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Global issues

Human rights

We're working to support human rights, democracy and good governance around the world - these are critical to preventing and resolving conflict.

Promoting human rights

Burmese pro-democracy demonstrator. © TENGKU BAHAR/AFP/Getty ImagesAs a member of the United Nations it is our obligation to promote: 'the universal respect for, and observance of the human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion'.

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the core international human rights treaties provide the basis for our work.

We work through the UN (and its bodies), international institutions like the EU and with other countries to promote ratification and implementation of these treaties.

We believe that societies that respect and promote human rights will be less vulnerable to conflict and more able to peacefully resolve disputes - lack of respect for human rights is at the heart of many conflicts.

Effective and sustained post-conflict resolutions need to ensure the human rights of all peoples are respected and promoted - groups such as minorities, women, children and the disabled can be particularly vulnerable.

The UK is also an elected member of the UN Human Rights Council. 

Our Business and Human Rights Toolkit has been produced with UKTI (UK Trade & Investment), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for International Development (DfID), explaining how business operations may affect human rights, actions staff can take overseas to promote human rights, and guidance on complaints against UK companies using the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s National Contact Point.

Business and Human Rights Toolkit [PDF, 327KB]

We also provide the following documents designed to help our overseas posts to promote human rights.

Human rights report 2008 cover Annual FCO human rights reports

Annual Report on Human Rights 2008 [PDF, 5.73MB, 194 pages]

This is the 11th FCO annual report on human rights.

We have also produced the Foreign Secretary's response to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Seventh Report of Session 2008-9 which was presented to Parliament. 

Response of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs [PDF, 327KB]


Democracy

Thai voter at the ballot box. © MUHAMMAD SABRI/AFP/Getty ImagesWe promote democracy around the world because this form of government is far more likely to prevent conflict:

  • accountable and representative governments are far less likely to resolve disputes by armed conflict
  • resources are more likely to be fairly managed in society – this reduces potential for conflict
  • human rights and are better respected in democracies – this is critical to preventing conflict
  • elected governments better represent society, including women, the poor, and minorities
  • maintaining peace is in the interest of representative governments
  • citizens have the right to protest and criticise a government without the risk of state punishment
  • principles of free-speech and independent media are better protected.

122 of the world's 194 countries are either electoral democracies or moving towards democracy (2007).

How are we promoting democracy?

We work with and support a range of UK, international, government and non-government partners to promote democracy around the world:

With these partners we:

  • support countries that wants to adopt democracy and effective representation
  • promote better political institutions, electoral processes, parliaments, civil society, media and political parties
  • observe international elections.

Good governance

Pakistani election officials begin counting ballots. © BANARAS KHAN/AFP/Getty ImagesGood governance is an essential part to preventing conflict because it helps give a country:

  • genuine democracy and participation, representation and accountability
  • human rights protection
  • respect for the rule of law and access to a justice framework
  • an effective civil society in public life
  • good public administration - public finances and a professional and impartial civil service
  • decentralised local government with the participation of local people.

We co-published a policy paper, 'Governance, Development and Democratic Politics', with the Department of International Development in March 2007.

It sets out how we will support the complex process of building democratic governance, particularly in challenging countries where people experience the greatest poverty.

See the Department of International Development website for more info about the UK Government’s policy on good governance.

Forced Marriage Unit

Information on what the FCO's Forced Marriage Unit does, and links to information for victims and professionals.

Burma

Geneva Conventions at 60

Your chance to comment on the Geneva Protocols

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

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