Human Rights Day 2024: Lord Collins' speech

FCDO's Minister for Human Rights, Lord Collins of Highbury, gave a speech at a stakeholder event to mark International Human Rights Day.

"Welcome everyone.

It's great to see you all – both here in the room and all of you online joining from our overseas network.  

At its heart, human rights are about our inherent dignity.

The idea that everyone, regardless of who they are, should be treated with respect.

For me, human rights, rule of law and democratic governance are not just abstract values.

They are powerful enablers for the key missions of this government.

Indeed, the missions of our government, including economic growth, can enable the realisation of rights.

Since I took office, I have seen much of the great work we do to support human rights and democratic governance across the world.  

I passionately believe in our ability to make a positive impact.

But only a coherent approach, working in partnership with others, can deliver the impact we want.

So as Human Rights Minister, I want to share my 5 priorities to help deliver the key missions of the government.

First, I want to focus on defending civic space and fundamental freedoms. 

Because one of the most important ingredients of a healthy democracy is a vibrant civil society and it enables people to hold their governments to account.

Yet a third of the world's population today lives in countries with a closed civic space.

Clearly we need to find better ways of empowering local civil society.

So we will change the way we work with them.

Prioritise their sustainability and help them advocate for the needs of the communities they serve.

And we will promote media freedom to ensure free flow of reliable and trustworthy information.

Finally, we must support human rights defenders, including trade unions and those promoting workers' rights, who sometimes risk their lives by speaking out.

We are doing that by refreshing our human rights defender guidance and redirecting funding to support those at risk.

I am delighted that Becky, a Human Rights Defender from Kenya, will be joining our discussion later today, someone who I met earlier on and heard her first hand account. It's her voice that we need to hear, not simply government voices.

My second priority, is upholding the rule of law.  

We are committed to the institutions that promote the international rule of law, including at the United Nations, the Council of Europe and OSCE.

We need to build and broaden alliances, and listen to the views of others, even where we might disagree.

To that end, I am pleased to confirm that we are bidding for another term on the Human Rights Council from 2026.

It also matters that perpetrators of atrocities know that justice awaits them. 

That's why we strongly support an effective and independent International Criminal Court.

But accountability is not just about justice in international courts, but justice at the local level too.

So we are helping Ukraine build capacity to investigate and prosecute allegations of war crimes in its own judicial system.

And in Nigeria we are sharing best practice with prosecutors on dealing with vulnerable witnesses such as children, and survivors of sexual violence.

We will also continue to promote compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

And I of course, cannot talk about that without mentioning Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is catastrophic and completely unacceptable.

We will work tirelessly with international partners to bring about a ceasefire,  release of hostages, and get aid flowing.

Finally, as the Prime Minister's newly appointed Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, I will put survivors at the heart of our approach, helping amplify their voices and strengthen our collective action.

My third priority is to champion equal rights for all.

Stalling progress on the rights of women, girls, LGBT+ people, and those belonging to other marginalised groups is troubling.

Those fighting the backlash, often face violent reprisals.

Now more than ever, we must stand in solidarity with them.   

We will advocate for the rights and freedoms of women and girls at every opportunity.

That includes sexual and reproductive health and rights.

And we will support Women's Rights Organisations and challenge harmful disinformation.

When it comes to women in politics, I know how stark the challenge is.

That's why we will support the Westminster Foundation for Democracy to work with female parliamentarians to address barriers to their political empowerment.

We have also announced a ground-breaking global programme to tackle online violence and abuse against women and girls around the world, backed by more than £27 million of funding.

Finally, we will defend the rights of people belonging to vulnerable and marginalised groups.

This year, for the first time, we are funding the Commonwealth Disabled People's Forum to advocate for disability rights.

And by championing freedom of religion or belief for all, we are fighting back against the threats so many people face for simply what they do, or do not, believe in.

Moving to my fourth priority, to support accountable, effective, and inclusive institutions.

This is essential for the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 16, building peaceful and inclusive societies.

We will strengthen institutions that contribute to peaceful, free and fair elections and to work with partners to protect democratic processes and strengthen government legitimacy.

In Moldova, for example, we've helped President Sandu's government counter Russian disinformation, and in Brazil we're sharing UK expertise in online safety. 

This is also about improving citizens' faith in democracy.

So in Nigeria, we're supporting Kaduna State to improve budget transparency.

And in Nepal, we're continuing work with the country – to support the transition from conflict to democracy.

My final priority is to respond to the global challenges by prioritising human rights and governance principles.     

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.

For example, we're funding the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience, to remotely verify and document digital content relating to horrific violence relating to conflict in Sudan.

In summary, these priorities are designed to provide a framework to anchor the work of our global network of embassies.

Of course, it is not possible to implement them  everywhere at once.

We will have to prioritise and be realistic.

Change will only happen through partnership with all actors, including many of you in this room.

Because change only happens when we follow up the grand words with practical action, using our diplomatic and development levers to deliver maximum impact on the ground.

Only then can we succeed in giving everyone, and I mean everyone, the dignity they want, need and deserve.

Thank you very much."