Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the first Muslim to serve in the British Cabinet, addressed NYU students recently on her life in politics and her domestic and international work.
In the NYU President’s Colloquial Room, overlooking Washington Square, Britain’s Senior Foreign Office Minister and most senior Asian politician engaged with students during an event organized by the Islamic Society at NYU, the British Council and the British Consulate in New York.
The second of five girls, born in a working class family in the north of England, Baroness Warsi explained that her father had always been supportive of her and wanted her to pursue her own dreams. She started her career as a solicitor, defending the rights of women victims of domestic violence and campaigning against racial bigotry. After spending time living in Pakistan, supporting a range of grassroots projects, she returned to Britain, determined to make a difference and help address the growing gap of understanding that divided the West and the “Muslim world.”
Students were keen to hear about how her background shaped her outlook on foreign policy. The Senior Minister explained that she was constantly reminded of the duality of her identities. Her goal is to convince all sides that multiple identities are not mutually exclusive. That is why there is, according to her, a role the government must play in engaging with faith communities and facilitating dialogue among people of all faiths and none, and as the country’s Minister for Faith and Communities, she has been at the forefront of driving this mission.
Baroness Warsi’s perspective on foreign policy was also shaped by her experiences as a Muslim. A frequent visitor to Bosnia-Herzegovina, it was the international community’s failures in Srebrenica that motivated her to back the campaign to defend civilians in Libya. Such action, she felt, was legitimate, as long as it was legal, had broad regional support, and ensured Libyan citizens had a seat at the table.
Asked about the UK’s relations with Pakistan, from where her parents originate, the Minister concluded that they had improved significantly over the past two years. The UK’s objective was to deepen its relations with the country and open up cultural relations – going beyond ministerial-level meetings in Islamabad and engaging with parties in places like Lahore and Karachi.
By Baroness Warsi
IN two years’ time it will be 100 years since the First World War began.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister launched the commemoration events for the centenary.
It’s a milestone which, I believe, will bring our nation closer together than ever before. Possibly closer than the Olympics, the Jubilee and the Royal Wedding.
Why? Because there is not a single person in this country who does not owe a debt to our war heroes.
Their legacy is our liberty.
And there should not be a single person, whatever their background, who should feel ‘left out’ of these commemorations.
Because whatever our class, colour or creed, our brave troops fought for freedom that we all enjoy.
As the Minister with responsibility for integration, I am determined that the centenary commemorations are inclusive and inspiring.
I also want us to honour our forgotten heroes.
Because it wasn’t just ‘our boys’ defending Britain; it was our girls too – millions of women working in munitions factories, tilling the land and holding the fort back home.
And ‘our boys’ on the front line weren’t just Tommies; they were Tariqs and Tajinders as well – one million Indian soldiers fighting and dying for our country.
There were also black British Soldiers, like the iconic footballer Walter Tull, who died in 1918 as he helped his men retreat in heavy gunfire.
These are the people we must remember – people who everyone in today’s Britain can relate to.
I’m sure the far right will try and get their grubby hands on this moment, just as they try to own our Union flag.
When I went head to head with BNP leader Nick Griffin on Question Time – the first time his party was given an airing on the Beeb – he was slapped down for stealing patriotism for his own racist ends.
As the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, I proudly bang the drum for Britain’s heritage, because it’s mine too.
After all, both my grandfathers fought with the Allies.
I am also proud to serve in a government which respects our troops and resources them properly, honouring our Military Covenant.
So two years from now, 100 years since the Great War began, let us all come together under one flag to remember what our heroes did for every single one of us.
INTRODUCTION
Your Grace.
It is an honour to be included in today’s event and to speak to so many illustrious figures in both communities.
And while your departure is a sad occasion…
It is also an opportunity for celebration, as we reflect on your time as Archbishop of Canterbury.
In which you have done so much to promote the role of religious belief as a source of truth and compassion within society.
