Dr Louise Loder, HRLA Executive Committee Member, attended the International Human Rights Day celebrations at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 10 December 2024 at the kind invitation of Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the FCDO and Minister of Human Rights.
The event commenced with an introduction from Hazel Cameron, Head of the Human Rights Department at the FCDO and a keynote address by The Rt Hon David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs, followed by a speech from Lord Collins, who, as Human Rights Minister, set out the FCDO’s five priorities on human rights:
(i) to focus on defending civic space and fundamental freedoms by providing greater support for human rights defenders who sometimes risk their lives by speaking out;
(ii) to uphold the rule of law by strengthening commitments to the institutions that promote the international rule of law, including at the United Nations, the Council of Europe and OSCE, and to an effective and independent International Criminal Court as well as to justice at local levels by refreshing our human rights defender guidance and redirecting funding to support those at risk;
(iii) to champion equal rights for women, girls, LGBT+ people, and those belonging to other marginalised groups, standing in solidarity with them and advocating for the rights and freedoms at every opportunity;
(iv) to support accountable, effective, and inclusive institutions, which is essential for the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 16, building peaceful and inclusive societies; and
(v) to respond to the global challenges by prioritising human rights and governance principles.
Lord Collins said: “We are sadly living in a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty, whether that’s caused by climate, technology or conflicts. And we cannot tackle them unless we make human rights and governance principles central to our efforts. So we will work flat out to end all forms of modern slavery and promote business and human rights. We will ensure that human rights and governance principles are embedded in the use of new technologies. We will engage internationally to address the human rights impacts of the climate and nature emergency. Finally, with armed conflict reaching record heights, our ability to anticipate atrocities will be critical to preventing them. So we are acting to support civil society organisations to improve best practice.”
Lord Collins’ full speech is available here, and was followed by a panel of human rights defenders from around the world and a networking reception.
The Human Rights Lawyers Association looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders present at the FCDO’s International Human Rights Day celebrations to further our common mission for human rights advocacy and awareness in the United Kingdom and internationally.
Images used with the permission of Dr Louise Loder.
