intelligence to identify potential crimes, and the expansion of the OPORA War Crimes Documentation Centre in Poland
• latest announcement builds on previous pledge of up to £2.5 million and will help Ukraine hold Russian forces accountable for atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people

The UK government has today announced a further £3.7 million of funding to support Ukraine as it pursues justice for the victims of Russian atrocities.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Office of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General has recorded more than 110,000 cases of war crimes. In the face of Russian atrocities, the UK has stood with Ukraine, and played a leading role in ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

Backed by a previous UK pledge of £2.5 million, Ukrainian authorities have already made significant progress in bringing those responsible for atrocities against the Ukrainian people to justice, successfully prosecuting over 50 Russian individuals for war crimes committed in Ukraine.

The UK has now committed an additional £3.7 million of funding to support the documentation, investigation and prosecution of war crimes. UK-funded projects will give the Ukrainian authorities new skills in verifying and utilising open-source intelligence, including materials uploaded by mobile phones to social media, and train prosecutors in preparing strong and well-evidenced legal cases.

FCDO Minister of State, Lord Tariq Ahmad said:

The despicable atrocities we’ve seen in Ukraine have required the Ukrainian authorities to adapt to unprecedented challenges, necessitated by Russia’s illegal invasion of a sovereign democratic state.

Through our financial backing and legal expertise, the UK will continue to stand with Ukraine as they hold perpetrators to account and ensure that survivor-centred justice is served. Our support for our Ukrainian allies is unwavering.

Alongside support for war crimes investigations, the government has also allocated over £200,000 to expand the OPORA War Crimes Documentation Centre in Poland, which documents witness testimonies from Ukrainians who have been forced to flee the war. This funding is a key component of the new Trilateral Partnership on War Crimes Documentation, involving the UK, Poland, and Ukraine, which seeks to hold members of the Russian state and military accountable for their actions.

It follows Security Minister Tom Tugendhat’s visit to the centre in early 2023. During this visit, the minister met Ms. Olga Aivazovska, Chair of OPORA, and was briefed on the centre’s work to collect preliminary testimony from Ukrainian refugees who were witnesses of war crimes conducted in Ukraine.

Operated by Ukrainian staff, the non-governmental organisation OPORA provides a professional service, building trust within the diaspora left deeply affected by the conflict. In the past year, over a thousand Ukrainians have contributed their testimonies to the centre.

UK Government Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat said:

When I visited the OPORA War Crimes Documentation Centre, I heard first-hand about the horrendous crimes committed by members of the Russian military in Ukraine.

It brought home to me not only the horrors of this war but also the importance of ensuring those responsible face the full consequences of their actions when this shameful war comes to an end.

By ensuring the war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people are properly documented we can help ensure that those responsible are held to account for their barbarity and begin to offer some sense of redress for its victims.

Chair of OPORA, Olga Aivazovska said:

Unpunished evil is only growing, therefore, the investigation of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine is an integral component of comprehensive security in Europe.

According to OPORA’s sociological research conducted in Ukraine, 16% of citizens have witnessed war crimes, and 51% believe victory and peace without justice are impossible. That is why our work, together with the UK and the law enforcement bodies of Poland and Ukraine, helps the witnesses staying in Poland achieve justice.

We believe that every victim who is now safe should be informed what war crimes and crimes against humanity are, what legal actions are possible in this case, and what is the role of a witness in the justice process.

We help everyone get psychological and legal help as much as possible. We are grateful for the trust of the UK and Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, who have offered their help, and we are all committed to the end-result for the sake of justice.

Today’s announcement builds upon a range of existing UK-backed initiatives designed to support accountability efforts in Ukraine and to strengthen the national response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

To date, UK support has enabled hundreds of police officers, investigators, prosecutors and judges to work more confidently and effectively on complex investigations and forensic responses, improving the quality of their evidence-gathering and judgements and strengthening survivor-centred practices.

Over 200 civil society representatives have also received training in psychosocial and legal support for CRSV survivors, while over 30,000 forensic medical kits have been supplied to Police Officers for CRSV cases. Vital expertise from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Team of Experts has supported the development of a Ukrainian national CRSV Action Plan.

Alongside funding for Ukraine’s domestic investigations, the UK is supporting the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in Ukraine and across the world, including through an additional £2 million of funding announced to help improve their capacity and capability to conduct investigations.

Following Ukraine’s invitation, the UK is participating in the Core Group shaping thinking on how to ensure criminal accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This includes exploring options for a new ‘internationalised’ tribunal – a specialised court integrated into Ukraine’s national justice system with international elements.

In November, the UK, alongside the US and EU, launched the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) Multi-National Fund. This fund will allow more international partners to provide funding for Ukraine’s domestic accountability efforts through the ACA, enhancing international support for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.

Background

• read more information about OPORA on the OPORA website
• the UK was a founding member of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) in May 2022, joint with the US and the EU, and previously pledged £2.5 million in July 2022 to support Ukrainian prosecutions and investigations in coordination with this group. This latest announcement of £3.7 million will also be coordinated with the ACA and its implementing partners

The UK’s funding so far has enabled:

• 153 judges and 36 prosecutors to receive training in forming war crimes judgements
• more than 150 regional prosecutors and investigators to be trained to ensure that robust, evidenced war crimes cases can be brought to trial
• 78 members of the National Police of Ukraine to be trained in forensic response
• the deployment of Mobile Justice Teams 14 times to sites of alleged war crimes to aid the collection of evidence
• 227 representatives of civil society organisations to be trained in psychosocial and legal support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)
• police officers to receive 30,000 forensic testing kits for gender-based violence and CRSV cases
• the appointment and deployment of former ICC judge Sir Howard Morrison KC as independent adviser to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine
• a member of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Team of Experts to support the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General to develop their standards and procedures for investigating and prosecuting cases of CRSV in Ukraine
• in addition, the UK continues to support the work of the ICC and its independent investigation into the situation in Ukraine, welcoming the coordination of investigations, as seen by the opening of an ICC field office in Kyiv in September