Geneva: Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs European Affairs Maxime Prevot stressed that addressing violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and countering the unlawful attempts to acquire land by force are a collective responsibility of all UN member states regardless of their size.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Prevot spoke during the High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, reaffirming his government's rejection of violations of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, whether in Ukraine, the Palestinian territories, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Prevot reiterated Belgium's unwavering support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), emphasizing the need to combat impunity and ensure accountability for perpetrators of grave crimes. "Belgium will remain a strong advocate for the ICC, which plays a vital role in prosecuting those responsible for serious crimes with impartiality and independence alongside national judicial systems," the minister stated.
He also underscored the importance of supporting the UN's special procedures and condemned the harassment and threats faced by numerous civil society activists, even from within the Human Rights Council itself. The Belgian minister called on all UN member states, particularly those in the Human Rights Council, to fully cooperate with the Council's mechanisms, including by extending open invitations to special procedures.