Eleanor Sanders

I held a productive meeting in Geneva with Eleanor Sanders to discuss strengthening cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the United Kingdom on human rights and institutional development. I expressed my appreciation for the United Kingdom’s continued partnership and support, particularly for the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development. Our discussions also highlighted Somalia’s recent progress in advancing human rights, including the establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission and the landmark agreement signed with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. 🇸🇴🇬🇧

St Petersburg City Court in Russia has designated the Russian LGBTI Network an “extremist organisation.” This makes the third ruling of this kind within a month, with other LGBTI groups, Coming Out and the LGBT Resource Centre, being given the same "extremist" label last month. This further exacerbates Russia’s persecution of the so-called 'international LGBT movement.’ Russian authorities must immediately stop misusing anti-extremism legislation to repress LGBTI people and reverse all homophobic policies.

I’m appalled by continuing restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s new criminal procedure code legitimises domestic violence and targets women and minorities. These oppressive measures must be rescinded. The rights of all Afghans must be protected.