David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Thursday 02 July, 2009

Irish Eyes Smiling

As I explained on Irish radio yesterday the deal secured by Ireland at the European council for a decision in respect of legal guarantees about the Lisbon Treaty, to be followed by the annexing of the decision to a future European treaty, is a win-win - good for Ireland and good for the rest of Europe. All parties there except Sinn Fein support a yes vote in the referendum now planned for early October. But no one is taking anything for granted.

The guarantees address concerns about tax, abortion and defence - and assure that the Lisbon Treaty does not affect Irish practice. My impression is that Irish voters are going to give them a good look. The fact that every country will keep a commissioner is also relevant. I can't tell the Irish how to vote. I can say there was a good deal in Brussels.

Posted at 17:47 02 July 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

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Thank You Mr Collins

I arrived at Leinster House wearing a jacket bearing only passing resemblance to my trousers. My jacket went off the BMI flight on someone else's shoulders (not the hostess' fault) and I had his jacket. The him in this case - you couldn't make it up - turned out to be a Mr Collins. But not Michael. 

Posted at 17:43 02 July 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

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Forced Marriage

The Forced Marriage Unit today launched new guidelines for front-line practitioners (including teachers, police, and social and health care professionals) aimed at improving the identification and protection of those at risk of forced marriage.

These guidelines are important. Forced marriage is a serious denigration of human rights. Last year the Unit dealt with 420 individual cases, but no-one knows the real scale - it is likely that many instances remain unreported.
 
The Forced Marriage Unit - a joint unit of the FCO and the Home Office - runs a public helpline to provide advice and support to practitioners handling cases of forced marriage and to victims themselves.  For advice call 020 7008 0151 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, or email fmu@fco.gov.uk.  The FCO Global Response Centre can be reached on 020 7008 1500 for out of hours, emergency advice.


Posted at 12:07 02 July 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

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