And so much to enhance the relationship between Christians and Muslims, at home and abroad.
FAITH
When it comes to the position of faith in Britain
The Archbishop and I are singing from the same hymn sheet.
We have a common foe: aggressive, intolerant secularisation.
We have a common belief: in freedom of religion and the freedom to express religion.
The Archbishop was deemed radical when he called for Muslims to be able to wear a headscarf.
Just as I was attacked when I argued that Christians should be able to wear a crucifix.
To think: a Christian standing up for Muslims, and a Muslim standing up for Christians.
But the fact is that we are all standing up for faith.
And we know that the only way to tackle anti-religious bigotry, discrimination and even persecution
Is for people of all faiths – and of none – to come together and speak out against them.
To let the world know that all people of goodwill, whatever their faith, have a respected and honoured place in British society and are able to make their own, complementary contributions to the public good.
ISLAM
The Archbishop has led the way on this.
First, through his interfaith projects here in Britain.
Such as the Christian Muslim Forum and the Building Bridges series of events.
Second, through engaging with people from around the world of other faiths.
For example when we met the Secretary General of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation – the second largest multi-lateral organisation after the UN.
And third, through his thoughtful and ground-breaking scholarship, such as the lectures of which we celebrate the translations today.
Where the Archbishop is reaching out to the Muslim world.
Showing that our different faiths do not divide us by ensuring our languages do not divide us.
For just as St Jerome brought the Bible to the general public by translating it.
So too are you bringing your messages of religious freedom, tolerance and progress to millions more people.
CONCLUSION
So congratulations, Your Grace, on all you have achieved.
We wish you the very best of luck in your new post in Cambridge.
Today we see your speeches published in Urdu and Bangla.
But I know in the years to come we will see your words in GujuratI, in Arabic, in Somali, in Turkish and in many more languages.
And we will continue to see your good work having a huge influence on our world.
ENDS
More details at http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2643/archbishops-addresses-translated-for-islamic-audiences
LONDON: Overseas Pakistanis have offered to help Malala Yousafzai if she is sent to London for treatment. Although surgeons have removed a bullet from the head of Malala, 14, and she is in stable condition but concerns remain about her health and leading British Pakistanis have expressed their desire to help the young rights’ activist who spoke out against Taliban.
Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi condemned the “cowardly attack” on Malala Yousufzai. She told The News that her activism is inspirational and she “bravely highlighted the need for education to be accessible to all children in Pakistan”.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to Malala and her friends and family, and to the people of Pakistan who have suffered so much from terrorism. They will always have our sympathy, our understanding, and our robust support in confronting terrorism and supporting education for all in Pakistan. It is my hope that Malala and all Pakistani children will be able to reach their full potential without the threat of terrorism hanging over their youth.”
Warsi said her own daughter was 14 years old but she and her peers were lucky to live in peace and security in Britain. “When the second and third generation Pakistanis turn on their TVs, it saddens them but also gives them inspiration the way brave young girls like Malala are standing up for the rights and freedoms of the whole world.” Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan called the attack on Malala was an “outrageous act”. He said, “She is symbol of Pakistan’s resilience, represents our future and youth. We must fight back and eliminate these rascals who are destroying our country. These people are not Muslim. We need to rethink because we have diverted ourselves from the vision of Jinanh and allowed free hands to terrorists. We must eliminate these barbarians.” Since Taliban gunmen in the Swat valley shot the young girl, hundreds of people called offices of Jang and Geo and offered to help Malala’s family through contribution towards her medical treatment, education and rehabilitation. Attack on Malala has sparked outrage among Pakistanis all over the world. Prayers have been held for her life and recovery at homes and in mosques across Britain. Renowned Pakistani neurologist surgeon Dr Irfan Malik offered to the government of Pakistan that he will bear all costs of Malala’s treatment in the UK and would get her treated at a top Harley Street clinic.
