Strasbourg, 21/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian King, Philippe, concluded his speech on Tuesday 21 April at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which marked the end of the Belgian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, with the following words, “let us not disinherit our children”.
The Royal speech to the PACE was also characterised by a constant reference to the European Convention on Human Rights, “the rampart to protect the humanity of man against extreme evil”. In 1949, the Council of Europe (CoE) was set up on the basis of these fundamental rights, pointed out King Philippe. It involved defending these rights, “because they are vulnerable” and are even more so at “this beginning of the 21st century, where our world has been struck by acts of barbarism and where men and women are not treated with dignity”.
The King highlighted the tragic events that have happened in the Mediterranean, as well as the urgent nature of this question for Europe, whilst referring to the “degrading situations that increase significantly in number near us and which involve the elderly, children and jobseekers”. He was alarmed by the fact that “humanity is sometimes losing ground and indifference sometimes hides the denigration of others”. He believes that the instruments introduced by the CoE are also essential for fighting against rampant individualism.
He asserted that “our predecessors built an edifice based on the rule of law, where human beings have the central place they deserve. We have to consolidate and improve this heritage because we are all the inheritors of those who preceded us”. It is in this connection that he called for people to realise the importance of what should be passed on to future generations and he encouraged the CoE “to pursue its action and continue its commitment” in this sense. (Véronique Leblanc)