UN Human Rights Council 50: UK statement on Ethiopia

World news story

The UK delivered a statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK is proud to have supported both the call for a Special Session on the conflict in northern Ethiopia last year, and the establishment of the International Commission to provide much needed international scrutiny of the actions of all parties to the conflict. We welcome the appointment of the Commissioners, including Rakhika Coomaraswamy to replace Fatou Bensouda, following her appointment as the Gambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Mr President,

While we strongly welcome the cessation of hostilities between the Government of Ethiopia and Tigrayan forces, we should be in no doubt that the situation on the ground remains dire for those caught up in the conflict. The ongoing and desperate humanitarian situation must be addressed as the absolute priority, and we urge all parties to ensure unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray and immediately restore services to the conflict affected regions.
Mr President,

A political solution is the only way to protect the unity of Ethiopia, avoid a descent back into conflict and chaos and to prevent further deaths and destruction of lives and livelihoods. Ensuring justice for the victims of human rights violations and abuses, and that the perpetrators are held to account without impunity, is a vital part of this.

We therefore thank the Commission for its update, and its commitment to impartiality. It has our full support, and we call on all parties to the conflict and regional partners to co-operate fully with its mandate.

Commissioners,

We would welcome specific guidance on the further support the international community can best provide to you in this first year of your mandate to enable you to work as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Thank you

Published 4 July 2022

Ukraine Recovery Conference: Foreign Secretary’s remarks, 4 July 2022

Thank you very much Prime Minister, thank you very much to President Cassis for hosting the conference today.

Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of freedom and democracy over autocracy. It will show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine have only produced a stronger, more prosperous and more united nation.

The United Kingdom is resolute in its support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and we will remain at Ukraine’s side as it emerges as a strong and thriving democracy.

We have led on support for Ukraine during the war and will continue to lead in supporting the Ukrainian government’s Reconstruction and Development Plan.

This needs to be a new Marshall Plan for Ukraine and it needs to be driven by Ukraine itself.

We will push for immediate investment and to drive economic growth because it’s absolutely imperative we get the Ukrainian economy going, we need to need able to support returning Ukrainians returning to Ukraine, we need to give people hope about the future, and we need to give them the means to be able to support themselves.

Reconstruction should embed reform, modernisation, technology and transparency.

The United Kingdom is very pleased to join the Joint Reconstruction Coordination Group.

It’s our view that it’s vital that that is open to partners right around the world, we need all of the free world supporting this effort. It must be open and comprehensive, and it must involve international organisations as are represented on stage at the moment.

It must involve all of those who have been active in helping Ukraine defend itself and who back Ukraine for the long term through thick and thin, whatever it takes.

The United Kingdom has committed to host next year’s 2023 Ukraine Reconstruction Conference. President Cassis, we have a lot to learn from you, it’s been a fantastic conference so far.

We are also exploring how we engage British business, tech companies and universities in that reconstruction effort, we’re looking at how we can use English and Scots law to ensure investors have the confidence to participate in the reconstruction effort, and we will use the might of the City of London and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development which is based in London to make Ukraine one of the world’s top destinations for investment in 2023.

We think there is a real opportunity for Ukraine to near-shore manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, to be an extremely vibrant economy going forward. As the Prime Minister mentioned the United Kingdom is actively looking at how we legislate to seize assets from those who have contributed to this appalling war, it’s vitally important that we acquire those funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The UK will be championing the recovery of the Kyiv region, in response to President Zelenskyy’s specific request from our Prime Minister for UK leadership. We believe that despite the appalling suffering, despite the terrible war crimes that have taken place, the devastation, and the human cost, that Ukraine will emerge stronger and more successful after this war.

President Zelenskyy you have demonstrated that Ukraine is a bastion of freedom and democracy, and it’s our duty as your friends and allies, as the free world, to do whatever it takes to support you.

Thank you.

UN Human Rights Council 50: Universal Periodic Review Adoption – Venezuela

World news story

The UK delivered this statement during the Universal Periodic Review Adoption for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you, Mr President,

The United Kingdom notes Venezuela’s engagement with the UPR. While we are encouraged by their acknowledgement of some UPR recommendations, it is unfortunate that two of the three recommendations put forward by the UK were rejected. Severe restrictions on political participation and the use of politicised courts to justify anti-democratic decisions are serious concerns for all who care about Venezuela.

We are worried by reports of continuing sexual exploitation, human trafficking and other human rights abuses in the Arco Minero del Orinoco. We look to the authorities to take urgent action to address these issues.

The social and political crises place a disproportionately heavy burden on women. We again recommend that Venezuela should ensure sexual and reproductive health rights for all, including access to maternal and newborn health care and safe abortions.

The UK encourages Venezuela to engage fully with the High Commissioner’s Office on the recommendations made during the UPR, as well as previous recommendations made by both the Office and the Fact Finding Mission. Implementation of these recommendations will improve the lives of all Venezuelans. We call for the involvement of independent civil society actors and for a mid-term report on progress.

