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Ladies and gentlemen,
March 21 is internationally commemorated as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to commemorate the killing by police of demonstrators peacefully protesting against apartheid (apartheid) laws in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960.
On this day, the UN calls on all states to unite against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. Unfortunately, today, due to the migration crisis, international instability, populism and the rise of anti-democratic movements, we are once again confronted with racist attitudes, xenophobia and the widespread use of hate speech in the public sphere.
As the House of Representatives, we express our firm commitment to fighting racism and any other form of discrimination through legislative initiatives and other actions. We also express our active support for ensuring respect for human rights and the value of human life without any discrimination.
Dear Colleagues,
Today, 21 March, the Plenary Assembly of the House of Representatives commemorates Mediterranean Day, which was established in 2008 by a decision of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, of which the House is a founding member. This year's "Mediterranean Day" is dedicated to Innovation and Sustainable Urban Development, as part of the Assembly's actions to support emerging ideas that have a positive impact on urban societies in terms of the transition to sustainability.
The complex challenges and needs arising in urban areas, partly due to climate change, require the development of innovative sustainable products, services and systems that promote healthy ecosystems, human well-being and sustainable economies. To this end, multi-level and cross-sectoral cooperation and the strengthening of communication between decision-makers is essential.
In Cyprus, the creation and implementation of sustainable urban development programmes and best practices is emerging, both by institutional and non-institutional actors, such as local authorities, private, academic, research and non-governmental organisations. Such initiatives include waste management and the circular economy, protection against natural disaster risks and the development of green buildings.
To this end, and in support of the work of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, the House of Representatives declares its readiness to support, within the framework of its legislative work, the creation of such mechanisms and procedures that introduce innovation and sustainable development in the urban environment.
Colleagues,
22 March was established by the UN Conference on Environment and Development as World Water Day and the theme for 2024 is the importance of water for peace. This year's theme highlights the critical role of transboundary water cooperation in promoting peace and sustainable development. Transboundary waters account for 60% of global freshwater flows, yet only twenty-four of the one hundred and fifty-three countries that share transboundary waters have cooperation agreements that cover their entire transboundary watershed.
As the House of Representatives, we in turn emphasize the strategic importance of water as a factor for peace and stability, as well as access to clean water as a human right, highlighting the need for sound and sustainable management of water resources.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On 25 March we celebrate the most important moment in the modern history of the Greek nation, the anniversary of the National Regeneration, the glorious Greek Revolution of 1821. The vigour and dream of freedom kept the Greeks unbowed and unyielding through four hundred years of slavery. The spread of the ideas of the French Revolution and philhellenism led to the awakening of the Greek national consciousness, the founding of the Society of Friends in 1814 and, on 25 March 1821, the outbreak of the revolution against Ottoman rule.
Hellenism fought heroically against the mighty empire, writing glorious pages of self-denial, heroism and magnanimity in the history books. The just and holy struggle was successful and the Greeks, after four hundred years of enslavement, threw off the Ottoman yoke and founded in 1830 the first independent national state of the Balkans under the name "Hellas".
Cyprus made its own significant contribution to the course towards the National Regeneration, contributing both animate and inanimate material, as many people rushed to join the armed struggle. Indeed, Cyprus paid a heavy price for its contribution with the hanging of Archbishop Kyprianos and other priests on 9 July 1821, as well as the massacres of many prukhons and democrats, confiscation of property and looting.
The sacred legacy of the revolution of 1821 continues to inspire those who still strive for freedom, while for us the motto "Freedom or Death" is a reminder of our unpaid debt, as the wounds of the brutal Turkish invasion are still open.
I now call upon you to observe a one-minute silence in memory of the heroes of the 1821 revolution and in memory of all those who fought for freedom and died a glorious death.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
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