The Belarusian presidential elections on 9 August 2020 saw President Lukashenko re-elected based on official results. However, media organisations have widely reported that the elections were not free or fair. The UK Government has described Mr Lukashenko’s subsequent inauguration as fraudulent. The election result has led to protests and allegations of human rights abuses in the country.
At the Queen’s Speech on 11 May 2021, the Government will outline its legislative agenda for the next parliamentary session. This article considers what may be announced in the areas of foreign affairs, defence and international development.
The Government published the outcome of its year-long integrated review (IR) of foreign policy, defence, security and international development in March 2021. The IR sets out a strategic framework for achieving the UK’s national security and international policy objectives between now and 2025. The House of Lords is due to debate the IR on 22 April 2021.
In Focus
As part of its sustainable development goals, the United Nations (UN) has called for women to achieve full and effective participation in political life by 2030. Currently, women account for 25.5% of national representatives worldwide. The UN has said that with the current rate of action gender parity will not be reached for another 130 years. This article considers which countries are leading on political gender parity and what barriers to full participation remain.
In Focus
In 2020, the Commonwealth postponed its 26th Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has since announced that the meeting will take place in June 2021.
In Focus
The Government has said that it intends to publish its integrated review on security, defence, foreign policy and development this month. As part of this, the Government is considering how the UK can work more effectively with its allies. The UK engages in various bilateral defence relationships. This article considers some of those relationships and highlights details of the integrated review.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on world affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month include a look at faith in Nigeria, and the lasting impact of the Arab Spring.
In Focus
It is estimated that there are around 40.3 million victims of modern slavery worldwide. Of these, about 40% are thought to live in the Commonwealth. In the last few years, the UK Government has distributed £200 million in aid to fund international projects to tackle modern slavery. It has also committed to tackling modern slavery in supply chains. Campaigners have said that progress on the issue amongst Commonwealth governments overall has been slow.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on Brexit developments with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at British influence post-Brexit, and trade relations between the EU and China.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on world affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month include a look at protest movements in Africa, and the unrest in Washington DC.
In Focus
Covid-19 has impacted the work of LGBTI+ organisations around the world. This article looks at a recent report by the Baring Foundation which calls for increased spending by the UK Government on global LGBTI+ rights and outlines the current spending commitments in this area.
In Focus
It has been 25 years since a peace agreement was reached between the three warring parties in Bosnia, marking an end to an ethno-territorial conflict which killed around 100,000 people.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on international affairs articles you may have missed in May 2020, including Germany's approach to tackling coronavirus and plans to reopen the US economy.
In Focus
To mark 75 years since the liberation of the Channel Islands, this article explores how the islands were occupied and how the occupation was debated in the House of Lords.
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