The UN Human Rights Council concluded its 21st Session on Friday 28 September.
Baroness Warsi
Welcoming the session, Foreign Office Senior Minister of State, Baroness Warsi, said yesterday (2 October):
“It is crucial that the Human Rights Council is able to address human rights violations wherever they occur. This session of the Council ensured continued effective monitoring of critical human rights situations around the world and moved ahead important agendas.
“I welcome the extension of the mandate for the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which enables it to continue its valuable work, documenting human rights abuses and violations in the country. I was also encouraged by the strong condemnation in the resolution by the international community of the horrific violations perpetrated by the Syrian regime against their own people. This sends a strong signal that those who commit atrocities will be held to account.
“I was also pleased to see the mandate of the Independent Expert on the Human Rights Situation in Sudan renewed. It is critical that the Independent Expert is in a position to assess the human rights situation across the country, thoroughly and independently, and to offer advice and assistance on improving the systematic protection of human rights throughout the country. I am hopeful that the strengthened mandate, adopted by consensus, will allow him to do just that. Last week also saw the signing of agreements between Sudan and South Sudan, including on the rights of citizens in each other’s countries. The full implementation of those agreements will help contribute to the protection of human rights.
“The Council took another important step forward on business and human rights in this session and I look forward to the Working Group’s Forum Meeting in December to consider strategies for advancing this agenda. It is important that the Guiding Principles be implemented by States across the international community to achieve widespread respect for and protection of the many human rights affected by business activity.
“This session has also been important in raising awareness of the need to protect those who speak out in defence of human rights. I was encouraged by this session’s attention to the safety of journalists, and the need to protect the rights of individuals to peaceful assembly and association – offline and online. I was also impressed by the discussion on the protection of human rights defenders against reprisals for cooperating with the UN human rights system. The UK condemns any form of intimidation against those who work to support and protect human rights. We also look forward to further discussions on the important issue of Freedom of Religion and will be holding a conference in London in December on this.
“I was pleased that gender equality and the empowerment of women featured strongly in this session. The UK joined two widely supported initiatives on the important issues of preventing gender-based violence and on women’s sexual and reproductive health rights. We remain committed to driving forward women’s rights both in the UK and internationally. In New York last week, I supported the UN side event on preventing sexual and gender-based crimes in conflict and securing justice for survivors, which was co-hosted by the Foreign Secretary. During the event, we announced a contribution of £1 million to support the office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
“As we look ahead to our bid for election to the Council (2014-2016), we will continue to work with our international partners on these and other issues, to support the work of the Council and to ensure that this body responds appropriately to all violations of human rights wherever they occur.”
UK Statement by Baroness Warsi at the UN High Level Meeting on Countering Nuclear Terrorism – 28 September 2012
Baroness Warsi
Nuclear terrorism remains one of the greatest threats to our global peace and security.
A successful attack, no matter where in the world it came, would be catastrophic.
The UN Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) is one of the cornerstones of the international effort to counter this threat. It provides a legal basis for international cooperation in the investigation, prosecution and extradition of those involved in the preparation or execution of terrorist acts involving radioactive material or a nuclear device.
The UK ratified the Convention in September 2009, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining the highest possible international standards in countering the threat from nuclear terrorism.
But it is the crucial element of co-operation that I want like to focus on today. International cooperation to combat nuclear terrorism has been tremendous. The recent Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul once again catalysed the political will and technical expertise necessary to fulfil commitments made in Washington, two years earlier. 53 countries made over 100 new commitments to improving global nuclear security.
Encouragingly, at least 14 countries have ratified the convention since the 2010 Summit and a further 15 announced plans to do so in the 2012 Summit to ratify this convention and/ or the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection on Nuclear Material, another essential element of the global nuclear security architecture.
I recognise there are some challenges in promoting universal adherence to the UN Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
These include:
A perception among some States that they may not have to implement effective controls on nuclear and other radioactive material if they do not possess nuclear weapons or hold only limited quantities of materials for peaceful purposes; and
A possible lack of awareness within governments of this convention and its requirements and obligations; and a limited capacity and resource to draft, implement or enforce the necessary laws and regulations;
But against these challenges I would like to offer a brief reminder of the significant advantages of adhering to this convention. States that adhere:
are better able to investigate, prosecute and punish any acts relating to nuclear or radiological terrorism by non-State actors;
will enhance their national security and public health and safety;
demonstrate to others, including potential investors that they are a safe and responsible location for activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material;
comply effectively with their international reporting requirements.
Co-operation, assistance and advice are available to all States who want or need it.
I would highlight Security Council Resolution 1540 in this context, in particular the [1540] Committee of Experts, whose role is to monitor and assist states in adopting and effecting appropriate laws and activity to better prevent proliferation in or through their territory.
The UK will also be focussing on the effective implementation of Resolution 1540 as a priority for our 2013 Chair of the Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. Looking ahead, the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit, complemented by efforts such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, will continue to provide the momentum, political will, co-ordination and expertise, necessary to strengthen nuclear security still further.
I encourage countries, where appropriate to do so, to engage with international nuclear security initiatives and Conventions, and for those that have yet to ratify the UN International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, to do so.
At an event in New York yesterday, Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi signed a new agreement with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Baroness Warsi
The agreement is to strengthen cooperation across a range of important areas including peace and security, conflict prevention, human rights, science and technology, humanitarian assistance and culture. The Framework will allow for closer working between the UK and the OIC, a 56 state association promoting Muslim solidarity in economic, social, and political affairs. The Framework was developed following meetings between Baroness Warsi and Secretary General Ihsanoglu when he visited the UK in 2011.
Speaking after signing the agreement, Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi said:
“I am pleased to be signing a new agreement with the OIC today, an organisation which has an important role in making sure the voices of its members are heard on issues that matter to Islamic communities across the world. I look forward to a closer dialogue between the OIC and the UK, and identifying opportunities where we can work together. This is an opportunity to discuss the many shared interests we have – including conflict prevention, promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for religious freedom and combating intolerance on the ground of religion or belief.”
The Secretary General of the OIC Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said:
“I welcome the opportunities this agreement brings to increase the dialogue between the OIC and the UK and to broaden our co-operation. Recent events in the region have strengthened our commitment to work closely together on key international political, humanitarian, and social issues. Our common values, and shared drive to combat religious intolerance and discrimination underpin our work. We look forward to further developing our relationship.”
The UK appointed a Special Representative to the OIC, based in Jeddah, in 2011.
