OSCE secretary general calls for standing against genocide, war crimes 'in every context'

LONDON

The secretary general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday called for opposing genocide and war crimes, warning that double standards are eroding the fundamental principles.

"We must stand against aggression everywhere it is perpetrated by whomever it is perpetrated. We must stand against genocide and war crimes in every context," Feridun Sinirlioglu told the Helsinki+50 Conference, which is held in the Finnish capital Helsinki.

The OSCE secretary general also called for fighting impunity "before it takes root."

"Double standards are eroding the fundamental principles that are our foundation," said Sinirlioglu, adding that the world needs to be able to rely on them.

Stressing the importance of dialogue, he noted that security cannot and will never be guaranteed by military deterrence alone, "because military deterrence alone can lead to an arms race and be destabilizing."

"Therefore, security must also be ensured through cooperation, which requires dialogue that is the living legacy of Helsinki (Final Act)," he noted.

Hosted by Finland, Helsinki+50 Conference marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which was signed to improve relations between the Eastern and Western blocs during the Cold War by addressing security, economic, and humanitarian issues.