Greek Govenment urged to comply with commitments

The International Social Service is holding its annual executive committee meeting in Bowen State Building, Wellington.

Press Release
International Social Service

Greek Govenment urged to comply with international commitments

Wellington - The Greek Government has been warned at an international meeting that it could be seriously jeopardising its international commitments.

The advice was contained in a resolution issued by the International Social Service (ISS), a non-governmental organisation headquartered in Geneva, at its executive committee meeting here.

The resolution sought assistance for the financially-stricken ISS Greek branch, a founding member of the organisation which has grown worldwide to nearly 150 countries and regions since its establishment in 1924. The Greek branch has during the past 80 years been providing for Greek individuals, families and children abroad as well as foreigners living in Greece.

The resolution stated: "If ISS Greece has to close down (because of lack of funds), there will be no life-line for these people.

"By leaving them unattended and unprotected, the Greek Government could seriously jeopardise its compliance with the many international conventions it has signed, in particular the 1989 UN Convention for the Rights of the Child, the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1961 Hague Convrntion on the Protection of Minors, the 1980 Hague Convention relating to Child Abduction and the 1993 Hague Convention for the Protection of Children in Inter-Country Adoption."

The resolution added: "The Executive Committee therefore urges the Government of Greece, through its relevant bodies and authorities, to make every effort to ensure the survival of ISS Greece, thus complying with its responsibilities towards its citizens around the world and to the foreigners living in its country, and with duties arising from its international commitments."

ENDS

© Scoop Media