“If the government of Pakistan feels that Malala needs treatment abroad at any stage, I will suggest that London has some the best clinics. I will make all the arrangements for her treatment. She is our pride. It’s a tragedy what happened to her but the fact is we mentioned her name with pride and relate ourselves to her.”
Human Rights Society of Pakistan (UK Chapter) offers to bear all costs of Malala Yousafzai’s treatment in the UK. Ahmed Shahzad told this correspondent, “I will pay for her full treatment in the UK, including travel costs. Malala is a national asset. She symbolizes everything good about Pakistani youth, their courage and determination.”
Taliban have issued further threats to her and it is understood that her normal life has already come to an end. The government of Pakistan cannot afford to let her live in her village or anywhere where her whereabouts are known or easily accessible. She may have to leave Pakistan to claim asylum abroad where her application will be easily accepted. In fact many western governments would line up to welcome her and offer her residency.
Baroness Warsi joined thousands of fans of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at a concert in Birmingham.
Rahat, a Qawwali singer famous for his Bollywood songs, met with Baroness Warsi during his third concert in Britain this year, demonstrating the rich cultural links between Britain and Pakistan.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to celebrating the strong ties between the UK and Pakistan. We have been telling the stories of the people behind these deep connections on social media, TV and press through a project called Celebrating Connections. Today’s concert highlights the importance of those musical connections.
Baroness Warsi said: “Rahat’s popularity in Britain demonstrates the close links between Britain and Pakistan. Everyone knows about our shared love for cricket, but our shared appreciation for the arts – including music like Rahat’s – is growing fast”.
The cultural connections between the UK and Pakistan were cemented earlier this year with the launch of the UK-Pakistan cultural roadmap.
The roadmap set out the wide range of cooperation that exists from the arts and sport, to strategic university partnerships to new partnerships between cultural institutions.
The close personal connections between citizens of both countries and our unique cultural links, are just some of the many distinctive characteristics in UK-Pakistan relations. These contribute to the unbreakable partnership between both countries.
I would like to thank the APPG for hosting this event, members of the expert group who have taken time out to attend this event, the other speakers on the panel, all of you who are here to support and most of all to Baroness Stern, for her tireless work and continued outspokenness on this issue over many years. It is clear there are issues which need to be spoken about and she should continue to be outspoken on this issue.
One of the important things that Baroness Stern said in her remarks was that this is not a European initiative. Being British, of Asian origin, Muslim by faith and Conservative in politics, and seeing the other speakers on the panel today, it is clear that those who oppose the death penalty come in many shapes and sizes.
In the early nineteenth century there were about 230 different offences carrying the death penalty in the UK. If you were caught stealing a sheep, cutting down the wrong tree or were judged to have “damaged Westminster Bridge”, you risked death.
Things have, quite rightly, changed. The UK’s journey towards abolition of the death penalty has taken us from the first Parliament-imposed restrictions in 1957, to abolition for all ordinary crimes in 1969 and for all crimes apart from in times of war in 1998, up to Britain’s commitment to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances in 2004. We have been on a journey.
Today as much as ever before, the death penalty remains a subject of the utmost importance. Over the next few minutes I want to make clear one, why we oppose the death penalty; two, talk about the global landscape on this issue; and three, set out what we are doing to encourage its abolition globally.
Why we oppose the death penalty
There was a question about reintroducing the death penalty in Britain on Radio 4’s Any Questions a couple of weeks ago following the murders of two women police officers – and you could tell from the audience reaction quite how strongly people felt against it.
That isn’t surprising: the question of a state’s right to take life set against a legitimate wish to punish and deter serious crimes is among the most difficult of moral dilemmas.
In Britain our view is clear: our long standing policy is to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. And by extension, to work towards its worldwide abolition.
Fundamentally, we believe that its use undermines human dignity; that there is no conclusive evidence of its value as a deterrent; and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.
