Human Rights & Democracy - The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
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Human Rights
& Democracy
Cp 104 The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
Human Rights & Democracy
The 2018 Foreign &
Commonwealth Office Report
Presented to Parliament
by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
by Command of Her Majesty
June 2019
Cp 104
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report © Crown copyright 2019 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available at www.gov.uk/fco/human-rights-report Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at Communications Team, WH1.165, Multilateral Policy Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH ISBN 978-1-5286-1205-0 CCS0519142502 06/19 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum Printed in the UK by the APS Group on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Designed in-house by the FCO Communication Directorate Cover image: Young Bangladeshi woman with candle (Getty Images)
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
Contents
Preface by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.................................................................................. iv
Foreword by Minister for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime
Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Special Representative on
Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict......................................................................................... v
CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes....................................................... 2
Democracy and Democratic Freedoms........................................................................................................................... 2
The Community of Democracies............................................................................................................................................. 3
Westminster Foundation for Democracy................................................................................................................................. 3
Civil Society.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Freedom of Expression............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Media Freedom...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Human Rights Defenders........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Civil Society Engagement........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Restrictions of Civil Society Space............................................................................................................................................ 6
Gender Equality............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Women and Girls’ Rights......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative....................................................................................................................... 7
Women, Peace and Security.................................................................................................................................................... 8
Violence against Women and Girls.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.............................................................................................................................................. 10
Children and Armed Conflict................................................................................................................................................. 10
Girls’ Education......................................................................................................................................................................11
Women’s Economic Empowerment........................................................................................................................................12
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Rights.................................................................................................................. 12
Modern Slavery............................................................................................................................................................ 13
Human Rights and the Private Sector.......................................................................................................................... 14
Business and Human Rights.................................................................................................................................................. 14
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights............................................................................................................... 15
Private Security Companies................................................................................................................................................... 15
Responsible Sourcing............................................................................................................................................................ 15
Transparency and Open Government.................................................................................................................................... 16
Freedom of Religion or Belief....................................................................................................................................... 16
Post-Holocaust Issues.................................................................................................................................................. 17
Death Penalty and Torture Prevention......................................................................................................................... 18
Overseas Security and Justice Assistance..................................................................................................................... 19
Export Controls............................................................................................................................................................ 20
Migration and Human Rights....................................................................................................................................... 20
Economic and Social Rights......................................................................................................................................... 20
The Rights of People with Disabilities.................................................................................................................................... 20
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
The Rights of Older People.................................................................................................................................................... 21
Water and Sanitation............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Rights to Health.................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Social Protection................................................................................................................................................................... 22
The Overseas Territories............................................................................................................................................... 22
CHAPTER 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System............................................................ 23
Human Rights at the UN.............................................................................................................................................. 23
Human Rights Council........................................................................................................................................................... 23
Country issues....................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Thematic issues..................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Universal Periodic Review...................................................................................................................................................... 25
Treaty Monitoring Bodies and Special Procedures................................................................................................................. 25
UN Security Council..................................................................................................................................................... 26
The Security Council.............................................................................................................................................................. 26
Mass Atrocity Prevention and Responsibility to Protect.......................................................................................................... 26
Peacebuilding........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Peacekeeping........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Commonwealth........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting................................................................................................................... 27
Commonwealth and Human Rights Institutions.................................................................................................................... 28
Protecting and Promoting Democracy................................................................................................................................... 28
Europe......................................................................................................................................................................... 28
The European Union............................................................................................................................................................. 28
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe..................................................................................................... 28
Council of Europe................................................................................................................................................................. 29
