Ambassador Neil Holland has reaffirmed the UK's strong support for the Council of Europe and its partnership with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), during a recent statement at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. The statement, which was delivered on behalf of the UK, highlighted the UK's commitment to shared commitments on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Ambassador Holland stressed the importance of cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, citing their shared goals of promoting stability, security, and human rights across the continent. He also underlined the UK's support for Ukraine's efforts to promote accountability and transparency, particularly in the areas of human rights and the rule of law.
The UK's stance on this issue is in line with the Government's broader commitment to human rights and the rule of law, as outlined in the Queen's Speech earlier this year. The speech announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening the UK's human rights framework and ensuring that the country remains a global leader in this area.
Labour MPs have welcomed the UK's support for Ukraine's efforts to promote accountability, but have called on the Government to do more to help the country rebuild and recover from the ongoing conflict with Russia. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the UK must do more to support Ukraine's efforts to hold those responsible for war crimes to account.
The UK's support for the Council of Europe and its partnership with the OSCE is also seen as a key aspect of the Government's broader efforts to strengthen the UK's relationships with its European neighbours. The Council of Europe is a leading human rights organisation, and its partnership with the OSCE is seen as a key component of the UK's efforts to promote stability and security in the region.