Transparency data

Human Rights and the Rules-Based International System: objectives 2020 to 2021

Updated 24 June 2021

1. Overview

Human rights violations and abuses and the absence of the rule of law lead to unstable and less prosperous societies. They create a world where the safety of all individuals, including British citizens, is at greater risk.

The struggle to protect, promote, and strengthen human rights is real and constant. The inadequate protection of human rights creates a cycle of insecurity, instability, and poverty. Human rights are more than just principles enshrined in international law. They are the bedrock of successful and progressive societies. Countries where human rights are respected, including those with a strong record on gender equality, tend to be more prosperous, democratic, and stable. Corruption is less likely to take root, and extremism is less likely to find fertile ground. That is why safeguarding, promoting, and defending human rights is a key and integral part of our work.

The FCDO works to tackle the root causes of human rights violations and abuses, strengthen institutions and governance, promote and protect human rights, and support democracy and the rule of law. The principal funding vehicle for the FCDO’s human rights work and support of the rules-based international system is through the International Programme. The COVID-19 pandemic has put an international focus on human rights, and the UK has continued its support to deliver objectives through difficult global circumstances.

2. Objectives on supporting Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rules-Based International System

The UK promotes and defends the full range of universal human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. The UK strongly encourages all States to abide by and fulfil their obligations under international law. FCDO human rights objectives currently place a particular emphasis on:

• working closely with domestic and international partners to drive the international effort to combat modern slavery and ensure that this effort is recognised as a global moral imperative
• standing up for the freedom of people of any or no religion to practise their beliefs in peace and safety
• supporting the right of human rights defenders to carry out their work, and being able to voice their opinions freely and safely
• promoting the development and strengthening of democracy, including through the work of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy
• opposing the death penalty and the use of torture as a matter of principle, in all circumstances
• continuing the UK’s commitment to defend and support media freedom internationally, building on commitments made at the 2019 global conference

In its support for upholding the rules-based international system (RBIS), the UK focuses on strengthening relationships between States through international institutions and frameworks, with shared rules and agreements on behaviour. Specific objectives are:

• strengthening the efficiency and capacity of the United Nations, the world’s leading multilateral institution, including marking its 75 anniversary. Demonstrating UK commitment to Responsibility to Protect, and atrocity prevention
• supporting increased UK representation at all levels in multilateral institutions
• strengthening the rule of law across Commonwealth countries, a worldwide partnership of diversity and shared values
• supporting the International Criminal Court and other tribunals involved in global efforts to end impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern
• working with business and civil society, including supporting adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Responsible Business to support and promote responsible practice by global extractives businesses

The UK government is committed to a foreign policy that consciously and consistently delivers gender equality. This has meant providing funding to support:

• the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative in (i) strengthening justice for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and holding the perpetrators to account. (ii) supporting all survivors and children born of conflict-related sexual violence, and tackling the stigma they face. (iii) preventing and responding to sexual violence in conflict, including through militaries and police
• the opportunity for all girls to receive 12 years of quality education. Focus on providing support for out of school girls, tackling the barriers that are stopping girls from accessing education, and ensuring their safe return to school
• women’s meaningful inclusion in peace processes; and increasing support and protection to women resolving conflict; countering violent extremism; and building peace at the grassroots level
• supporting and advocating for the right for all people, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, to live with dignity, free from prejudice, violence, or discrimination

3. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and supporting Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rules-Based International System

This programme strand is a blend of ODA and non-ODA. ODA scoring within this programme is limited to ODA-eligible countries. The majority of the 30 Human Rights Priority Countries identified in the FCDO’s Annual Human Rights Report are eligible to receive ODA funding.

This programme complements the FCDO’s wider work in support of human rights, democracy, and the rules-based international system, including projects under the cross-government Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.

4. Supporting Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rules-Based International System Objectives for financial year (FY) 2020 to 2021

This programme supports the FCDO’s strategic objective to project our global influence as a force for good. It also helps to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG5 (Gender Equality), and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Projects cover a wide range of themes, reflecting the breadth of ambition described above, ranging from projects promoting and defending human rights, democracy, and the rule of law to strengthening multilateral institutions and building stability, security, and good governance overseas.

5. Supporting Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rules-Based International System Programme during FY 2019 to 2020

In 2019 to 2020, the programme supported projects across the range of themes. The FCO publishes an annual Human Rights report, including delivery through policy programmes.

6. Support Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rules-Based International System programme allocation for FY 2020 to 2021

The ODA allocation for 2020 to 2021 for the human rights, democracy, and the rules-based international system programme is £8,500,000. This reduced allocation is reflective of the decision taken by the FCO to pause programming at the start of FY 2020 to 2021, in order to respond to COVID-19 including re-prioritising ODA budgets in summer 2020.