International Criminal Justice....................................................................................................................................... 29
Sanctions..................................................................................................................................................................... 30
CHAPTER 3: Human Rights Programme Funds.......................................................................... 31
Human Rights and Democracy Programme Spending.................................................................................................. 31
Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy................................................................................................. 31
Supporting the Rules-Based International System........................................................................................................ 31
Case Studies of Programme Work supporting Human Rights and Democracy............................................................. 31
CHAPTER 4: Consular—Human Rights and Assistance.............................................................. 33
Consular Cases............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Death Penalty.............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Torture and Mistreatment............................................................................................................................................ 34
Overseas Detainees...................................................................................................................................................... 34
Forced Marriage........................................................................................................................................................... 34
CHAPTER 5: Human Rights Priority Countries............................................................................ 35
Afghanistan................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report Bahrain........................................................................................................................................................................ 36 People’s Republic of Bangladesh.................................................................................................................................. 37 Burma (Myanmar)........................................................................................................................................................ 38 Burundi........................................................................................................................................................................ 39 Central African Republic............................................................................................................................................... 40 China............................................................................................................................................................................ 41 Colombia..................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea........................................................................................................................ 43 Democratic Republic of the Congo.............................................................................................................................. 44 Egypt........................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Eritrea.......................................................................................................................................................................... 46 Iran.............................................................................................................................................................................. 46 Iraq.............................................................................................................................................................................. 47 The State of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories......................................................................................... 48 Libya............................................................................................................................................................................ 49 Republic of Maldives.................................................................................................................................................... 50 Pakistan....................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Russia........................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Saudi Arabia................................................................................................................................................................ 54 Somalia........................................................................................................................................................................ 54 South Sudan................................................................................................................................................................ 55 Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka................................................................................................................... 56 Sudan........................................................................................................................................................................... 57 Syria............................................................................................................................................................................. 58 Turkmenistan............................................................................................................................................................... 60 Uzbekistan................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Venezuela.................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Yemen.......................................................................................................................................................................... 63 Zimbabwe.................................................................................................................................................................... 64
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
Preface by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt
Three decades ago, the world stood on the brink of the fastest advance of human
rights and democracy in modern times. During the annus mirabilis of 1989, the Iron
Curtain crumbled before our eyes and six European countries seized their liberty.
At that moment, it seemed possible to the United Nations. Another 348 allow a misguided sense of political
that democracy and liberal values were jailed by governments and 60 correctness to inhibit our response.
would sweep the world. Sure enough, taken hostage by non-state groups.
So I have asked Rt Rev’d Philip
another eleven countries would
In summer 2019, I will join my Mounstephen, the Anglican Bishop
escape from dictatorship by 1999.
Canadian counterpart to host an of Truro, to conduct an independent
But from the vantage point of today, international conference in London review of the FCO’s efforts to
we know the optimism of that era on media freedom. We have help persecuted Christians and
was misplaced. Since the turn of the decided that democratic countries report back to me in 2019.
millennium, the worldwide advance need to stand together to make it
In this report, you will learn about
of human rights and democracy a taboo to murder, arrest or detain
the FCO’s efforts to promote human
has slowed and, in some respects, journalists just for doing their jobs.
rights and democracy in 2018. You
gone into reverse. Freedom House
Our aim is to shine a spotlight on will read of the countries where
reported that 2018 was the 13th
abuses and raise the price for those we have particular concerns.
consecutive year of “global declines
who would act to silence the media.
in political rights and civil liberties”. In an imperfect world, we will not
We can only achieve this if countries
always be able to respond identically
All this makes it even more important for with shared values work together.
to the same abuses in different
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
I was deeply disturbed to learn that settings. But protecting human rights
to strive to uphold the values that define
215 million Christians faced persecution and safeguarding Britain’s national
our country. Since becoming Foreign
in 2018, according to a study by the values are not optional extras for the
Secretary, I have launched a campaign
campaign group Open Doors. Christians FCO. They are part of who we are.
to defend media freedom and a review
faced harassment in 144 countries in
of the FCO’s support for Christians who I am determined that British diplomacy
2016, according to the Pew Research
suffer persecution because of their faith. will continue to uphold the principles
Centre, compared with 128 in 2015.
of humanity and fairness that our
If there is one essential quality of an
I am not convinced that our efforts country has always stood for.
open society, it is the freedom of
have always been commensurate
journalists to hold the powerful to
with the scale of the problem or the
account without fear of retribution.
empirical evidence that Christians
Yet the overall picture is bleak. In
often endure the greatest burden
2018, no less than 99 journalists were
of persecution. We must never
murdered around the world, according
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
Foreword by Minister for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq)
Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister’s Special
Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Special
Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
Human rights matter because it is only when our rights are respected that each
of us has the freedom to make the most of our talents and our industry.