The UK perspective
When talking about this, it’s easy to slip into abstractions. But we shouldn’t, because it’s about people.
When Timothy Evans and Derek Bentley were executed in 1950 and ’53, after flawed trials that led to posthumous pardons, it catalysed steps towards abolition in Britain. It reminded us of the inhumanity of capital punishment. And the risk – and tragedy – of getting it wrong.
In a world with countries that retain the death penalty, that risk still exists. Right now, there are twelve British nationals facing the death penalty overseas. One of the first things I did when I started my role was to ask my officials to print photos of them and give me information on their families. It is important to see them as people, not statistics.
Foreign Office staff are in constant touch with them. We do our best to give support to them and their families, and we forcefully make the case to the governments concerned that these people, no matter what they are believed to have done, should not die at the hands of state authorities.
Over the past year we have made representations on behalf of British citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, the Central African Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, and the US, to name a few.
It makes a difference: we judge that our interventions have helped to prevent death sentences, or to delay execution dates, giving time for further representations.
International trends
There has been growing international momentum towards abolition, particularly over the past two decades. Last year only 21 countries carried out executions, a figure which has fallen by more than a third over the last decade.
Steps taken towards abolition in recent years by Benin, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and the US States of Illinois and Connecticut are very encouraging; as is last year’s decision by the State of Oregon to introduce a moratorium on executions.
This progress is welcome – because no legal system is error-proof, and the death penalty leaves no room for error.
But despite this trend, some disturbing exceptions remain. We are deeply concerned by the increasing use of the death penalty: in Iran and Saudi Arabia, where public executions still take place; in Iraq, where 26 executions were recently recorded in a single week; and in the Gambia, which in August carried out nine executions after a moratorium of 27 years.
UK action
So, what does the British Government do?
We work relentlessly with our EU partners and others to gain support for abolition of the death penalty, or at least a moratorium on its use.
We seek dialogue with governments of countries which use the death penalty – to urge them to impose a moratorium, and to take steps towards abolition.
And the FCO continues to fund projects throughout the world to support those campaigning against it.
And whist doing this at the macro-level, we have an ever-watchful eye on the individuals.
UN resolution
In a few weeks’ time, the UN General Assembly will vote on the biennial resolution on the death penalty. It will again call for a moratorium rather than full abolition, allowing states that have suspended but not abolished capital punishment to give it their support.
There has been good progress since the last resolution in 2010. Several countries have either abolished the death penalty, or taken steps such as ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which addresses the death penalty. In addition, there are many states which keep the death penalty in their legislation but do not use it.
Our appeal, and my personal appeal at the UN General Assembly just a few weeks ago, is for countries to register an affirmative vote – or at least an abstention, if they have previously opposed the resolution. Doing so would send a clear signal of their desire to join the growing worldwide movement towards abolition.
Of the specific countries I have Ministerial responsibility for, five supported the resolution. These were from the Central Asian states and I am pleased to see some of their representatives here today.
Conclusion
Amnesty International has called the death penalty the “ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights”.
If we continue to work together and spread our message, I believe we can win the argument. And it’s important that we do, because capital punishment should have no place in the world today we live in today.
For a straight-talking Yorkshirewoman, Sayeeda Warsi has been unusually silent on her demotion in last month’s reshuffle. Until now. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to prise a space in her diary to catch up with her. Now a foreign office minister, Lady Warsi was in New York for the UN general assembly, and if she’s seething with resentment at herdemotion from Conservative chairman – a full cabinet role – to a departmental minister who merely attends cabinet, she’s covering it up pretty well.
“The reshuffle has happened. I am delighted with the job. I mean, God, Cathy, I am at the UN! Who could possibly say that’s not a fantastic job and I am throwing myself into it. When you sit in the General Assembly, and you are literally surrounded by the world, I am hugely privileged to be doing this job. It was a great privilege to serve my party; it’s an even greater privilege to serve my country”, she enthuses.
