Thank you Mr Chair,

The UK was honoured to host the International Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in London this week.

100 media representations attended; 47 pledges were signed by countries, international organisations and entities; 31 countries signed up to 8 statements and we ran 17 thematic sessions at the event.

Over 800 faith, belief, government and civil society leaders from over 100 countries from every continent shared practical lessons on how to protect freedom of religion or belief around the world.

This fundamental right is covered in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is also, of course, well covered by our shared OSCE commitments and work.  This includes commitments reaffirmed in Copenhagen in 1990 on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and through the practical work of ODHIR.

Russia, despite freely signing up to OSCE commitments on freedom of religion or belief has, through its war of aggression in Ukraine had an impact on people’s ability to practice their faith or belief. We have seen innocent civilians having to shelter from Russia’s indiscriminate bombardment in places of worship. Churches, synagogues, and mosques have been reduced to rubble. Religion and belief is proving to be collateral damage from Putin’s aggression.

This conference is therefore very timely. It provided an important opportunity to share best practice and strengthen international alliances, such as the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance. We welcome that a number of states here today made national pledges to work together to promote FoRB.

The UK also announced £500,000 of funding to support everyone’s “fundamental freedom” to follow a religion or belief. This includes £200,000 for the protection and promotion of FoRB and £300,000 to provide British legal expertise to countries where FoRB is under pressure.

Mr Chair, we need greater collective action to ensure the right to freedom of religion or belief is protected for everyone, everywhere. Ensuring that we meet our OSCE commitments is an excellent way to start.  Thank you.

Mr. Chair,

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of 43 participating States: Albania, Andorra, Canada, the European Union and its Member States, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an occasion to reaffirm our strong commitment to prevent and eradicate torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Today, we do so against the devastating backdrop of Russia’s brutal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

We are deeply alarmed by the various credible reports, including the report from the first mission under the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism to Ukraine, about the alleged use of torture and other ill-treatment, including reports of rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as enforced disappearances, against civilians and members of armed forces during Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We strongly condemn these reported violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law and stand firm that those responsible must be held to account. We stand in solidarity with torture victims and survivors in Ukraine and around the world, as well as their families and communities affected.

Mr. Chair,

This year, we mark the 35th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Convention requires States parties to criminalize torture and to undertake to prevent other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Convention has been ratified by all OSCE participating States.

Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are violations of human rights and international humanitarian law as well as grave and abhorrent violations of human dignity. Our OSCE commitments and international obligations are abundantly clear: Any forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are unequivocally prohibited, under all circumstances, without exceptions. Regrettably – and despite these clear commitments and obligations – torture and other ill-treatment, as well as disappearances, continue to persist in the OSCE region, both in peacetime and in times of war. Credible reports of Russia’s actions in Ukraine constitute the most recent appalling example, but not the only one.

Mr. Chair,

More action is needed to end torture and other ill-treatment in our region. We echo the call of the Director of ODIHR in his statement dated 24 June 2022 to fight impunity for acts of torture and other ill-treatment. Holding perpetrators to account is critical for the victim’s redress, and it is crucial if we are to prevent torture and other ill-treatment from happening in the future. A holistic, victim-centred, and gender-sensitive approach should always be at the basis of these efforts, not least when investigating and documenting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, including those involving sexual violence.

We are pleased that we were able to reaffirm and strengthen our shared commitments by adopting the 2020 Tirana Ministerial Council Decision on the Prevention and Eradication of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Now it is high time to honour our commitments through effective implementation in good faith.

We call on all participating States to make good use of ODIHR’s assistance and its internationally recognized expertise in this field. In addition, we advocate for the participating States to actively consider as a matter of priority to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).

Mr. Chair,

While we as participating States bear the primary responsibility to eradicate torture, we would like to express our strong support to the tireless and important work of human rights defenders and civil society organisations in all areas of anti-torture efforts. They should always have access to safe spaces enabling them to speak out and fight all forms of torture and other ill-treatment without risk of reprisal.

In closing, we jointly reaffirm our clear commitment to uphold the absolute prohibition of torture and to step up our efforts to end the use of torture and other ill-treatment in the OSCE region. We will ensure that the topic remains high on the OSCE agenda, and we will continue our joint efforts to end impunity for acts of torture.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

On Thursday 30 June, Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Chief Inspector James (Jimmy) Carr and Nicola (Nikki) Dutton, MDP Head of Safety, Health and Environmental Protection (SHEP), received a joint National Operation Talla Award for Governance and Coordination.

This accolade was awarded in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the UK policing response throughout the pandemic, in their roles within the MDP Covid Management Team.

Jimmy and Nikki acted quickly to manage the impact of COVID-19 on the MDP workforce, reducing infection levels with swift and robust control measures, which maximised the safety of staff and ensured continued operational delivery. They also guided, coached, and mentored partner agencies, sharing methodology and processes which benefited the wider defence service.

Jason Gwillim, MDP Assistant Chief Constable Territorial Operations, Crime and Support, said:

Many congratulations to Jimmy and Nikki, and I thank you both for helping to keep people as safe as possible, and the organisation running during very challenging times.

Although I’ve only recently taken up post with the MDP, I understand the difficulties and risks the pandemic has presented for the force, and I am so pleased that Jimmy and Nikki’s hard work has been nationally recognised.

Following the awards, Jimmy and Nikki paid tribute to everybody involved in the MDP response to COVID-19.

Jimmy said:

We’re so very proud to receive this award, but in doing so we recognise that what we achieved was not done in isolation, and for that reason we dedicate this award to the outstanding collective efforts and contributions of our fantastic MDP colleagues, stakeholders and partners.

Nikki said:

From the Force Welfare Officer to the Defence Police Federation and Trade Unions, to the MDP Test, Trace and Isolate Team and the Force Control Room, to Finance, Procurement, Stores and Corporate Communications, to station Senior Police Officers and all the officers out on the ground, whether in uniform or not and whether attending the workplace or working from home, everyone played their part in helping to keep people safe and ensure operational delivery was maintained.

Operation Talla was the national policing response to the Coronavirus pandemic, with joint oversight by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and National Police Coordination Centre.

The National Operation Talla Awards ceremony was hosted at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London, and presented by writer and broadcaster, Alfie Moore. Guests were joined and thanked by both the Home Secretary and Policing Minister.

The awards provided an opportunity to view the pandemic from a national perspective, recognising and commemorating those who led, shaped, and delivered the national response, working to equip those on the front line. At least half of the UK’s territorial forces were represented in the awards, alongside colleagues from law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners.

Further information

Earlier this year, Jimmy was also presented the Association of Police Health and Safety Advisers (APSHA) Safety Award for his contributions to health and safety during the pandemic, and for making it relevant to operational police officers.

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