Aug82017

Press release: Scotland’s HALO Trust is leading mines clearance and supporting the local economy

HM Government

International Development Secretary Priti Patel praised Scotland’s HALO Trust for taking the lead in bringing British ingenuity and bravery to mine clearance in some of the world’s most fragile countries, during a visit to the organisation’s headquarters just outside Dumfries today.

Ms Patel announced support to HALO, Manchester-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Norwegian People’s Aid, which will help to make 15 million square metres of land safe again and enable 15,000 community visits to educate people – especially children – on the dangers of living with landmines.

The UK Government’s work with HALO is a key part of the economy in Dumfries and Ms Patel met with many local businesses who contribute to Britain’s lifesaving work overseas and help to create jobs in the UK.

This included Penman Engineering who make armoured vehicles; Soltyre, bespoke tyre makers for rough terrain; and ScotJCB who make heavy duty machinery.

Ms Patel was joined by the Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, during her visit.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel said:

Landmines are indiscriminate weapons of war that maim and kill innocent children every day. Scottish organisations like HALO Trust are at the forefront of the UK’s efforts, bringing British ingenuity, determination and bravery to save lives and make some of the world’s most fragile countries safer and more stable.

I’m pleased to have met with so many of the local companies that provide the specialist equipment HALO needs to carry out its dangerous and difficult work – they represent the best of British expertise.

By involving British businesses in our lifesaving work overseas, we are supporting local economies right across the UK and helping to create and protect jobs.

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said:

This is a great example of how the UK’s aid commitment to help those most in need around the world also works here at home in our national interest. Scotland is at the heart of the UK’s international aid efforts – with hundreds of staff working in East Kilbride as well as contracts going to many Scottish companies.

The companies working with the HALO Trust are making a real contribution to some of the poorest communities on earth – and in doing so are creating jobs and driving growth in Scotland. This is just one example of why our aid strategy is so important and why we are so proud to be meeting our commitment as a world-leader in international aid.

HALO Trust is one of the leading global NGOs on demining. Since 1988 the HALO Trust has destroyed over 1.6 million landmines and nearly 12 million unexploded ordnance. The HALO Trust currently works in 20 countries or territories. Last year they:

  • made 74 million square metres of land safe, directly benefitting 1.8 million people
  • destroyed 395,000 mines and unexploded ordnance
  • delivered mine risk education session to 330,000 children and adults (including 91,500 children)
  • ensured that 61% of cleared land was released for agriculture which is vital for communities

The UK is one of the world’s leading contributors to demining. New support announced earlier this year at Kensington Palace will make safe land, equivalent to the size of over 20,000 football pitches, and help 800,000 people live their lives free from the threat of mines.

Notes to Editors

  • Today’s announcement is an £8.1m funding extension to the current Global Mine Action Programme, which is delivered by HALO, MAG and Norwegian People’s Aid.
  • This funding allocation is for the financial year 2017/18.
  • Local companies in Dumfriesshire have benefitted from over £5 million of business from the HALO Trust over the past 10 years.
  • The UK’s work removes and destroys landmines, but also focuses on education to ensure the local community is aware of the risk.
  • The UK was a founding signatory of the Mine Ban Treaty and a number of UK organisations such as Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the Halo Trust are at the forefront of global efforts to make the world mine-free.
  • With concerted effort we can make a real difference. Through the support of UK aid, Mozambique was declared mine-free in 2015, joining 26 countries that have completed mine clearance in the past 20 years.
  • More than 60 million people still live with the daily threat of injury or death and the basic rights of safe access to health services, education, agricultural land and infrastructure continue to be denied to communities around the world.
  • The UK government confirmed it would be tripling its support for demining this year at an event at Kensington Palace.

Aug82017

News story: Process update on the Secretary of State’s consideration of the proposed merger between 21st Century Fox Inc. and Sky Plc.

HM Government

Process update, 8 August 2017.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has written to Ofcom under section 106B(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002, seeking further clarification in relation to representations made on the Secretary of State’s referral decision.

After assessing the large number of representations made in relation to the Secretary of State’s referral decision, a number of these raise new evidence and/or comment on the Ofcom assessment.

Any referral decision by the Secretary of State must be taken on the basis of a valid assessment of all the relevant evidence. For this reason the DCMS has asked Ofcom to advise on a number of points arising from these representations. The Department has asked that the advice is provided as soon as possible and no later than 25 August 2017.

All effort continues to carry out this process in a transparent and timely way. The Department’s letter to Ofcom and Ofcom’s response will be published in due course.

Aug82017

Ahead of elections, UN calls on Kenyan authorities to ensure peaceful polls

United Nations

7 August 2017 – On the eve of Tuesday’s general elections in Kenya to elect the President and other officials, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on all national stakeholders to renew their commitment to credible and peaceful elections, as well as their confidence in the institutions constitutionally mandated to conduct the elections.

&#8220The Secretary-General has been closely following developments pertaining to the electoral process in Kenya, and he has remained in regular contact with the relevant political leaders and other key stakeholders,&#8221 said his Spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement.

&#8220The Secretary-General underlines the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as professional and impartial conduct of law enforcement officials during the elections,&#8221 the Spokesman added.

Meanwhile, three United Nations human rights experts have urged the Government to ensure that all parties maintain the highest standards of behaviour before, during and after Tuesday’s general elections to avoid a repeat of the violence that took place in 2007.

&#8220We call on the Kenyan authorities to do their utmost to ensure peaceful elections, as well as a free and fair voting process tomorrow,&#8221 said the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Annalisa Ciampi, on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, and on summary executions, Agnes Callamard.

&#8220Respect for people’s fundamental rights and freedoms &#8211 including the right to vote, freedom of expression, association and assembly &#8211 are the key to free and fair elections and public participation,&#8221 they noted in a joint statement.

Since 2007, when the country plunged into bloodshed over disputed election results, &#8220Kenya had made significant progress in strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law,&#8221 they said, noting it had taken important steps towards peacefully resolving tensions in the context of elections.

&#8220However, in the light of recent incidents of political violence, the rise of hate speech and prevailing tensions, we emphasize the importance of all those involved in the process to commit themselves to peaceful conduct during and after elections,&#8221 they said.

&#8220We also call on their supporters to remain peaceful and refrain from any incitement to violence,&#8221 added the experts.

The Special Rapporteurs welcomed the Government’s commitment not to shut down the internet, urging the authorities to ensure that media and civil society could report on and scrutinize the poll unhindered.

They also highlighted the responsibility of security forces to facilitate the holding of peaceful demonstrations, and to hold constructive dialogue with protesters in an effort to defuse any tensions.