25 March 2026 15:06 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government says backs resolution but registers reservations

Key points

Supports resolution; records reservations
Limits HRC mandate on reparations and peace and security; cites UNSC role

TL;DR

UK Government says it stands with Gulf friends and allies and will continue to act in their defence
UK Government says Iran’s actions are endangering civilians, destabilising the region and threatening the global economy
UK Government says it co-sponsored the resolution but records reservations on the text and on the Human Rights Council's mandate regarding inter-state reparations and threats to international peace and security
UK Government notes jurisdiction is primarily territorial, says law of the sea references should be read as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and says its support is without prejudice to longstanding positions

Original text

We welcome this Urgent Debate. As we said earlier today, we stand with our Gulf friends and allies, and will continue to act in their defence. Iran’s actions are endangering civilians, destabilising the region and threatening the global economy. That is why we co-sponsored this resolution. However, we wish to put on record some of our reservations on the text. We do not think it is within the mandate of the Human Rights Council to determine the need for inter-state reparations. Nor should the Human Rights Council determine that conflicts represent threats to international peace and security – that is for the Security Council, as it determined in resolution 2817. We understand OP1 as reflecting a determination already made by the UNSC. We also note that human rights obligations only apply within the jurisdiction of a State party and jurisdiction is primarily territorial. And we want to be clear that the international law of the sea is as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and references to it in the resolution should be read accordingly. The UK’s support for this resolution is based on our overarching concern on the situation in the region and is without prejudice to our longstanding position on these issues; the language in this text should not be considered as a future precedent which the UK deems acceptable.

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