In a press release published on Wednesday 27 November, Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, welcomes “the entry into force of the ceasefire in Lebanon [as] a first fragile step towards the protection of civilian populations in the region”, reaffirms his “solidarity with the United Nations and all its agencies” and “reiterates” the Council of Europe’s call “for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza and throughout the region, for the protection of the civilian population and for respect for international law”.
As he has done on several occasions since taking office last September, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe expresses his deep concern at the “recent and repeated attacks” on multilateralism, the “common DNA” of the Council of Europe and the United Nations.
“These attacks, whether they take the form of flagrant violations of international law, breaches of UN resolutions or attempts to undermine multilateral institutions, threaten global stability and progress towards lasting peace”.
Referring to UNRWA without naming it, he stressed its “crucial” role in “providing vital assistance to people in vulnerable situations, including those who no longer have the option of fleeing”.
“Justice, solidarity and human rights are the means for building a lasting peace”, concludes Mr Berset.
Link to the Declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/eiq (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)