Baroness Cox Letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab MP Concerning Sanctions Imposed on Syria

Baroness Cox has authored a letter and co-signed, alongside two former ambassadors to Syria, two former Archbishop’s of Canterbury, a former Chief of General Staff of the British Army, a former Chief of Naval Staff and many others, a letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab imploring him to end the economic sanctions on Syria.

The letter of the 24th July reads as follows:

The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State.

Dear First Secretary of State,

We write, first, to commend the introduction of a sanctions regime to target those involved in serious human rights violations. Such a forensic approach, you suggest, will send a clear and direct message to perpetrators of abuse without punishing the wider population of a country.

Baroness Cox Letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab Concerning Conflict on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border

Baroness Cox has written to Dominic Rabb, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, concerning the rising tensions and violence on the Armenia-Azerbaijani border. The letter of the 17th July reads as follows:

Dear Dominic,

I write to express my deep concerns about the serious risk of escalating conflict at the Armenia-Azerbaijani border – a matter of especial concern in the midst of a global pandemic.

Azerbaijan recently deployed artillery batteries close to civilian populations in Tavush, north-eastern Armenia, far north of the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh. I understand that four Armenian sergeants and officers were killed on 14 July. Ten servicemen are receiving medical treatment, one of whom remains in a critical condition.

I am deeply concerned by reports that the Azerbaijani military has since opened fire in the direction of a face mask production factory, which plays an essential part in the country’s coronavirus response; an attack this morning against a kindergarten in the village of Aygepar, Tavush; as well as reports that the Azeri Defence Minister has called for mass annihilation of the Armenian population and has threatened to target Armenia’s nuclear power station.

Baroness Cox Statement on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Border Clashes

Baroness Cox has released the following statement in response to the violence on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border:

“Recent military aggression by Azerbaijan against Armenia is deeply disturbing. The tragic war in which Azerbaijan tried to carry out ethnic cleansing of the historically Armenian enclave which Stalin placed in Azerbaijan should not be forgotten or repeated. This territory, Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) deserves international recognition of independence as much as recently independent nations such as East Timor, Eritrea and Kosovo. However, this has not been achieved because of intransigent opposition by Azerbaijan.

In 2016, Azerbaijan attempted to initiate a war which caused inevitable widespread suffering and a picture of an Azerbaijani soldier holding the head of a young Armenian soldier was widely circulated. Azerbaijan has long been threatening military conquest of Armenia and the international community must do everything in its power to stop another war from erupting.”
(The Baroness Cox of Queensbury 15/07/2020.)

Baroness Cox, Supports Open Letter To Protect Jasmine from FGM and allow her to stay in the UK

To: The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, The Secretary of State for the Home Department

Baroness Cox said in the Guardian Newspaper: “Rather than digging its heels in over this case, the Home Office should use this opportunity to send a clear message to perpetrators that the UK does not tolerate FGM; that we will always champion the voice of the victim; and that we will do everything we can to ensure girls like Jasmine have the opportunity to make the most of their potential, without fear of being hurt by those closest to them.”

The letter published by the the Good Law Project alongside a petition launched on Friday.

We, the undersigned, write as concerned citizens in support of Jasmine (real name changed) and her family being granted refugee status to stay in the UK. Jasmine is age 11 and is at high risk of female genital mutilation (“FGM”) if she is returned to Bahrain or Sudan. Her story was featured in the Guardian on 3 July 2020 and it has roused significant public support.

Baroness Cox on Twitter, Zoom and Skype

Baroness Cox humanitarian work and advocacy in the United Kingdom's Parliament continued unabated during COVID - 19 lock down. Utilizing social media she keeps in contact with the many partners and colleagues around the world.

Here are some of the recent tweets and engagements she has taken part in using Zoom, Skype and other social media platforms during this time.