PRESS RELEASE : UK’s Minister of State for the UN attends the Human Rights Council in Geneva [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 February 2024.
UK’s Minister of State for the UN, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, on his official visit to Geneva to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council High-Level Panel.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, Commonwealth, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, will visit Geneva today (Wednesday) to address the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
He will condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as well as calling out states who violate human rights. He will also reaffirm the Foreign Secretary’s calls for the fighting to stop now, creating the conditions for a sustainable and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as an irreversible pathway for a two-state solution that guarantees justice, peace, and security for the citizens of two states – Israel and Palestine.
Lord Ahmad will also deliver the UK’s national statement during the Conference on Disarmament’s High-Level Week, to an audience of 65 Member and over 20 Observer States. He will emphasise the importance of upholding multilateral institutions as multilateral institutions navigate growing strategic instability and politicisation.
The visit will provide the opportunity for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon to meet the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and discuss the UK’s human rights priorities.
Ahead of the visit, Lord Ahmad said:
“As we face some of the greatest global challenges of our time, the need for a strong multilateral system is more important than ever, and this visit will provide an important opportunity to come together with our international partners to protect and strengthen human rights across the world.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Human Rights Council will be in session from 26 February to 5 April. The session will open with a Ministerial High-Level Segment and will be attended by the Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, Commonwealth, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.
