FCDO Human Rights
Human rights work at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Upon receiving the Hillary Clinton prize for women, peace and security last month, UK Foreign Secretary Hague said, “I believe that there is no greater strategic prize of the 21st century than the full social, political and economic empowerment of all women everywhere.” [Full speech] Tomorrow is the 103rd International Women’s Day. A great deal […]
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7th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The 8 of March is an important day for me. It is the 103rd International Women’s Day. I am sure lots of people would shrug and question why we need a day for women. For me the answer is obvious. We have come a long way since this day was established in 1911 but there […]
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7th March 2014
Beirut, Lebanon
In the 21st century we get angry about many small things: traffic jams, power cuts or a failed internet connection. We get plenty of opportunities for all three in Lebanon. But last Friday I joined an event about an issue worth getting really furious about. The Beirut Bar Association launched a Human Rights Institute booklet […]
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6th March 2014
Windhoek, Namibia
08 March is the 103rd UN International Women’s Day (IWD). Protection of women’s rights is one of six key human rights priorities for the UK. The FCO has made strong statements on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and on sexual violence in conflict. The UK is hosting a Global Summit to End Sexual Violence […]
Read more on UN International Women’s Day 2014 – Guest Blog on Gender Based Violence by Yolande Engelbrecht, Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) | Reply
6th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Many people around the world will be celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. The theme this year is “inspiring change”. I have met many women from across Sudan who are doing just that: inspiring change in business, in education, in civil society or in their local communities. There are many examples of the positive […]
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6th March 2014
Geneva, Switzerland
A lot has happened here since the end of the last session. Starting with the most important, I became a dad again, when my little girl entered the world last November. My son had cleverly timed his birth 3 years ago with the Human Rights Council’s annual day on the rights of the child but […]
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11th February 2014
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
This is a guest blog by Deputy British High Commissioner to Brunei Sunny Ahmed about “The Promotion of Access to Justice for Female Victims of Violence in Trafficking Cases” workshop held from 3 to 5 February that resulted in the production of gender sensitive guidelines on comprehensive support for women who are trafficked. Last week […]
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30th December 2013
Havana, Cuba
In July 2011 in a ‘Declaration on Bilateral Co-operation’ the British and Cuban governments agreed that human rights are a ‘priority for co-operation’. Both countries have recently been elected by the UN General Assembly to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for a three year term beginning on 1 January 2014. The HRC is the […]
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10th December 2013
Budapest, Hungary
Guest blog by Deputy Head of Mission Theresa Bubbear The UN General Assembly designated 10 December Human Rights Day in 1950. This is an important day for the UK as a member of the UN Human Rights Coucil and a global champion of human rights, which underpin prosperity and security. We mark the occasion at home and […]
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10th December 2013
London, UK
As we mark Human Rights Day and celebrate the UK’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council, it is worth reflecting upon how regional organisations can reinforce and complement the UN’s role in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Last week I attended the annual Ministerial Council of the Organisation […]
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