I work with a committed team of many inspiring people who have activist and sexual violence survivor,
ministers, officials and diplomats across dedicated themselves to fighting for Nadia Murad, and the dedicated
the globe, all determined to extend the rights of others, showing incredible humanitarian and phenomenal
that freedom and champion the rights courage, often at great personal surgeon, Dr Denis Mukwege.
of people, no matter where they live risk or in the face of overwhelming
In 2018, the UK increased our funding
or who they are, or what their belief. adversity and opposition.
of initiatives[1] to support survivors of
We take a three-pronged approach: On International Human Rights Day, sexual violence and to hold perpetrators
we challenge states which violate I met Wanjeri Nderu, the inspiring to account. We also shone a spotlight
or fail to protect human rights; human rights defender from Kenya, on the need to tackle the stigma
we work constructively with those who has created a network of civil associated with innocent victims of
that are open to change; and we society volunteers, including lawyers sexual violence. The greatest obstacle
collaborate with governments, and professionals, who use social to success is silence; film is a great
international organisations and civil media to stand up for the rights of medium for breaking the silence. That
society groups that share our aims. those who are less able to defend is why we hosted ‘Fighting Stigma
themselves. We are proud to support through Film’, the first ever film festival
2018 was the 20th anniversary
many brave human rights defenders dedicated to raising awareness of
of the UN Declaration on Human
like her around the world, from the issue in November last year.
Rights Defenders. This report rightly
Sri Lanka to Colombia and beyond.
recognises their contributions As part of our efforts to protect the
towards strengthening human rights In my role as the Prime Minister’s rights of people of all faiths or beliefs
protections, and details the strength Special Representative on Preventing and none, I was honoured to be granted
of our partnerships with them. Over Sexual Violence in Conflict, I was an audience with His Holiness the
the last twelve months, my role and humbled to discuss the next steps in our Pope, and in my new role as the Prime
our prioritisation of human rights global campaign with the 2018 Nobel Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom
has brought me into contact with Peace Prize winners—human rights of Religion or Belief I met with leaders
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lord-ahmad-announces-funding-boost-for-preventing-sexual-violence-in-conflict
Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
of many different faith communities of expression and information as a campaign and our ‘Year of Preventing
to discuss what more we can do journalist in Honduras led Fortune Sexual Violence in Conflict’, which
together to tackle the discrimination magazine to name her one of the will culminate in a major international
faced by religious minorities across world’s 50 greatest leaders of 2018. conference in November. One
the world. It is important to recognise of the specific outcomes of that
The UK also continues to show global
that faith in all its different reflections conference will be the launch of the
leadership in the fight against modern
is part of finding solutions to the Murad Code on documenting and
slavery in all its forms, a priority for our
many global challenges we face. investigating crimes of sexual violence.
Prime Minister, Theresa May. I heard
Named after the courageous Nadia
In the autumn I launched the harrowing accounts from victims of
Murad, it will encourage greater
government’s new £12 million slavery when I visited a safe house
adherence to international standards
development programme through here in the UK last year. They made
and best practice, with the aim of
DFID to support Freedom of Religion me all the more determined to work
achieving greater accountability,
or Belief. The independent review with like-minded states, businesses
and justice for survivors. There will
of Christian persecution announced and civil society groups around the
also be a declaration of humanity
by the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy world, to eradicate this hideous crime.
against stigma by faith and belief
Hunt, in December is a further I am very encouraged that more
heads from across the world.
important new strand of our work. than 80 governments have signed
the Prime Minister’s Call to Action, I look forward to continuing to
The Foreign Secretary has also launched
but there is so much more to do. develop these plans, delivering our
an ambitious global campaign in
key programmes and to working
support of media freedom, and As I write, our plans are already well
with partners across the globe within
over the course of last year I met a advanced for our major human rights
a strong rules-based international
number of courageous journalists and initiatives of 2019—our review into
system to promote, defend, and
activists working to strengthen free the persecution of Christians; the
strengthen human rights and
expression. People like Dina Meza, prioritisation of Freedom of Religion
freedoms for everyone, everywhere.
whose work defending freedom or Belief; our ‘Defend Media Freedom’CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 2
CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes
Democracy and 39% of the world’s population. The Constitution promised the devolution
remaining 61% lived in a country of powers, funding and decision
Democratic Freedoms designated as partly free or not free. making to local leaders, to increase
The promotion of democracy and accountability and the quality of service
It is the right of all people to be able to
democratic freedoms is at the heart provision. The FCO and DFID worked
choose, freely and fairly, those whom
of the UK’s foreign policy. We believe to support this change by lobbying on
they want to govern them; and it is
that democratic institutions and constitutional issues, and by providing
the right of all people to be able to put
accountable government are the capacity-building programmes for
themselves forward to contest elections
foundations on which open, stable, officials in local government.