So far, so good for the sisterhood. It’s almost as if after a whispering campaign against her from the party grassroots and backbench (male) Tory MPs, she’s relieved to have a broader canvas to work on. And despite being formally cleared of cheating on her expenses in July, Lady Warsi has had a torrid summer – having been found to have breached House of Lords rules by failing to register her second home properly.
At the UN she’s assisting the foreign secretary in a campaign to secure justice for victims of rape in warzones. William Hague has promised to use the UK’s G8 presidency to try and get the world’s most powerful nations to help gather evidence and bring the perpetrators to justice.
It’s clearly a noble cause, but it’s not what Lady Warsi said she wanted to be doing. She openly pitched to carry on with her job as chairman, and when David Cameron sent her away with a flea in her ear, she reportedly “stormed off back to Yorkshire in a huff”.
Did she, I asked? “I don’t storm, I don’t do huffing. And I go to Yorkshire every week,” she retorts.
But she can’t quite disguise her disappointment at the fact that men outnumber women in the cabinet five to one. Contrast that with Sweden, Switzerland or France where men and women are at the top table in equal numbers.
“If you look at successive governments…we haven’t managed to achieve parity when it comes to women and men in terms of senior positions. I know David [Cameron] is committed to making that happen…we made huge progress in attracting women to parliament. We just need to make sure we keep on that track, that we do manage to attract good candidates for the next election, that we do manage to see women rising through the ranks,” she says.
Lady Warsi’s allies in Government believe she and others will exert pressure behind the scenes to ensure that the prime minister meets his pledge come the next election: a third of Government posts are occupied by women.
Most of Mr Cameron’s parliamentary colleagues think that’ll be a pretty tall order.
Baroness Jenkin, co-chair of Women2Win, which tries to encourage more women into politics, told me: “Speaking personally, I think this [the reshuffle] was an opportunity to make greater progress towards David Cameron’s 30 per cent target. But there are some great women in the pipeline who I am sure will be in government before the next election.”
Katie Ghose of the campaign group ‘Counting Women In’ says Mr Cameron’s pre-election pledge to have a third of ministerial jobs taken up by women by 2015 is at risk of becoming a broken promise.
One of those “in the pipeline” who many expected to become a minister at the reshuffle isn’t so confident. She wouldn’t go public for fear of incurring the wrath of the party hierarchy, but she told me privately there was “an inherent bias against women” because, in case you ever doubted it, the old boys’ network is still in operation. “Most of us don’t have years in the Conservative Research Department. We don’t have those connections,” she says.
So have women in this government fallen foul of the traditional networking opportunities and contacts enjoyed by their male colleagues, I asked Lady Warsi?
Her answer is revealing, and highlights just how far Tory women have got to go to get on an equal footing with the blokes.
“Women place much more value at the end of a working day. If you have hours then they would rather spend those hours being with family and much more productive work than hanging out in the bars networking. That does have an impact on the way that politics is done. But I think women can find their own ways of networking…that’s beginning to happen.”
Beginning…But not fast enough.
MPs – both male and female – I’ve spoken to suggest that the PM’s failure to promote more women to junior ministerial jobs this time is storing up problems for the future because yet again when the next reshuffle happens there won’t be enough experienced female candidates knocking on the door of cabinet.
The party – under the auspices of its new chairman Grant Shapps – is now under real pressure to ensure a healthy proportion of women at every level. And that starts with candidates.
To give him credit, Brooks Newmark, co-chairman of Women2Win, is prepared to set an informal goal most of his female colleagues shy away from. “I’d like to see at the next election 50 per cent of our seats to have women in them,” he says.
That’s not a target any of the women I spoke to are prepared to endorse. No one wants to be seen as the beneficiary of positive discrimination. But Conservative women are going to have to keep up the pressure on Mr Cameron if they’ve got any hope of getting into government in anywhere near the numbers they deserve.
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.
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.
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.”
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