By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - Spain, Finland, and the EU on Wednesday urged stronger adherence to international law and humanitarian principles in Ukraine and Gaza during the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, in his speech, reaffirmed Madrid's commitment to a foreign policy based on human rights and the rule of law.
"We will continue to demand scrupulous compliance (with these principles) with the same conviction in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan," Albares said.
On the Gaza war, he stressed that a "viable and internationally recognized" Palestinian state would be the way leading to the solutions.
"This solution requires a viable and internationally recognized Palestinian state capable of exercising its functions, which provides dignity to a Palestinian people who cannot be condemned to being a refugee people forever," he said.
Finland's Permanent State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jukka Salovaara, for his part, highlighted the importance of justice in Ukraine.
"The world must serve justice to Ukrainians whose lives and hopes have been shattered," he said, stressing Finland’s support for the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Turning to Gaza, Salovaara welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release agreement but warned that lasting peace requires more than temporary truces.
"This Council must support efforts for a permanent end to hostilities and a two-state solution," he said, calling for unhindered humanitarian access and continued support for UNRWA.
In a video message to the council, Olof Skoog, the EU’s special representative for human rights, stressed the necessity of upholding international law in all conflicts.
"A few weeks ago, the ceasefire agreement reached in Gaza paved the way to the release of the hostages, end of hostilities and easing of humanitarian suffering in Gaza. As in all conflicts, all parties must respect international law, including international humanitarian law, to ensure the protection of our civilians and unhindered humanitarian access at all times everywhere," Skoog said.
He also reiterated the EU’s commitment to international criminal justice, saying that the bloc stands firmly behind the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rome Statute.