peacefully. The UK government
and prosperous societies thrive. The
continued to support free and fair Through our Embassies and High
Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, set
elections around the world by providing Commissions, the UK continued
out his vision for the UK’s role in
technical and financial assistance to to promote good governance
supporting the values of democracy. In
international organisations which carry and support democratic political
a speech in October he said the UK’s
out election observation missions. institutions to create the foundations
relationships with international partners
These included the Commonwealth, where democracy might take root
were underpinned by the values of
the Organisation for Security and Co- and grow. For example, in Burma,
democracy; rule of law; separation of
operation in Europe, and the EU. But the the Departmental Policy Programme
powers; respect for individual civil and
political environment around elections supported civil society projects tackling
political rights; a belief in free trade.
continued to pose challenges. Freedom hate speech, and worked with former
His vision is to see strong relationships
House calculated in their report entitled political prisoners on mental health
to help “build that invisible chain
‘Freedom on the Net 2018’ that issues. The UK funded the NGO Mon
between those who share our values.
elections were the catalyst for almost Youth Progressive Organisation to
And make it as strong and resilient as
half of the countries where internet create a forum for young people to
it needs to be as new nations rise and
freedom declined. During elections, engage in civil society and politics. In
the world order is challenged anew.”
there was often a sharp increase in the India, our network worked closely with
Together with other government number of cases of censorship, technical the media, including by funding an
departments, the FCO participated attacks, or arrests of government annual South Asia Journalism Fellowship
in the inaugural National Democracy critics.[3] We followed closely the Programme under our flagship
Week in July. The week celebrated presidential election in Egypt (26 to 28 Chevening brand. Last year we funded
progress but also championed future March). The election was marked by 17 fellows, including seven from India.
participation in the democratic process, international concerns about restrictions We have also provided project funding
particularly by members of under- on freedom of expression and assembly. to Thomson Reuters in Karnataka to
registered groups. Our Embassies and In Zimbabwe, the UK worked with run workshops for journalists to report
High Commissions used the week to international partners through the multi- violence against women and girls. In
demonstrate the UK’s commitment to donor Transparency, Responsiveness, September, in support of social cohesion
strengthening our own democracy, Accountability and Citizen Engagement and diversity in Macedonia, the UK
while at the same time working with (TRACE) programme. The TRACE initiated a new project through UNICEF
other countries to strengthen theirs. programme set up an election situation entitled ‘Foundations for the Future’.
room, which was the main civil society The project aims to strengthen the
We saw a number of challenges to
vehicle for observation and analysis delivery of quality pre-school education,
democracy in the world in 2018. Figures
of the 2018 elections. TRACE funded embedding values, social and emotional
released by the non-governmental
civil society organisations for the competencies, awareness, and
organisation Freedom House, which
deployment of 6,600 local observers cross-cultural skills in children. The
tracks democratic trends, showed that
through the Zimbabwe Election Support project also supports institutions in
2018 saw the 13th consecutive year
Network, together with an additional modelling community-based services
of democratic decline. While some
8,000 human rights monitors. In Nepal, for disabled children, to enable their
countries took steps to strengthen
following the December 2017 elections, improved inclusion in society.
democratic freedoms, many more
the FCO and DFID worked with the
moved backwards.[2] The number
government to fulfil the promises of
of countries designated as ‘free’
the new federal system. Nepal’s 2015
stood at 85 out of 195, representing
[2] https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world-2018-table-country-scores
[3] https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/freedom-net-2018/rise-digital-authoritarianism3 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
The Community of
Democracies
The UK took up a six-month term
as chair of the Executive Committee
of the Community of Democracies
(CoD) on 15 September. As chair, the
UK worked to implement the CoD’s
five-year strategic plan, adopted in
June. In November, the CoD launched
the UK-funded publication, ‘Best
Practice in Community of Democracies’
member states engagement with,
and protection of, civil society’.[4] The
publication reported on the work of
CoD member states to engage with
civil society, and to encourage others
to do so also. The CoD Working Group Wafa Bani Mustafa, Jordanian MP, addresses Westminster Foundation
for Protecting and Enabling Civil Society for Democracy’s ‘Stop Violence against Women in Politics’
conference, London March 2018. Andy Aitchison / WFD
issued its first Call for Recognition (to
Uzbekistan), to highlight the positive the world also supports the UK’s more inclusive politics to overcome
steps taken to advance civil society and security and prosperity objectives. the serious obstacles, including
democratic freedoms. The working violence, which women face when
group recognised improvements in WFD partners with UK political parties,
they seek and attain public office. WFD
Uzbekistan’s regulatory environment for parliaments and assemblies, and
continued to work with the Coalition
civil society organisations. The British electoral and financial audit institutions
of Women MPs from Arab Countries
Embassy is strengthening democracy to increase the effectiveness and
to combat violence against women
in Uzbekistan through projects which accountability of their counterparts in
and to advance the Arab League’s
support engagement on a range of over 30 developing countries. It also
Convention to End Violence Against
issues between civil society, media provides assistance to help ensure
Women in the region. WFD supported
and the government. We are also credible and inclusive elections.
