Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Brown remembers the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting that we must learn the lessons of history.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

On 11 July we paused to remember the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to honour the survivors.

Mr Chair, 28 years ago in Srebrenica, genocide took place in Europe for the first time since 1945. The genocide claimed the lives of over 8,000 mostly Muslim men and boys, and led to the displacement of over 20,000 women and children who were forcibly expelled from their homes. We honour the memory of those killed, and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage and resilience shown by their families and by survivors. We stand with the families in their ongoing fight for justice.

The UK is committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to build a secure, stable, inclusive society, and heal the fractures caused by conflict. It is regrettable that we continue to see divisive and dangerous nationalist rhetoric, threats of secession, and open challenges to the constitutional order established by the Dayton Peace Agreement. The UK is committed to a single, sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will continue to take action in support of that. We also continue to urge political leaders to condemn any glorification of the perpetrators of war crimes, and to take action against genocide denial.

Mr Chair, as was the case in 2022, we remember Srebrenica this year in the shadow of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. We must learn the lessons of history. Terrible events such as the genocide at Srebrenica show the consequences of inaction. We owe it to the victims to create societies that are stable, inclusive and cohesive, and to fight against prejudice, hatred, fear and division wherever we find it. The greatest tribute we can give to those who lost their lives is to do everything we can to prevent such a horrific crime from ever being repeated.

As our Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, James Heappey, said during the UK National Srebrenica Memorial Day Ceremony earlier this month, we will never forget Srebrenica. We can demonstrate that best by doing everything in our power to ensure that the senseless violence of 28 years ago is truly a thing of the past.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Annual Progress Report on the OSCE Gender Action Plan – UK statement [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Brown thanks Secretary General Helga Schmid for presenting the Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the OSCE 2004 Gender Action Plan.

Thank you, Secretary General, for your presentation of the Annual Progress Report to the Permanent Council today.

As you mention in your Report, gender equality, empowering women in politics, and combatting all forms of violence against women and girls are crucial to the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security and stability. We appreciate the work of the organisation to ensure a gender perspective is included in all aspects of peace processes and conflict resolution, including in mediation.

The UK recognises the exceptional challenges faced by the organisation in promoting gender equality during the 2022 reporting period. Horrific levels of conflict-related sexual violence are being perpetrated in the OSCE region through Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine – as documented in successive Moscow Mechanism reports. There has been an alarming increase in reports of gender-based violence in temporarily Russian controlled areas – including abuse and harassment, sexual exploitation and economic abuse. At the same time, women are often the first responders to conflict. In Ukraine, women have been essential to the effective humanitarian, political, and security efforts in the defence of their country.

In this difficult political and regional context, the OSCE has delivered some excellent initiatives during the reporting period to promote gender equality. In particular, I would like to highlight the OSCE’s work in building women’s leadership in peace processes and conflict resolution, and targeted support and lifesaving assistance to women in Ukraine. The launch of the first OSCE Women Peace Leadership Programme was an important step in strengthening meaningful participation in peacebuilding. We commend initiatives such as the OSCE WIN programme bringing together human rights defenders from Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina, sharing best practice on accountability and protection of survivors.

The OSCE continues to have a key role to play in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. We appreciate the ongoing work of the OSCE field operations in supporting participating States in developing and implementing National Action Plans, including the examples in Serbia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan highlighted in the Report. The UK will continue to make efforts to improve our own record on WPS – including through increasing representation of women in our diplomatic, development, security and defence fields. As we know from hard-earned experience, the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women – in all their diversity, and at all levels of decision-making and leadership – leads to better outcomes during and after conflicts.

The UK is also pleased to note the progress made towards achieving gender parity in some – though not all – staff categories across the OSCE, and the launch of new initiatives focused on recruitment practices and standards of conduct. We were pleased to be able to support, through extrabudgetary funding, the development of staff training modules on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), supporting the Staff Instruction on PSEA issued last year.

Secretary General, I would like to thank once again all those who contributed to advancing gender equality and the WPS agenda in the OSCE over the reporting period. In particular, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Gender Equality Champions of 2022. This recognition of your key roles in promoting gender equality across the OSCE region is well-deserved.

Mr Chair, on behalf of the UK I would like to thank North Macedonia for your continued focus on gender equality as Chair this year, as well as Poland for their efforts during 2022. It is essential that gender continues to be fully integrated into this organisation’s work.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – General comment on human rights situation in Columbia [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Statement on technical cooperation and capacity-building in the field of human rights in Colombia. Delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr President.

Let me begin by thanking Colombia for presenting this timely and important initiative to the Council. We have valued their openness and transparency throughout the negotiations.

