Presenting the UK's 2017 FCO human rights report to parliament last week the UK's minister of state for the Commonwealth and the UN at the FCO, Lord Ahmad, reiterated the need to ensure justice and accountability for human rights violations committed globally and announced the UK would be hosting a follow-up summit on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict next year.
The report, which noted that "limited progress" had been made on human rights in Sri Lanka and that reports of torture and surveillance by security forces persisted, looked at the human rights situation in countries in 2017.
"The UK will also continue to press for the release of private land occupied by the military or the payment of suitable compensation to landowners," the report further noted.
Speaking to parliament, Lord Ahmad highlighted the 'Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict' initiative which was launched by the UK government, and stressed that it remained a key priority.
"Four years on from the Global Summit where PSVI was launched by the then Foreign Secretary William Hague, , it is important that we must redouble our efforts to reduce stigma; improve justice for survivors, a key priority as I said for myself on my visit to Iraq; and work to prevent sexual violence in conflict once and for all. We have seen it unravelling in Burma: women, children, young girls and yes young boys as well, falling victim. It is that kind of violence we must call for an end for. In doing so, we must ensure justice and accountability: Accountability for the perpetrators, justice for the survivors."
"So I am therefore delighted that next year the UK will be hosting an international meeting in 2019 to take stock of the progress that has been made, mark the successes, identify new areas of focus, and to stimulate the international community into further action on this important priority."