Thank you.

Published 4 July 2022

Foreign Secretary’s remarks at the Ukraine Recovery Conference: 4 July 2022

Thank you very much Prime Minister, thank you very much to President Cassis for hosting the conference today. Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of freedom and democracy over autocracy.

It will show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine have only produced a stronger, more prosperous and more united nation.

The United Kingdom is resolute in its support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and we will remain at Ukraine’s side as it emerges as a strong and thriving democracy.

We have led on support for Ukraine during the war and will continue to lead in supporting the Ukrainian Government’s Reconstruction and Development Plan.

This needs to be a new Marshall Plan for Ukraine and it needs to be driven by Ukraine itself.

We will push for immediate investment and to drive economic growth because it’s absolutely imperative we get the Ukrainian economy going, we need to need able to support returning Ukrainians returning to Ukraine, we need to give people hope about the future, and we need to give them the means to be able to support themselves.

Reconstruction should embed reform, modernisation, technology and transparency.

The United Kingdom is very pleased to join the Joint Reconstruction Coordination Group.

It’s our view that it’s vital that that is open to partners right around the world, we need all of the free world supporting this effort. It must be open and comprehensive, and it must involve international organisations as are represented on stage at the moment.

It must involve all of those who have been active in helping Ukraine defend itself and who back Ukraine for the long term through thick and thin, whatever it takes.

The United Kingdom has committed to host next year’s 2023 Ukraine Reconstruction Conference.

President Cassis, we have a lot to learn from you, it’s been a fantastic conference so far.

We are also exploring how we engage British business, tech companies and universities in that reconstruction effort, we’re looking at how we can use English and Scots law to ensure investors have the confidence to participate in the reconstruction effort, and we will use the might of the City of London and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development which is based in London to make Ukraine one of the world’s top destinations for investment in 2023.

We think there is a real opportunity for Ukraine to near-shore manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, to be an extremely vibrant economy going forward. As the Prime Minister mentioned the United Kingdom is actively looking at how we legislate to seize assets from those who have contributed to this appalling war, it’s vitally important that we acquire those funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The UK will be championing the recovery of the Kyiv region, in response to President Zelenskyy’s specific request from our Prime Minister for UK leadership. We believe that despite the appalling suffering, despite the terrible war crimes that have taken place, the devastation, and the human cost, that Ukraine will emerge stronger and more successful after this war.

President Zelenskyy you have demonstrated that Ukraine is a bastion of freedom and democracy, and it’s our duty as your friends and allies, as the free world, to do whatever it takes to support you.

Thank you.

ENDS

Six new members join Ofqual Board

Six people with a range of education and other expertise have been appointed to the Ofqual Board by the Department for Education.

They include those who lead or have led an academy trust, a further education agency and a charity. They will each work on the Ofqual Board for 3 years from 1 July.

The Ofqual Board, which is led by Chair Ian Bauckham CBE, provides leadership and direction. It makes sure that Ofqual carries out its legal responsibilities and shows integrity and objectivity in regulating exams and assessment for general qualifications, such as GCSEs and A levels, as well as a wide range of vocational and technical qualifications, including apprenticeships.

Ofqual Chair Ian Bauckham CBE said:

I am delighted to be joined by a range of outstanding professionals with a rich range of experience including in education and public service. They are joining Ofqual at a very exciting time, now that the first set of GCSE, AS and A level summer exams since 2019 has taken place. They will bring invaluable insight and advice in the years ahead.

Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton said:

I look forward to working with the new board members, alongside those currently on the board and colleagues on the delivery of Ofqual’s newly published Corporate Plan, which sets out the work that Ofqual will do to make sure that regulated qualifications are trusted, understood, good quality and fair.

The new members of the Ofqual Board are :

Hardip Begol CBE – currently CEO of Woodard Academies Trust (due to step down at the end of July). Hardip has also previously held senior roles in government including in the Department for Education, and earlier in his career trained as a chartered accountant and worked as a public service consultant.

Mark Farrar – formerly CEO of the Association of Accounting Technicians and previously CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board. Previously sat on the board of the Skills Funding Agency.

Cindy Leslie – currently holds several non-executive positions, including Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee on the Architects Registration Board and Chair of Governors for Channing School, Highgate.

Eileen Milner – previously CEO of the Education Skills Funding Agency and COO of the Care Quality Commission.

Chris Paterson – currently Director of Impact at the Education Endowment Foundation and previously a senior policy advisor to the Secretary of State for Education. Chris is a qualified solicitor.

Clare Pelham – currently the Chief Executive of the Epilepsy Society, and a non-executive Governor of Birmingham City University and Director of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Clare has previously held executive director posts in the private, voluntary and public sectors.

Moreover, the Department for Education is re-appointing 3 current Ofqual Board members. They are Susan Barrett, a former audit partner at Deloitte; Matt Tee, who is currently Executive Director of Integration at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust; and Frances Wadsworth CBE, who is a Deputy Further Education Commissioner.