the Arab Women Parliamentarians’
building capacity through training, In May, the Office of the UN High Network for Equality’s adoption of a
for example on anti-corruption, the Commissioner for Human Rights regional policy paper calling for changes
delivery of services to the vulnerable, published a report entitled ‘Contribution to political party structures in its 14
and with the media on developing of parliaments to the work of the member countries, which would make
objective, impartial content. Human Rights Council and its universal it easier for women to be elected.
periodic review’. The report included
WFD became the lead partner of
guidance, based on the work of
Westminster Foundation a £4 million programme, as part
WFD and others, for parliaments to
for Democracy help them enhance their protection
of the Commonwealth Partnership
The Westminster Foundation for for Democracy, to help include
and promotion of human rights.
Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body more members of minorities and
dedicated to supporting democracy Promoting and protecting women’s vulnerable groups in policy-making
around the world. Established in 1992, rights was central to WFD’s work in in 18 Commonwealth countries.
WFD is mainly funded by the FCO 2018. In March, UK political parties
At the Global Disability Summit in
(which is the sponsoring department) convened an international summit
July, WFD committed to help create
and by DFID. WFD is a key delivery to address the issue of violence
more inclusive political environments
partner for the UK government, against women in politics. While the
for persons with disabilities. In
through which the UK shares its testimonies from women politicians
Mozambique, WFD partnered with
democratic experience and expertise. about the abuse they had suffered
the University of Pretoria’s Centre
was shocking, their courage and
WFD’s work is an important and for Human Rights and the National
determination were inspiring. A report
distinctive part of our diplomatic and Association of People with Disability
from the summit was submitted to the
development effort to strengthen to improve the social, political, and
UN’s Special Rapporteur on Violence
respect for democracy. Strengthening economic inclusion of persons with
against Women. In November, WFD
democratic systems in developing disabilities in policy-making, ahead of
supported a conference of women
and transition countries around the general election in October 2019. In
MPs from over 100 countries held in
Kenya, WFD supported local disabled
the House of Commons calling for
[4] https://community-democracies.org/?docs=best-practice-in-community-of-democracies-
member-states-engagement-with-and-protection-of-civil-societyCHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 4
persons’ organisations in developing
ways to ensure that persons with
disabilities were included in policy-
making. Following the March elections
in Sierra Leone, where WFD promoted
the inclusion of persons with disability,
WFD worked to ensure that parliament,
local councils, and political parties
continued to mainstream disability
inclusion policies throughout their work.
In sub-Saharan Africa, young people
make up half the population but are
often excluded from political decision-
making. In Uganda, WFD worked
with the Parliamentary Youth Forum
to ensure that young people’s interests
were represented in parliament. In
Nigeria, WFD worked with local
partners such as the Nigerian Women’s
Trust Fund to educate underrepresented
groups, including young women,
about their right to participate freely
in the upcoming general elections.
In Sri Lanka, WFD presented an
introductory briefing on business In 2018, press freedom came under prisoners and prisoners of conscience
and human rights to a cross-party unprecedented attack around the were held in longer-term detention.
parliamentary oversight committee world. According to the NGO Reporters In Tajikistan, through social media,
and to the heads of the business without Borders, 63 journalists, 13 open letters, and lobbying, we actively
and commerce ministries. bloggers and other citizen journalists, campaigned for and secured the
and 5 media assistants were killed, release of an activist imprisoned for
New counter-terror legislation was and 332 journalists were imprisoned.[5] reporting on local corruption. We also
passed in May in the Indonesian The high-profile case of two Reuters lobbied for family members to leave
House of Representatives, following journalists arrested under Burma’s the country to join exiled Tajik activists,
extensive support from WFD in official secrets act for investigating which the government then permitted.