Colombia serves as an important example that resolving enduring differences is only possible through peaceful dialogue. We commend Colombia’s ongoing collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the intent of this text to strengthen this relationship.

The Colombian people have achieved substantial progress since the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Yet, as we recognised at the Security Council yesterday, several challenges remain to ensuring full implementation of the Peace Agreement and to securing lasting peace in Colombia.

The security situation has been given repeated attention by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and is detailed in the Truth Commission’s final report, a vital milestone on Colombia’s path to peace.

We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Truth Commissioner’s hard work and to the thousands of victims who gave evidence for their courage. We urge all parties to implement the Commission’s recommendations, and to support the committee that will supervise their implementation.

That is why the UK supports the appointment of an international human rights expert and the provision of technical assistance to support Colombia and relevant actors as they look to implement the recommendations of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition.

It is only right that international partners pursue and strengthen their assistance for Colombian-led efforts to tackle the underlying causes of violence and to securing lasting peace.

Mr President,

The UK has co-sponsored this draft resolution. We urge all members of the Council to join us in fully supporting without reserve Colombia’s request for assistance in the field of human rights.

Thank you.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Report by OSCE Head of Centre in Ashgabat – UK response [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown voices UK support for the OSCE Centre’s work in Turkmenistan, especially on border capability, gender equality, and climate.

Thank you, Chair. I would like to welcome you, Ambassador MacGregor, back to the Permanent Council, and thank you and your colleagues for your report and for the work undertaken at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat over the last year.

We are pleased that the Centre has increased the number and reach of its projects in Turkmenistan, especially among women participants. We are also pleased that, particularly through the visit of the OSCE Secretary General, the visibility of the Centre has remained high.

The United Kingdom and Turkmenistan have a close and productive relationship. This year we held the second annual Structured Dialogue with Turkmenistan, and last week, our Minister for Europe and Central Asia visited Ashgabat and met government interlocutors. We are committed to building cooperation across human rights, security, climate, economy and trade.

Chair, I would like to focus my remarks on three areas of the Centre’s work. First, on border capability, which has continued to develop since the last report and has the UK’s full support. The UK has been continuing its dialogue with Turkmenistan on the situation in Afghanistan, and recently our Minister for Europe discussed with the Turkmen Foreign Ministry the issues arising from terrorist threats emerging from Afghanistan. We are committed to working with Turkmenistan and the OSCE to mitigate these challenges.

Second, on gender equality. We are pleased that the work on promoting gender equality and support for victims of domestic violence has continued. The UK works through the UNFPA on gender-based violence and support for victims, and we co-chair the development partners group on gender issues. We are glad that the OSCE Centre has been able to work with this group. Nonetheless, the UK strongly urges Turkmenistan to address gender based violence and we encourage the Turkmen authorities to legislate accordingly.

Finally, on climate. We welcome the Centre’s dialogue on climate change issues and work with the Turkmen authorities to develop regulations for the supply of renewable electricity to the national power grid. My ambassador met the Turkmen Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection at the climate change conference here in Vienna last week, and briefly discussed areas of cooperation. We welcome the Turkmen authorities’ engagement on climate change issues and encourage the Centre to look for opportunities to raise the issue of methane emissions in future discussions.

Chair, to conclude, we were pleased to see the host government provide renovated premises to the field mission for the next ten years. This allows for some financial savings, and provides some security. But it is important to underline again the negative impact the continued non-agreement of the Unified Budget is having on the work of OSCE field operations, as highlighted in this Report. It is vital that field missions are adequately financed. We urge again participating States continuing to obstruct agreement of the Unified Budget to look beyond a narrow national focus, and to ensure all OSCE institutions have the funding they need to be able to effectively fulfil their mandates.

I would like to once again thank you, Ambassador MacGregor, and your team for your report, and wish you every success in future.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia must stop weaponising food – UK Statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown calls on Russia to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative and stop endangering global food security.

Thank you, Chair. In opening, the UK condemns the latest wave of Russian missile strikes against Kyiv, which put civilians in danger. They must end. We fully share the concern expressed about the OSCE monitors still in detention, and call for their release.

I would like to focus my statement today on the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Before February 2022, Ukraine was one of the world’s top agricultural exporters, feeding up to 400 million people globally. Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion has not only dramatically threatened Ukraine’s food security, but also put millions around the world at risk of hunger. This is because Russia has attacked Ukrainian agricultural infrastructure, blocked Ukrainian ports, and pillaged Ukrainian grain. However, hope was restored when the UN and Türkiye brokered a deal that enabled grain shipments to leave Ukraine, signing the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022.

A year on, the positive impact that the Initiative has had across the world is clear. It has been critical in stabilising global food prices and alleviating a global food security crisis. 33 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported under the Initiative since 1 August 2022. In particular, these exports have enabled countries that need it most to secure more affordable grain.

