“Never Lose Sight of the Human Stories” – Deputy Prime Minister Borg Urges European Parliamentarians To Prioritise Humanity And Justice
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, called on parliamentarians at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to always remember the human dimension behind policy decisions. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon in Strasbourg, he urged members to be “the unwavering beacon of hope and humanity, illuminating the path toward justice today and a more peaceful and dignified tomorrow.”
Addressing the Autumn Session of PACE in his capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Dr Borg updated parliamentarians on the Committee’s work since Malta assumed the six-month Presidency earlier this year.
He emphasised the importance of unity and trust among Council members, noting that “we should not allow disagreements to divide us. Instead, let us lean into dialogue that enables us to move forward together.” He explained that Malta’s Presidency has been guided by responsiveness, open dialogue, and careful listening to the context in which decisions are made.
Highlighting Malta’s historic moment in June, Dr Borg recalled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the Council of Europe to sign the bilateral agreement establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. “It proved that politics can deliver justice, that accountability is possible, and that no one is above the law,” he said.
Dr Borg also addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasising the plight of Palestinian civilians and the suffering of hostages captured during the October 2023 Hamas attacks. “The suffering endured by children in this conflict cannot be overstated. Thousands of innocent children, who should be laughing and playing without fear, are instead carrying wounds of loss, trauma and extreme hunger no child should ever endure,” he said. He stressed that international law demands restraint and proportionality from all parties, “not as a suggestion, but as a lifeline.”
The Deputy Prime Minister warned, “Those courageous voices who risk everything to keep us informed and expose the truth on the ground are being killed in shocking numbers.”
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