The following resolutionς were passed at the 15th General Assembly of PADEE-WHIA held in Athens in July 2025:

Human Rights and Religious Freedom

Whereas, everyone has fundamental freedoms and human rights including the protection of and respect for religious, cultural, and linguistic diversity as codified by the United Nations Charter, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as other national and international agreements; and

Whereas, the Ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, hold a special honour of primacy and service in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church; and

Whereas, the aforementioned Ancient Patriarchates have historically and continue to preserve and promote Hellenic history and traditions, the Greek language, and the Orthodox Christian Faith; and

Whereas, the Ancient Patriarchates, located in the Middle East and in Asia Minor, together with their respective Patriarchs and Synod of Bishops, continue to face systematic discrimination contrary to internationally recognized fundamental freedoms and human rights; and

Whereas, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the First Throne of Orthodoxy, continues to face discrimination by Turkish authorities including the denial of a legal identity and the historic confiscation of properties; and

Whereas, the Patriarchate of Alexandria continues to experience illegal ecclesiastical incursions into its canonical territories by Moscow motivated by the “Russian World” ideology contrary to the Canons of the Orthodox Church; and

Whereas, the Patriarchate of Antioch, together with its faithful, face violence and discrimination as a result of religious sectarianism during and following the Syrian civil war; and

Whereas, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Christians in the Holy Lands encounter ongoing religious persecution, including the dangerous and unjustified assaults against worshippers documented during Holy Fire Saturday (April 19); and

Whereas, the status of the historic Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at the God-trodden Mount Sinai, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, has recently been called into question by Egyptian authorities; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that this World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association General Assembly calls on Member States of the European Union, together with the Governments of the United States, Canada, and Australia, to prioritize and promote human rights and religious freedoms for all people, regardless of faith, with a particular emphasis on the persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and Asia Minor; and be it further

Resolved, that the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association urges the Government of Turkey, and the new administration in Syria, to protect and respect human rights and religious diversity, including for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Antioch, respectively; and be it further

Resolved, that the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association appeals to the Government of Egypt to honour its international obligations and preserve the historic Greek Orthodox status of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, and surrounding areas, in order to secure its long-term freedom and autonomy; and be it further

Resolved, that the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association General Assembly hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all members.

Proclaiming May 19th, 2025  as “Greek And Pontic Genocide Remembrance, Recognition, Condemnation, And Education Day”

Whereas, between 1914 and 1923, there was a systematic and Ottoman Empire government sanctioned attempt to exterminate the entire Greek population of Pontus, Smyrna, all of Asia Minor, and Eastern Thrace; and

Whereas, the Ottoman Turks directed the killing of 353,000 Pontian and more than one million Anatolian and Asia Minor Greeks and over a million Armenians and Assyrians living in Pontos, and an equal number were forced to flee their homeland in one of the most heinous crimes in history; and

Whereas, The Ottoman and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Neo Turks engaged in forced relocation, death marches, starvation, slaughter, rape, forced conversion to Islam, conscription into labor battalions, arbitrary executions, and destruction of Christian Orthodox cultural, historical and religious monuments to ethnically cleanse the Greek population and perpetrate the worst mass genocide of the 20th century. Furthermore, the Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, and resulted in the deportation of nearly 2,000,000 Armenians, of whom 1,500,000 men, women, and children were killed, and the remaining 500,000 survived but were expelled from their homes; and

Whereas, it is vital and proper to remember those who lost their lives in the Greek Genocide, and it is paramount that people of all nations became aware of this horrific event in the not-so-distant history as a way to learn a valuable lesson so that such atrocities are never committed again; and

Whereas, it is likewise important to pay tribute to the survivors of this horrible period, as well as their descendants who have made countless contributions to the enrichment of our culture and our way of life around the world and who stand as an inspiration for oppressed people around the world; and

Whereas, in 1994 the Hellenic Parliament, and

Whereas, in 1994 Cyprus House of Representatives Recognized the genocide, and

Whereas, on December 16, 2007, the International Genocide Scholars Association officially recognized Greek and Assyrian Genocides, and

Whereas, on 11 March 2010, Sweden’s Parliament passed a motion recognizing “as an act of genocide the killing of Armenians, Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans and Pontic Greeks in 1915”, and

Whereas, in March 2015, the National Assembly of Armenia unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing both the Greek and Assyrian genocides, and

