Press Release - Standing Group Welcomes Steps by UK Government to Support Sovereignty, Peace, and Security of Bosnia
London, 17 November 2025 - The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes welcomes recent steps taken by the UK Government to support the sovereignty, peace, and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On 16 October 2025, the Standing Group published a policy briefing outlining threats to Bosnia and Herzegovina and recommending immediate actions to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and reinforce the peace established by the Dayton Agreement of 14 December 1995. The briefing was shared in advance with relevant institutions and partners.
Recent UK actions reflect several of these recommendations. On 9 October 2025, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a £4 million grant to help Bosnia counter Russian disinformation and cyberattacks. On 31 October 2025, the UK reaffirmed its support for the mandates of EUFOR Althea and the Office of the High Representative, and for Bosnia’s democratic Euro-Atlantic path. On 14 November 2025, Defence Secretary John Healey deployed the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, to strengthen security and resilience on the ground.
Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the Standing Group welcomes these commitments, which align with its recommendations. The deployment of the 1st Battalion will have a critical deterrence effect. The Standing Group further urges continued UK support for proactive peace-building initiatives and close cooperation with democratic partners in Bosnia on inclusive, participatory constitutional reform.
The Standing Group expresses its gratitude to members of its Advisory Board — particularly Richard Foord MP, David Taylor MP, and Baroness Helić — for their ongoing work in support of Bosnia’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
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Referenced Policy Note: Critical Preventative Measures: Maintaining Bosnia’s Sovereignty, Peace, and Security. Issued by: Executive Committee, Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes. Date: 16 Oct 2025. Authors: Aarif Abraham, Dr Kurt Bassuener, Dr Valery Perry.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes is an independent initiative dedicated to urgently strengthening the United Kingdom’s approach to atrocity prevention and response. It comprises a group of leading international lawyers and cross-party parliamentarians and policy advisers. The Standing Group makes timely, impactful, and expert recommendations to government officials, policymakers, and civil society to bring the UK Government closer to creating a comprehensive framework to prevent and respond to international crimes.
Committee Chair: Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC
Advisory Board Chair: Rotating
Executive Committee Members, as of 14 Oct 2025, include:
Prof. Payam Akhavan, Prof. Christine Chinkin, Federica D’Alessandra, Dr. Fernand De Varennes, Alistair Fernie, Andrew Gilmour CMG, Wayne Jordash KC, Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC (Chair), Oleksandra Matviichuk, Jason McCue, Rupert Skilbeck, Dr. Ewelina Ochab (Convener), and Aarif Abraham (Convener)
Advisory Board Members, as of 14 Oct 2025, include:
Lord David Alton KCSG, Lord Alfred Dubs, Richard Foord MP, Baroness Arminka Helić, Baroness Fiona Hodgson CBE, Blair McDougall MP (ex offcio), Brendan O’Hara MP, Baroness Liz Sugg CBE, David Taylor MP, Melanie Ward MP, Luke de Pulford, and James Jennion
Conveners: Aarif Abraham & Dr Ewelina Ochab
Contact / Correspondence:
FAO Secretariat of the Standing Group,
Website: https://www.atrocitystandinggroup.org
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