The 22nd Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE COP) continues in Vienna.
At yesterday's session of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Hatzigiannis participated in a discussion on accountability for human rights violations in times of conflict.
Mr. Hatzigiannis first expressed his sincere condolences to the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and his sympathy to civil society and rescue teams from various states, who were operating under difficult conditions to save human lives.
The human dimension, the Cypriot MP stressed, is an integral part of the fundamental principle of the OSCE's universal security and as members of the Parliamentary Assembly of this Organisation, we must ensure that human rights remain at the heart of our efforts.
Hatzigiannis noted that, in this context, the opening of investigations by the International Criminal Court into the possible commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity is a necessary development, stressing that those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable. Noting that war crimes, crimes against humanity and other gross violations of human rights undermine any peace process, Hatzigiannis stressed that admission of crimes and violations and accountability facilitate diplomatic efforts to find stable and just political solutions to international conflicts.
Cyprus is well aware of the painful humanitarian consequences of the war and therefore has an additional reason to stand by Ukraine and its people, supporting the same principles of law that have been systematically violated in Cyprus by Turkey for 48 years. The logic of two measures and two stops when it comes to war crimes and massive human rights violations must be abolished in the interest of international peace and justice, he concluded.
Moreover, in the context of the 22nd Winter Meeting, Mr. Hatzigiannis participated in a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration. He also had a private meeting with Ms Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, during which they exchanged views on the challenges facing civil society in Belarus.
(The text as sent by the House of Representatives)
(MHF/EHR)
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