FCDO Human Rights
Human rights work at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
10th December 2015
London, UK
On Sunday 8 November the people of Burma went to the polls. Millions of Burmese men and women turned out to queue, patiently, for hours to cast their vote. Make no mistake – these are historic elections. For the first time in over 50 years, the people of Burma were able to freely choose their […]
Read more on 8 November Elections a Landmark Achievement – But Now the Hard Work Starts | Reply
10th December 2015
London, UK
I gave a radio interview yesterday. Unexpectedly I was asked why I had joined the British Diplomatic Service 25 years ago. In the midst of my off-the-cuff answer I found myself talking about the opportunity to serve, the opportunity to make a positive difference to people’s lives and the chance to make a small contribution […]
Read more on Why promoting human rights will remain an important part of my career | Reply (1)
10th December 2015
London, England
Last year on Human Rights Day, I was able to reflect with pride on the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in hosting the first Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. The UK Government has committed to ending the use of these despicable and deliberate crimes as weapons of war, and I […]
Read more on The human rights situation in Burundi | Reply
10th December 2015
London, UK
Last month I witnessed the remarkable elections: this was a historic turning point in the country’s long road towards democracy. Although it has only been one month since Burmese citizens used their right to vote, I hope we are approaching another turning point in Burma, one where all rights are protected and promoted. As well […]
Read more on International Human Rights Day: Reflections from Burma | Reply
8th December 2015
Melbourne, Australia
Estonian Armed Forces get the job done with minimal fuss and I love that. Not my words, but those of Prince Harry when in Estonia last year, certainly another big fan of the Estonian military, having worked alongside them in Afghanistan. His assessment of their service in Afghanistan would no doubt be shared by the […]
Read more on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict – sharing experience with our Northern Allies | Reply
7th December 2015
Khartoum
25th November marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of 16 days of activism against gender based violence. Globally one in three women are subject to violence. That represents one billion women worldwide-which is where the global campaign ‘One Billion Rising’, to address violence against women, gets its name. […]
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7th December 2015
London, UK
“I didn’t realise the harm I was doing by abandoning and ignoring these young mothers, now I know. I want to help these girls. I will start today” One in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence – mostly by an intimate partner. One in three. This statistic shocks and saddens me every […]
Read more on How a small group of committed citizens are changing the Democratic Republic of Congo | Reply
3rd December 2015
London, UK
As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, CARE International is launching a number of campaigns to highlight the importance of reaching young men while at school in the struggle for gender equality. From the Balkans to the Great Lakes of Africa, youth of all genders are joining together to change […]
Read more on There can be no bystanders: why gender equality and a life free from violence needs everyone’s support | Reply
25th November 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Between now and 10 December, Human Rights Day, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office – led by the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Baroness Anelay – will be focusing on our work to prevent sexual violence against women. […]
Read more on Hope and determination in eliminating violence against women | Reply
24th November 2015
Havana, Cuba
To all the men out there, this blog is for you. Please don’t close the window, tab or page. Don’t look away. Keep reading and click on the links. This isn’t a women’s issue, it’s a men’s issue. You need to understand it. And then do something about it. Violence against women is horrible, brutal, […]
Read more on Violence Against Women – It’s Your Responsibility | Reply
