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FCDO Human Rights
Human rights work at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17th March 2015
London, UK
I’m delighted to host this blog from Kirstie Smith, and grateful to her for approaching me with the suggestion. The Voluntary Principles (VPs) – and the UK’s support for them – are a good example of the UK’s pursuit of fairness. That can sound lofty, especially when we talk about how human rights, prosperity and […]
Read more on Guest blog by Kirstie Smith, Business and Conflict Desk Officer, Conflict Department, on the UK’s Chairmanship of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights | Reply
17th March 2015
Geneva, Switzerland
As nice as it can be living out here, there are many drawbacks to not being in the UK. It’s easy to lose touch with friends, to miss out on historic national moments and to forget about sending a card in time to arrive for Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, during the March session the only way […]
Read more on Statements of Intent | Reply
12th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Guest blog by Chloe Hamborg, Head of Political Section It has been educative and inspirational to hear comments of writers and activists from around the world this week on the theme of women’s rights, in recognition of International Women’s Day on 8 March. My “Week for Women” started on Saturday evening, attending an event at […]
Read more on International Women’s Day: My “Week for Women” | Reply
12th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Today the UK launches its Annual Human Rights Report for 2014, the purpose of which is to increase awareness of the UK’s role in promoting human rights worldwide, as well as to influence countries to take more concrete steps to meet their international human rights obligations. Why does the UK place such a high priority […]
Read more on Annual Human Rights Report for 2014 | Reply (1)
9th March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world on 8 March. International Women’s Day 2015 highlights the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments 20 years ago that sets the agenda for realising women’s rights. There have been many achievements since then, but many serious gaps remain. For example, […]
Read more on Guest blog: Celebrating International Women’s Day | Reply
9th March 2015
Geneva, Switzerland
While I was never the life and soul of all night parties – prone to having a little nap while others danced round me – I did at least used to be active and go out on a regular basis. These days, instead of thinking about finding new places to ski within easy reach of […]
Read more on Lessons in History | Reply (3)
8th March 2015
Beirut, Lebanon
As we mark International Women’s Day, discrimination and violence against women and girls remain all too present. In Lebanon we continue to lobby for better political representation for women, and to challenge inequality, an issue worth being undiplomatic about. I want to share with you guest blogposts by two great Lebanese women who have inspired […]
Read more on Crayons and Catharsis: Inspirational Lebanese Women on International Women’s Day | Reply (3)
3rd March 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Next week the Foreign Office will release its annual report on Human Rights and Democracy. It will showcase some of the work the UK has been doing to promote human rights around the world over the course of our current parliament (ie. the last five years), paying special attention to the value we place on […]
Read more on Human Rights and the Cyrus Cylinder | Reply
23rd February 2015
Paris, France
This year of 2015, we celebrate the 800th anniversary of one of the founding documents of English law, the Magna Carta. This was agreed between King John and his rebel barons in 1215. And actually one of the prominent barons at that time was Prince Louis, who went on to be King Louis VIII of […]
Read more on The Global Law Summit and the legacy of the Magna Carta | Reply (1)
19th February 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Most of the world’s population lives in countries where freedom of religion or belief is restricted in some way, and over a third where such limitations are extreme. Some 60 countries retain on their statute books laws against blasphemy, or apostasy, with often draconian punishments for those who transgress. And yet, as long ago as […]
Read more on #freedomtobelieve | Reply
