SECTION VII: Human Rights in Countries of Concern

The countries included in this section are amongst those where we have the
most serious wide-ranging human rights concerns. When deciding on which
countries to include, we also considered whether the country had been the
target of a high level of UK engagement on human rights in 2010, and
whether it would be likely to effect positive change in the wider region if their
human rights record improved.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of human rights violations,

either globally or in the featured countries, of the type published by some
international NGOs. Neither is it a league table. We continue to have
concerns about countries not included in this section. The reports in this
section are instead designed to provide an insight into some of the key
concerns and actions of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Other
UK government departments, notably the Department for International
Development (DFID), also undertake substantial work abroad in the field of
human rights that is not covered here.

Our human rights reporting on the FCO website has been expanded. This is
frequently updated and provides the most current information about the latest
developments. More information about the human rights situation and the
work of our embassies and high commissions in these countries of concern is
available online.

We will continue to raise our human rights concerns wherever and whenever
they arise, including with those countries with which we are seeking closer
ties. All of our embassies and high commissions monitor and raise human
rights issues in their host countries. Where possible, we also respond to
individual cases if persecution or discrimination has occurred. We also work
bilaterally and with other EU member states to encourage changes in
practices and laws to strengthen the local human rights situation.