Author: HM Government

If the person who died had insurance, contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad if you’re not sure if they had insurance. The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Slovakia and the UK. They may also cover the cost of […]

The ICG reiterates its concerns over the continued conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impediment that the conflict poses to regional stability and prosperity. The ICG also restates its support for the ongoing international peace efforts facilitated by Qatar, the US, African Union-appointed mediator Faure Gnassingbé, […]

We have seen the reports cited by the Russian Federation regarding an alleged drone hit in Starobilsk, Ukrainian territory currently under temporary Russian occupation. At this stage, as we have heard from the briefers, the incident has not been objectively or independently verified.  And as Russia refuses to allow any independent verification, we may sadly never get […]

I thank the Deputy Prosecutor Khan for her briefing to the Council today and for her presentation of the Office’s latest report. As other colleagues have said, we regret that the Deputy Prosecutor was unable to brief the Council in person today, as mandated by the Council. Mr President, I will make three points. First, the […]

Notices Sanctions Notice, Isil Da’esh and Al-Qaeda: 31 March 2026 (PDF, 128 KB, 3 pages) Sanctions Notice, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida: 27 March 2026 (PDF, 176 KB, 5 pages) Sanctions Notice, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida: 2 March 2026 (PDF, 173 KB, 5 pages) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office notices issued from 28 January 2026 about […]

New sniffer dogs, trained handlers and specialist equipment provided by UK Government to intercept more small boat supplies and illegal narcotics before they reach the UK  Joint operations between the UK National Crime Agency and Bulgarian authorities saw 91 small boats and six engines intercepted in Bulgaria in 2025. The new dogs build on the success […]

Thank you, Mr Chair. The United Kingdom welcomes Deputy Head of Mission Susan Penska to the Permanent Council, and thanks her and her team for this comprehensive report. The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the important work and mandate of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and the Mission’s key ongoing role in supporting government […]

Thank you, Mr Chair. The United Kingdom welcomes Deputy Head of Mission Susan Penska to the Permanent Council, and thanks her and her team for this comprehensive report. The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the important work and mandate of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and the Mission’s key ongoing role in supporting government […]

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom […]

We are deeply concerned about a recent series of backward steps going against the global movement towards universal abolition of the death penalty, as outlined in the Global Report on Death Sentences and Executions 2025 recently released by Amnesty International.  This includes a sharp increase in executions in the world, primarily due to a significant […]