2017/18 to bring the legislation in a massacre in Rakhine State drew
line with international human rights In 2018, we continued to work
attention to the deep deficiencies
principles. The laws incorporate with Access Now, a key partner in
of Burma’s legal system, specifically
many of the suggestions from civil our work to support freedom of
with regard to press freedom.
society organisations which WFD expression. Through its #KeepItOn
Embassy officials lobbied the Burmese
connected with the parliament, campaign, Access Now fought
government, and on World Press
to ensure an evidence-based internet shutdowns—which were on
Freedom Day held a joint roundtable
approach to law-making. numerous occasions ordered during
with Dutch Embassy colleagues, to
elections or public protests, and which
highlight the work of local journalists.
undermined human rights, disrupted
Freedom of expression was tightly
Civil Society constrained in South Sudan. Many
democratic processes, and risked
the safety of everyone affected.
reporters exercised self-censorship in
Freedom of Expression order to protect themselves and their
The UK believes that freedom of families from persecution. Human rights Media Freedom
expression is both a fundamental defenders, civil society activists, and To mark the International Day to End
right and an essential element political opponents of the government Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
of any functioning democracy. suffered violence and intimidation, and on 2 November, the Foreign Secretary,
Freedom of expression enables a number disappeared or were killed. Jeremy Hunt, gave an interview to
media practitioners, civil society In Cuba, a number of journalists and Thomas Hughes, Chief Executive
representatives, and ordinary citizens dissidents were arbitrarily detained of freedom of speech campaign
to challenge and ultimately improve for exercising their rights to freedom group Article 19. Reflecting concern
the work of their governments of expression, assembly, and political about the deteriorating situation for
through open discussion and debate. association. A number of political journalists across the world, the Foreign
[5] https://rsf.org/en/barometer?type_id=233#list-barometre5 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
Secretary went on to announce in for journalists across Iraq to promote
November that Media Freedom would media freedoms and to contribute to Profile: A human
be his priority campaign for 2019. tackling issues such as hate speech. rights defender
The aim of the campaign would be
We have championed freedom of To mark Human Rights Day on
to shine a spotlight on the issue, and
expression and the safety of journalists 10 December, the UK highlighted
to raise the cost for those targeting
in multilateral fora throughout the the work of human rights
journalists for their work, with the
year. We made statements on media defenders around the world.
aim of restoring the international
freedom at the UN Human Rights Here is the account of one brave
taboo on attacks against journalists.
Councils in March and September. We HRD who participated in the
Throughout 2018, UK Embassies have sought to protect international FCO’s Human Rights Day event,
continued to raise media freedom commitments by co-sponsoring a Wanjeri Nderu from Kenya:
with host governments as part of resolution on the safety of journalists
“It was a pleasure to celebrate the
ongoing discussion on human rights at the Human Rights Council, building
International Human Rights day at
and democracy. We have shown our on the Third Committee resolution we
the Foreign Office in London, upon
support in individual cases where media had already co-sponsored at the UN
the invitation of the UK Minister
professionals have been threatened or General Assembly in 2017. We have
of State UN and Commonwealth,
intimidated, as well as raising concerns continued to raise media freedom in the
Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon.
with those governments who have Council of Europe and the Organisation
The recognition by Lord Ahmad
introduced laws and policies that restrict for Security and Cooperation in Europe
of the challenges faced by human
media freedom further. We continued and used our membership of like-
rights defenders, especially
to work with media organisations minded groupings such as the Freedom
women, from all over the world
and civil society around the world to Online Coalition and the Community
and the need to have a universal
deliver projects to protect and enable of Democracies to promote media
conversation about it, was highly
journalists, including through the FCO’s freedom and safety of journalists.
appreciated. Being an activist in
Magna Carta Fund for Democracy and
Looking ahead, we will be a country like Kenya is difficult.
Human Rights, the cross-Whitehall
putting the resources of the FCO We risk arrest, physical attacks,
Conflict, Security and Stability Fund and
behind a major campaign on threats, trumped-up charges, and
other funding streams. For example, in
media freedom throughout 2019, enforced disappearances. This
Ethiopia we have provided training to
including holding an international environment makes it very hard
journalists through the Departmental
conference on 10 to 11 July. to fight injustice, especially for
Policy Programme. We also assisted
volunteer activists who are not
the Mexican government in the
attached to organisations, who
development of Policy Prevention Human Rights Defenders are not funded, and who do not
Plans that eliminate territorial and 2018 was the 20th anniversary year of have international support. The
social risks that create violence against the UN Declaration on Human Rights commitment by the UK Foreign
journalists, and we hosted workshops Defenders (HRDs). HRD Memorial[6], Office to focus more on the welfare
of activists is a welcome move.”
