Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Katrougalos, today presented Migration Policy Minister Ioannis Mouzalas’ candidacy for the position of Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe to Ambassadors and representatives of the Athens diplomatic missions of Council of Europe member states.
Presenting Mr. Mouzalas’ candidacy and praising the character and tenacious activism of the Migration Policy Minister, Mr. Katrougalos stressed the importance Greece attaches to the protection of human rights and the rule of law, to the benefit of European citizens, both within the European Union and in all other international organizations, including, first and foremost, the Council of Europe. The Alternate Foreign Minister stressed that he believes, for the above reasons, Mr. Mouzalas’ candidacy to be of high moral and political symbolism.
In his own remarks, Mr. Mouzalas focused on the importance of the Commissioner’s role as an active defender of human rights in the member states of the Council of Europe. He underscored that human rights cannot concern only politicians and those in power, but should be an issue for all of society, and mainly for young people. He stressed the need to build on the progress that has already been achieved in order to revitalise the protection of human rights and upgrade the goals and priorities of an institution that defends fundamental European values.
The Justice Ministry’s Secretary General for Transparency and Human Rights, Maria Giannakaki, also participated in the presentation of the candidacy.
The floor was then taken by some of the ambassadors in attendance, who spoke favourably of the Greek candidacy.
November 3, 2017