This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Jonathan Knott

Former British ambassador to Hungary, Budapest

Part of FCDO Human Rights UK in Hungary

10th December 2013 Budapest, Hungary

Human Rights Day 2013

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 around the world.

Human rights work is a priority for this Embassy and the past year has been as busy as ever. We have been supporting a Roma community in southern Hungary. I handed over the clothes, books and toys we had collected earlier in the year and I very much look forward to visiting them again before Christmas with more donations.

Chargé d'Affaires Theresa Bubbear handing over the items the Embassy had collected to the representatives of Veletek Vagyunk Alapítvány (We Are With You Foundation)
Chargé d’Affaires Theresa Bubbear handing over the items the Embassy had collected to the representatives of Veletek Vagyunk Alapítvány (We Are With You Foundation)

We have also supported a kindergarten for homeless children and visited a Roma farm and community policing project in Szendrőlád. And we have again welcomed the US Embassy’s Roma fellows to our embassy to talk to them about what we do and, as always, to be excited by their energy and enthusiasm. It is always a privilege to be part of these visits and I always feel that I learn a great deal from them.

We have also continued the Embassy’s strong tradition of working with local decision makers, NGOs, academics and communities to advance the situation of minorities and highlight the benefits of diversity and the importance of respect for others.

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Examples have been our third annual human rights movie day, the unveiling of a fascinating picture capturing the astonishing life and achievements of Szenes Anikó, and an exhibition in support of the Foreign Secretary’s initiative on preventing sexual violence. At each event I have met interesting, committed, and inspiring people who share our goals.

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December is traditionally a time to look back and review the past year. We are proud of what we have achieved on the human rights agenda in 2013. But we are not complacent. There is always more to do. The UK and this embassy will remain active, dedicated and vocal supporters of human rights. We look forward to new challenges, new partnerships, and new friends in 2014.

About Jonathan Knott

Jonathan Knott was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Hungary in March 2011 and arrived in Budapest in February 2012 to take up his post. He left this post on April…

Jonathan Knott was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to
Hungary in March 2011 and arrived in Budapest in February 2012 to take
up his post. He left this post on April 2015.
He has previously held a variety of diplomatic posts at home and
abroad, several with a particular focus on commercial and corporate
finance issues. Jonathan has served in a number of positions in the
British Diplomatic Service since joining in 1988:
Before his appointment was Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment in South Korea from 2008 to 2011.Between 2005 and 2008 he held the post of Deputy Finance Director in the FCO.From 2000 to 2005 he served as First Secretary (Trade, Corporate Affairs and Finance Negotiator) in UKDel OECD Paris.From 1996 to 2000 he was First Secretary (Head of Political/Economic/Aid Section) in Mexico.From 1995 to 1996 he worked in the FCO as Deputy European Correspondent at the EU Directorate.Between 1991 and 1995 he served as Third later Second Secretary (Political / Press and Public Affairs) in Havana.From 1990 to 1991 he was Desk Officer in the FCO’s First Gulf War Emergency Unit.Between 1988 and 1990 he worked as Desk Officer in the FCO in the Anti Drugs Cooperation Department.
Jonathan holds an MA in law from Oxford University, and he is a
member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He speaks
English, French, Spanish and Hungarian. He is married to Angela Susan
Knott and has one daughter and two sons.

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