[6] https://hrdmemorial.org/about-the-project
Human rights defenders Dina Meza and Wanjeri Nderu, with Lord (Tariq) Ahmad and Amnesty International
UK Director Kate Allen, on Human Rights Day, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, December 2018CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 6
a partnership of international Through multilateral fora, the UK Restrictions of Civil
organisations, estimated that more continued to champion HRDs and to Society Space
than 3,500 human rights defenders push for strong language in statements
Restriction of civil society space
had been killed since the declaration and resolutions. We co-sponsored
continued in a number of countries.
was adopted. According to Frontline a new UN resolution on freedom
In China, civil society continued
Defenders, 321 human rights defenders of assembly and association. This
to be seriously restrained. Russia
were killed in 2018 alone.[7] Many urged states to take concrete action
continued to use its ‘Foreign Agents’
other HRDs were threatened, harassed, to put an end to the arbitrary arrest
and ‘Undesirable Organisations’ law to
arbitrarily detained, placed under and detention of peaceful protestors
reduce civil society’s work. Restrictions
surveillance, or simply disappeared. and human rights defenders for
on civil society in Egypt continued in
At the FCO’s Human Rights Day on exercising their human rights and
2018, with a series of laws impinging
10 December, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad fundamental freedoms of expression,
on freedom of expression. A number
of Wimbledon, Minister of State for peaceful assembly, and association.
of independent media outlets and
Human Rights, said “that we commit Additionally, we provided funding to
civil society organisations closed
to continue strengthening our support the International Service for Human
under direct or indirect pressure. In
for human rights defenders as we Rights to train HRDs from Colombia
Turkey we followed closely the case
collectively strive to build a better and Tunisia, enabling them to gain a
of Amnesty International local chair
world”. This included a commitment deeper understanding of UN processes
Taner Kılıç, imprisoned on alleged terror
to make UK support for human rights and how to mobilise support for UN
charges, and made representations
defenders more transparent in 2019. resolutions and their implementation.
on his behalf at the highest level.
The UK’s network of Embassies, High We funded the UN Focal Point for Mr Kılıç was released from pre-trial
Commissions and other diplomatic Reprisals as a way of building a UN detention in August. We have provided
missions supported HRDs in a variety of system-wide response to reprisals support to organisations monitoring
ways, including: regular contact to learn faced by HRDs for cooperating with the situation of the press in Turkey
about their work; trial observation; and the UN. We invited six civil society and have attended the trials of a
both public and private diplomacy. In representatives, five of whom were number of journalists. We also lobbied
the Philippines, we were concerned women, to brief the UN Security at the highest level for the lifting of
by the vulnerability of HRDs, including Council during the UK’s Presidency the State of Emergency imposed at
journalists, land rights campaigners, in August. The UK’s Mission to the the time of the failed coup attempt
and members of the clergy. Members of UN in New York continued to take a in July 2016; this was done in July.
these groups in particular were subject proactive approach to protecting the
to harassment, and in some cases were space in which civil society can exist and
murdered. The UK repeatedly called thrive. We regularly opposed increasing Gender Equality
on the Government of the Philippines attempts by states such as Russia and
to ensure adequate protections China to restrict the participation of Women and Girls’ Rights
for members of these groups. In NGOs in UN meetings and events.
The UK government is committed
Colombia, we supported over 200
to pursuing a foreign policy which
at-risk HRDs, through training on how
to protect themselves individually and Civil Society Engagement consciously and consistently delivers for
We worked closely with DFID and with women and girls, and which showcases
collectively. We provided legal support
representatives of interested NGOs the UK’s leading international
in 14 emblematic court cases relating to
to strengthen the implementation of reputation in this area. The promotion
attacks on HRDs, following up on every
the FCO’s guidelines on working with of gender equality is also at the heart
step of the procedure, representing the
human rights defenders, which provide of the UK’s work to promote economic
victims in hearings, and helping them
practical advice for Embassies and High growth, peace, and stability. On
with any further legal action. In India,
Commission to help them assist and International Women’s Day (8 March),
we supported a project with Sheffield
support human rights defenders. At Penny Mordaunt, the then Secretary of
Hallam University to improve access to
the Human Rights Defenders World State for International Development,
justice for female victims of violence,
Summit in Paris in October, the FCO launched DFID’s Strategic Vision for
which trained 164 officers in four
co-sponsored an Amnesty International Gender Equality—a global Call to
states. 2,000 Dalit women have also
side event with the Norwegian Ministry Action to secure the rights of all girls
been trained on legal rights, creating
of Foreign Affairs, on developing and women, particularly those living
the first ever network of women Dalit
best government practice. in conflict and crisis. The FCO’s Special
human rights defenders, and eight
Envoy for Gender Equality, Joanna
Indian police officers also visited the
Roper, promotes greater international
UK for training on the protection of
action on gender equality through her
women and girls against violence.
