The UK Government condemns the assassination of the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017. All those responsible must be held to account and brought to justice. The then Minister for Europe, Wendy Morton spoke to Malta's Foreign Minister on 26 March 2021, and discussed cooperation on media freedom and serious organized crime. The British High Commissioner met Matthew Caruana Galizia, the son of Daphne Caruana Galizia, on 29 September 2021 to discuss the findings of the public inquiry. On 5 March 2020, the Prime Minister discussed the importance of securing justice for Daphne with President Vella during a meeting at 10 Downing Street. We recognise the work of the Council of Europe and in particular Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe in this sphere, and note that recommendations will go to the Committee of Ministers in due course.

The imprisonment of Vladimir Kara-Murza is the latest attempt by Russian authorities to shutdown opposition to their policies. On the 18 May diplomatic representatives from British Embassy Moscow, alongside international partners attended Mr Kara-Murza's appeal hearing. On 26 May, Minister Cleverly met with Mrs Evgenia Kara-Murza to discuss the detention of her husband. On 9 June, we raised his case in the Permanent Council of the OSCE. We continue to call for the Russian Federation to release Vladimir Kara-Murza, and recognise the vital work of the Council of Europe and PACE in this sphere. We note that recommendations will go to the Committee of Ministers in due course for appropriate review.

The Government is committed to continuing to call for the restoration of human rights and rule of law in the North Caucasus region, and recognises the crucial work of the Council of Europe and in particular the PACE in this sphere. We regularly challenge Russia in international fora on their human rights abuses, including those perpetrated in the North Caucasus and encourage Russia to implement European Court of Human Rights judgments- a vital step to ending the climate of impunity in the region. We note that recommendations will go to the Committee of Ministers in due course for appropriate review.

The UK Government is committed to calling for the release of political prisoners in the Russian Federation, and we note the crucial work of the Council of Europe and PACE in this sphere. The UK is deeply concerned by Russian actions, targeting opposition politicians, civil society actors, religious groups, and LGBT people through prosecutions and repressive legislation towards so-called "undesirable" and "extremist" organisations and "foreign agents". We continue to call out Russia in international fora for these actions.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, protecting and promoting the best interests of the child has been at the heart of the action this government has taken, and continues to take. The debate at the Council of Europe highlighted a number of areas impacted by COVID-19 relating to children’s rights, such as education, socio-economic inequality and vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak the government has worked to prioritise vulnerable children. During the outbreak, we were one of few countries across the world to keep schools open for vulnerable children and children of critical workers throughout national restrictions, protecting children’s right to education. We also distributed over 1.3 million laptops and tablets to schools, trusts, local authorities and further education providers for disadvantaged children and young people as part of a £400 million government investment to support access to remote education and online social care services.

We know that the mental health and wellbeing of young people has been affected by the outbreak, and that being back in school and college plays a central role in promoting wellbeing for pupils. That is why we worked hard to ensure that schools were first to reopen in March 2021. We have also announced £17 million towards improving mental health and wellbeing support in schools and colleges, including £7 million additional funding for local authorities to deliver the Wellbeing for Education Recovery programme.

We have put £200 million into Summer Schools, giving secondary pupils access to enrichment activities and this year we are investing up to £220 million in our Holiday Activities and Food programme, which has now been expanded across England.

Children's social care services and early help services have also continued to support vulnerable children and young people and their families throughout the outbreak.

The government is now looking ahead to recovery. We must 'build back better' for vulnerable children and their families to ensure support is available for those that need it most, when they need it. As part of this, we have invested over £3 billion since June 2020 to support education recovery for children aged 2-19 in schools, colleges and early years settings. This will have a material impact in addressing lost learning and closing gaps that have emerged.