Crucially, the World Food Programme has once again been able to procure wheat from Ukraine at the same volumes as in 2021, purchasing 725,000 tonnes through the Initiative to support humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Despite these significant achievements, Russia has, once again, been destabilising the Initiative for its own ends. Inspections of ships have fallen from a peak average of ten per day last year to around two at the end of June 2023. Compared to March 2023, this fall in inspections has led to a 29% decrease in food exports by tonnage through the Initiative in April and a 66% decrease in May. Since 28 June 2023, Russia has not allowed new ships to join the Initiative. This arbitrary obstruction harms global food security by restricting supplies and causing food to be less affordable globally.

Mr Chair, the UK and our partners have been clear that Russia’s actions to worsen world hunger are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

On 17 July, the Black Sea Grain Initiative is due to be renewed. We urge Russia to cooperate with all parties to ensure the Initiative can continue to help the most vulnerable populations globally. If the Initiative is not renewed, up to 24 million tonnes of food, including from Ukraine’s upcoming harvest, will not reach global markets over the next year. The UN estimates that this would increase the numbers of undernourished people worldwide by millions.

Chair, Russia must cease its callous actions and stop playing games with global food security. The UK, along with the wider international community, will continue to support those worst affected by the global food crisis. We will continue to provide humanitarian aid and economic support for those who need it most in Ukraine. We will not stand by whilst the world’s most vulnerable people suffer because of Russia’s actions. The UK calls on Russia to agree to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative beyond 17 July, to enable it to operate as intended, and to stop using food as a weapon.

Finally, Chair, I would like to reiterate the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine as it fights for freedom and peace. We will continue working in unity with partners to achieve this. As NATO leaders said in their communique this week from Vilnius, and I quote, ‘We reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine in the heroic defence of their nation, their land, and our shared values.’

Thank you, Chair.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Giacometti bronze chandelier at risk of leaving UK [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 13 July 2023.

Export bar placed on £2.9 million chandelier to allow time for a UK institution to acquire the work.
- Avant-garde bronze chandelier commissioned by Peter Watson in 1940s
- Giacometti is regarded as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century
A unique bronze chandelier designed by renowned Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti shortly after the Second World War is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found.

The chandelier, which is worth £2,922,000 plus VAT, is made from bronze and has a multi-layered armature, with sharply pointed branches radiating out from a central stem. Each socket is decorated with organic detailing and hanging from the base of the main stem is a punctuated sphere.

The piece was commissioned in 1947 from Giacometti by Peter Watson, a significant figure in the cultural life of mid-century Britain whose patronage of the arts and the influential Horizon magazine helped shape modern British painting, sculpture, and literature.

The piece is particularly valuable given Giacometti is widely regarded as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and it was commissioned specifically for the offices of Horizon magazine. As a result, the chandelier is of particular interest for the study of mid-century European avant-garde art.

Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

Giacometti’s masterful exploration of space and use of bronze in this extraordinary chandelier provided a centrepiece for cultural discussion in post-war London as it hung in the offices of avant garde magazine, Horizon.

It is a prime example of sculptors blurring the boundaries between function and art in the decorative arts.

The minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

Andrew Hochhauser KC, Chair RCEWA said:

Giacometti’s bronze chandelier was commissioned in about 1947 by Peter Watson, a significant figure in cultural life in the mid-20th century, a great patron of the arts in Britain and the co-founder of the literary and cultural magazine, Horizon, for its new offices in Bedford Square. It is an exceptional realisation of Giacometti’s work in the decorative arts and is the only known UK decorative art commission by the leading 20th century sculptor. It offers outstanding opportunities for the study of this neglected area of Giacometti’s output and the meeting of European avant-garde art and decorative arts in the mid-twentieth century. I sincerely hope it can find a home in this country where it can be studied and enjoyed.

The committee made its recommendation on the basis that the chandelier met the first, second and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding connection with our history and national life, its outstanding aesthetic importance and its outstanding significance to the study of Giacometti’s work in the decorative arts and the meeting of European avant-garde art and decorative arts in the mid-20th century.

The decision on the export licence application for the chandelier will be deferred for a period ending on 12th November 2023. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the chandelier at the recommended price of £2,922,000 (plus VAT of £104,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for four months.
July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on Teachers’ Pay [July 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 July 2023.

