During his meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra΄ad al Hussein, on Wednesday, 2 March, at the UN Office at Geneva, Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Amanatidis expressed the Greek government’s gratitude for the High Commissioner’s work in the area of Human Rights and for the tangible, qualitative results of this work, which contributes to the promotion and safeguarding of Human Rights throughout the world.
“With the High Commissioner we had an in-depth discussion of the violation of human rights resulting from the escalating refugee crisis,” Mr. Amanatidis noted.
People will continue to flee their ancestral homes as long as wars continue around the world. “The countries of the developed world have a duty to protect them, as no one chooses to be a refugee.”
To deal with the problems in our day, there need to be “collective solutions. Unilateral measures and the closing of borders are not a solution. In fact, they have serious repercussions, provoking a large-scale humanitarian crisis,” Mr. Amanatidis concluded.
Mr. Zeid Ra΄ad al Hussein, having welcomed Mr. Amanatidis, stated that the UN High Commission for Human Rights recognizes the major challenges Greece is facing, referring to the “verification of the Greek government’s predictions regarding the escalation of the refugee/migration crisis.”
Mr. Zeid Ra΄ad al Hussein also praised the solidarity shown by the Greek government and Greek society with the refugees.
Earlier, Mr. Amanatidis met with the UN Director General in Geneva, Michael Moller, and, having thanked him for the UN’s support on the refugee/migration issue, welcomed the recent statements of support from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, for Greece.
Mr. Moller stated that, due to his institutional role, “he will provide his services,” expressing his availability to assist our country in any way with the refugee/migration issue. “I am open to discussions, and any new ideas are welcome,” he stressed.
Mr. Moller also noted that, by reaching out to the High Commission for Refugees, he is “promoting” the candidacy of Lesvos residents for the Nobel peace prize, while he noted how impressed he is by the solidarity shown by Greek society in the management of the refugee crisis.
The two collocutors agreed – ahead of the reopening of “hopeful” consultations on the Syrian crisis, on 9 March, in Geneva, under the coordination of the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura – that “the solution to the refugee crisis is the ending of the war in Syria.”
Finally, Mr. Amanatidis underscored the need to strengthen the interreligious dialogue in order to tear down stereotypes and promote better understanding between peoples and more effective handling of the migrations/refugee crisis, calling on the UN to do everything in its power to deal with hunger on a global level.
Mr. Amanatidis also met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer, in a warm atmosphere.
The Greek Deputy Foreign Minister conveyed the Greek government’s gratitude to the head of the Red Cross, an organization lending practical support to Greece.
Mr. Amanatidis briefed Mr. Maurer on the mobilization of the Greek government and Greek society in providing aid and solidarity to the refugees, underscoring that “the solution to the refugee/migration crisis is the ending of the war in Syria.”
Mr. Maurer stated that “the Red Cross is at Greece’s side,” and that he, personally, is prepared to provide all possible assistance to our country, which is being tested at this time.
Apart from his support for the Greek side, Mr. Maurer expressed his disappointment at the closing of borders and tightening of border controls, speaking of a violation of international humanitarian law.
Concluding, Mr. Maurer acknowledged the additional burden Greek is shouldering and called on the European Union to do more to handle the escalating migration/refugee crisis.
March 3, 2016