travel and engagement with partners.
[7] https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/resource-publication/global-analysis-20187 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in
Conflict, Pramilla Patten, Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing
Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, and UNHCR Special Envoy
Film Festival, ‘Fighting Stigma Through Film’, for Refugees, Angelina Jolie at the FCO Heads of Mission roundtable, ahead
British Film Institue, November 2018 of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Film Festival, November 2018
Sustained commitment is vital. The tackling the stigma faced by survivors; Film’, at the British Film Institute in
world today is witnessing a visible strengthening justice for survivors London in November. The festival
drive against gender equality and and holding perpetrators to account; harnessed the power of film and
women’s rights. We are working hard and preventing sexual violence in cinema to help fight the discrimination
to counter this and drive progress. For conflict by tackling its root causes. faced by survivors of sexual violence in
example, in an increasingly regressive conflict. Over two days we screened
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the
global context, the UK continued over 30 films and documentaries from
Prime Minister’s Special Representative
to champion the protection of around the world, sharing stories of
on Preventing Sexual Violence in
sexual and reproductive health and survivors and of the inspiring people
Conflict, engaged with key partners to
rights (SRHR), including through the working alongside them. We ran
spur the international community into
launch by DFID of the £200 million workshops on various PSVI topics, led
further action. He hosted a meeting
Women’s Integrated Sexual Health by prominent experts, which offered
of Commonwealth member states in
programme, aimed at increasing the members of the public a chance to learn
the margins of the Commonwealth
availability of contraceptives across more about important issues relating
Heads of Government Meeting in
27 countries in Africa and Asia. The to PSVI. We also brought a group of
April. In September, he co-chaired
programme aims to avert 2.6 million over 30 young filmmakers from 18
a meeting on PSVI during the UN
unintended pregnancies, avert 1.7 conflict-affected and Commonwealth
General Assembly, together with
million unsafe abortions and avert countries for a three-day capacity-
Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-
16,240 maternal deaths. The UK has building programme, led by industry
General’s Special Representative
also been active diplomatically in professionals. The filmmakers
for Sexual Violence in Conflict.
multilateral forums in defending SRHR. learned skills and created networks
In November, Lord Ahmad gathered which will ensure that they can take
heads of mission accredited to the forward the fight against impunity
Preventing Sexual Violence UK in London, to push forward PSVI and stigma in their home countries.
in Conflict Initiative objectives. He also championed the
On International Day for the
Sexual violence as a weapon of war issue during overseas visits, including
Elimination of Sexual Violence in
continued to destroy, destabilise, and in March the first FCO ministerial visit
Conflict in June, the UK launched,
demoralise individuals, communities to Mosul, Iraq, in partnership with
at UN Headquarters, FCO-funded
and societies across the world in SRSG Patten, and during a visit to
research by the London School of
2018. The Preventing Sexual Violence Kosovo with Baroness Helic in July.
Economics Centre for Women, Peace
in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) was The FCO Special Envoy for Gender
and Security on the plight of children
launched in 2012 by former Foreign Equality, Joanna Roper, in June
born of sexual violence. ‘Closing the
Secretary, Lord Hague, and UNHCR accompanied FCO Minister Mark Field
Protection Gap of Children Born of
Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie. The UK to Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, to
War’ highlighted the vulnerabilities
continued to drive forward international understand the needs of Rohingya
faced by children born of sexual
efforts to prevent and respond to refugees, including survivors of sexual
violence and how the international
conflict-related sexual violence. violence, and to highlight UK support.
community might improve their
We continued to work towards Lord Ahmad hosted the first ever PSVI response to address the stigmatisation
achieving our three objectives: film festival, ‘Fighting Stigma ThroughYou can also read