The Prime Minister, the Education Secretary, the General Secretaries of the four education unions and General Secretary Elect of NEU made a joint statement on Teachers’ pay.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, the General Secretaries of the four education unions – Mary Bousted, Kevin Courtney, Geoff Barton, Paul Whiteman and Patrick Roach – and General Secretary Elect of NEU, Daniel Kebede, said:

This is the largest ever recommendation from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). A 6.5% increase for teachers and school leaders recognises the vital role that teachers play in our country and ensures that teaching will continue to be an attractive profession. The Government has accepted the STRB’s recommendation and has agreed to bring forward wider reforms to reduce teacher and leader workload in partnership with all four unions.

Importantly, the Government’s offer is properly funded for schools. The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March – building on the additional £2 billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement. The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to £40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.

ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU will now put this deal to members, with a recommendation to accept the STRB recommendation. This deal will allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action and resume normal relations with government.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement – On the launch of an ICBM by North Korea [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Following the launch by North Korea of another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) conducted on July 12 2023, G7 foreign ministers gave a joint statement.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s brazen launch of another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) conducted on July 12, 2023, following the launch using ballistic missile technology conducted on May 31, 2023 along with the launches of two ballistic missiles on June 15, 2023.

North Korea continues to expand its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and to escalate its destabilizing activities. These launches pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and stability, and undermine the global non-proliferation regime. They are a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), which prohibit North Korea from conducting any further launches that use ballistic missile technology. We once again call on North Korea to refrain from any other provocative actions.

We reiterate our demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner and fully comply with all obligations under the relevant UNSCRs. North Korea cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear-weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

We call for a quick, strong, and unified response by the UN Security Council (UNSC). The frequency of North Korea’s repeated blatant violations of UNSCRs juxtaposed with the UNSC’s corresponding inaction because of some members’ obstruction is cause for significant alarm. We call on all UN Member States to fully and effectively implement all UNSCRs, and urge the UNSC Members to follow through on their commitments. We call on North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept the repeated offers of dialogue put forward by Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea.

North Korea’s decision to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the welfare of the people in North Korea is aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation.

The G7 remains committed to working with all relevant partners toward the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to upholding the rules-based international order.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Paul Darling OBE KC and Anne Lambert CMG reappointed to the Horserace Betting Levy Board. [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 13 July 2023.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Paul Darling OBE KC as Chairman for a 4 year term and Anne Lambert CMG as Independent Member for a 2 year and 9 month term commencing on 01 April 2024.

Paul Darling OBE KC

Appointed for a 4 year term commencing 01 April 2024.

Paul is a King’s Counsel specialising in commercial and construction law at 39 Essex Chambers, London and he has been Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board since 1 April 2020. He has undertaken a number of public appointments, having been on the board of the Tote (Horserace Totalisator Board) before privatisation between 2006 and 2008, and then a government appointed member of the Horserace Betting Levy Board between 2008 and 2014. He was also Chairman of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority between 2009 and 2015. More recently he has been Chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers, the former trade association for licensed betting offices.

Anne Lambert CMG

Appointed for a 2 years and 9 months term commencing 01 April 2024.

Anne has been an independent member of the Horserace Betting Levy Board since 1 April 2020. She is currently also a Board member of the Civil Aviation Authority. She was previously an Inquiry Chair at the Competition and Markets Authority from 2014-2019 and a Board member from 2016-2018. Previously Anne worked for the UK Government for 30 years, focusing on regulation (insurance, telecommunications, competition and aviation) and EU policy/negotiations. She was the UK’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU from 2003-2008.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board is remunerated £39,600 per annum. Independent Members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board are remunerated £19,665 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Paul Darling and Anne Lambert have not declared any significant political activity.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Veterans’ Gateway to be refreshed and taken into the Office for Veterans’ Affairs [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 July 2023.

The Government has launched a refresh of the Veterans’ Gateway, which will improve access to welfare services for ex-forces personnel.

The Veterans’ Gateway, which has already supported over a million veterans, will be run by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), at the heart of government, next year.

The OVA will identify and carry out improvements to the service. The Gateway will benefit from being at the centre of government, utilising the OVA’s skills and data to streamline access to support and make more efficient referrals.

During the course of the next year veterans will be able to feed into the improvement project, including testing the service to make it as effective as possible for the ex-forces community.

It enables veterans and their dependents to access state and charity support services in areas including physical and mental health, financial support, assistance with independent living, housing, and employment.

Since it began, there have been more than a million visits to the Veterans’ Gateway’s online guides, which offer advice on everything from financial help to housing and there have been around 100,000 contacts for support on issues such as living independently or getting back into employment.

The service has also referred around 16,000 people for additional specialist help from organisations such as the Royal British Legion since it began. The current Veterans’ Gateway will continue to run as normal during the transition period.

If you are in need of support, visit www.veteransgateway.org.uk, call 0808 802 1212 or text 81212.

July 24, 2023