Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

11th October 2013

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by Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Naval Gazing

Sailing into Sydney’s magnificent harbour aboard HMS Daring, one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced warships, was a spectacular experience. We were part of a fleet of 40 naval ships from 19 countries, there to celebrate the Royal Australian Navy’s 100th anniversary. I had spent two nights at sea on HMS Daring, and developed a healthy respect […]

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10th October 2013 Brasilia, Brazil

by Chris Brealey

Hopeful signs for a diplomatic “abacaxi”

One of the first slang expressions I learnt in Portuguese was abacaxi (pineapple in English) used to describe a difficult issue. Iran’s relations with the international community could be described as an abacaxi. But  are we at a moment of change in those relations with the arrival of President Rouhani? Since 2005, I have been  […]

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10th October 2013 British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica

by Syranno Baines

Digital and Communications Officer

The Death Penalty in the English Speaking Caribbean: A Jamaican Perspective

When the English-speaking Caribbean countries attained independence in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s, their new sovereign Constitutions contained Bills of Rights which created a new and critical opportunity for attacking the death penalty. Each of these Constitutions now contained fundamental rights guarantees against cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment or treatment and in favour of fair trials.

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10th October 2013

by Peter Tibber

Ambassador to Colombia

Travels in the East

I have just spent a couple of days in Kassala and Gadarif. I know that some people think it is strange for Ambassadors to make visits outside the capital. Of course most of my business is with the Government in Khartoum. But I am the ambassador to Sudan, not to Khartoum. It’s important not to […]

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9th October 2013 Cape Town, South Africa

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by Simon Atkinson

Deputy Head of Mission, Cape Town

World Day against the Death Penalty

10 October is World Day against the Death Penalty. Since 2003, people all over the world have, on this day, been making clear their opposition to this form of punishment. Like many people who live in countries which, like South Africa and the UK, have abolished the death penalty, I don’t actually think about it that often.

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9th October 2013

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by Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Protect Life: End the Death Penalty

10 October is the 11th World Day against the Death Penalty. The campaign represents an alliance of 145 NGOs, bar associations, unions and other bodies – including Catholic organisations like the Community of Sant’Egidio – that was set up in Rome on 13 May 2002.The United Kingdom, which supports its work, campaigns for worldwide abolition […]

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