“Greece, following a rules-based foreign policy, will continue to strongly oppose any unlawful use of force and support the peaceful settlement of disputes and full respect for International Law“, emphasized the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis in his statement during the High Level Meeting of the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva.

Mr. Gerapetritis pointed out that currently the challenges for individual human rights are increasing: “For more than 20 years, in my capacity as a professor of Constitutional Law, I have tried to convey to young people the need to respect the universality and indivisibility of rights. But today’s situation requires an immediate reconsideration of the traditional concepts of Human Rights Law.” Rights that had been ignored for decades are coming to the fore again: “Among others, the right to food and water, but also the right to a peaceful life, including the universal prohibition of all forms of forced or de facto displacement.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs did not fail to mention “the rights of future generations, including the obligation of states to implement resilient and sustainable policies against the climate crisis and the over-consumption of natural capital».

Referring to the crisis in the Middle East, Mr. Gerapetritis emphasized that “humanitarian principles are severely tested by the tragic loss of civilians and the use of hostages as a bargaining chip, a flagrant violation of human dignity” and relayed: Greece maintains that humanitarian aid must continue unhindered, hostilities must cease immediately and peace must be fully restored. “We are also concerned about the ongoing conflicts worldwide, where the rights of women and children are substantially violated, and of course the situation in the Red Sea, where the safety of navigation is critically endangered“, added the foreign minister.

In relation to Ukraine, “two years since the illegal and immoral Russian invasion” in the country, the foreign minister reiterated Athens’ support “in its struggle to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, because this is a defense of the values ​​of liberal democracy and International Law against aggression and revisionism”.

Analyzing the policy pursued by the Greek government in relation to the protection of human rights, Mr. Gerapetritis spoke of “specific standard»:

“We implement multifaceted strategic plans to protect vulnerable groups, based on the principles of non-discrimination and diversity».

In this context, he noted, a series of Action Plans are being implemented for gender equality, the protection of minors, ensuring equal opportunities for people with disabilities, the integration of refugees and the rights of LGBTI+.

“Since 2015, the Coast Guard has rescued more than half a million migrants at sea,” the Greek Foreign Minister emphasized. In addition, all those who have applied for refugee status are provided with humane living conditions and the possibility of speedy processing of their applications. Mr. Gerapetritis also reminded that just a few days ago the Greek Parliament passed a new law that provides for same-sex marriage.

The Foreign Minister reserved special reference to the Muslim minority of Thrace, refuting “the completely non-existent comments that were heard yesterday in this room»: «We have always attached special importance to the minority, as its members enjoy both special protection as a minority and full rights as citizens of Greece and the EU».

After all, he pointed out, its demographic growth over the last 100 years is eloquent proof that it continues to flourish and prosper.

Mr Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s special appreciation and firm support for the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and outlined the guidelines of the Greek candidacy for a position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-26, as well as for one seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2028-2030:

“World leaders should first identify and take effective measures to implement the rights protected by International Law and, above all, by the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights». Everyone should be held accountable for acts that violate universally recognized rights, he stressed.

In any case, he stressed, Greece will continue to support effective multilateralism and cooperate closely with all countries and all UN Human Rights mechanisms with the aim of ensuring and promoting freedom, equality and non-exclusion. “There is no room for delays. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may be too late“, Mr. Gerapetritis said in conclusion.