Whereas, in April 2015, the States General of the Netherlands and the Austrian Parliament passed resolutions recognizing the Greek and Assyrian genocides, and

Whereas, on May 18, 2022, the European Parliament recognized the Greek Genocide and declared “19 May as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day in the EU and elsewhere,” and

Whereas, the States of Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Dakota recognized the Genocide, and

Whereas, the governments of New South Wales and South Australia Lower House recognized the genocide, and

Whereas, the denial of genocide is widely recognized as the final stage of genocide, enshrining impunity for the perpetrators of genocide, and demonstrably paving the way for future genocides; and

Whereas, 2025 will be memorialized throughout the world as the symbolic 106^th Anniversary of the Genocide of the Pontian Greeks. May we never forget the brutality the Pontian Greeks experienced at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, and may we learn the hard lessons of the past so that the history of the Greek Genocide, and all genocides, never happen again; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association PADEE-WHIA and its elected members within the Greek global community commemorate every May 19 of each year the Greek and Pontic Genocide of 1914-1923; and be it further

Resolved, that the current Turkish Republic, the successor to the Ottoman Empire, atones for its crime of genocide against the Greek, Armenian, Assyrian, Syriac, and Chaldean people, and be it further

Resolved, that the international community recognize the above genocides and include them in their school curriculums; and be it further

Resolved, the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association PADEE-WHIA members to work with their respective legislative assemblies to adopt laws to condemn and expose the Turkish government’s denial policy and sanction the recognition of the genocides. 

Resolved, that the Secretary of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA) is hereby authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all Greek-Pontian organizations in the countries of the elected members.

Consultation with the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) on Matters Affecting Greeks Abroad

Whereas, decisions taken by the Greek authorities may have significant impact on Greeks living abroad;

Whereas, the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) serves as a representative body of elected legislators of Greek descent from around the world and acts as a vital link between the Hellenic Republic and the Greek Diaspora;

Resolved, that we respectfully request the competent Greek authorities to seek the opinion of the WHIA, and through the WHIA, the opinions of its members, prior to making decisions that affect Greeks abroad;

Resolved further, that this consultation should be conducted in a timely and substantive manner and ensuring that the perspectives and interests of the global Hellenic community are duly considered in the policy-making process.

Empowering Women of the Hellenic Diaspora in Leadership, Innovation, and Governance

Whereas, Women of Hellenic descent living in diaspora communities globally continue to contribute significantly to leadership, public service, innovation, and civil society, yet face systemic barriers to representation and advancement;

Whereas, Gender equality is central to democracy and sustainable development, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5 on Gender Equality;

Whereas, The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) has the opportunity and responsibility to lead by example in advocating for the inclusion and elevation of women within its networks and across the parliaments its members represent;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 15th General Assembly of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association:

1. Affirms its commitment to advancing gender equality in all sectors represented within the global Hellenic diaspora;
2. Calls upon national parliaments of WHIA members to adopt and promote inclusive policies that empower women of Hellenic descent to pursue leadership roles;
3. Supports the creation of a WHIA Women’s Leadership Forum to spotlight, mentor, and connect emerging and established female leaders from across the Hellenic diaspora;
4. Encourages member parliaments and diaspora communities to invest in educational programs, digital access, and innovation-driven opportunities for young Hellenic women and girls;
5. Invites civic, business, and religious leaders to collaborate with WHIA in eliminating cultural and institutional barriers to women’s participation and leadership;
6. Recommends the documentation and promotion of stories of resilience, impact, and leadership by women of Hellenic descent, to inspire future generations;
7. Requests that this resolution be circulated to all parliaments and legislatures represented by WHIA members and submitted to relevant international organizations that promote gender equity.

The following resolution was passed at the 14th General Assembly of PADEE-WHIA held in Athens in July 2023:

Cyprus Resolution

WHEREAS, This year marks the forty ninth anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and continued occupation of northern Cyprus;

WHEREAS, The Republic of Cyprus has been invaded, divided and occupied by foreign forces since 1974, in violation of numerous United Nations’ Resolutions; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of Cyprus is the only internationally recognized and legal entity on the island is a member of the United Nations and the European Union.

WHEREAS, The international community, have:

1. Repeatedly supported the Republic of Cyprus.
2. Called for the reunification of the island.
3. Called for the return of all Cypriot refugees to their homelands.
4. Called for the removal of all Turkish troops on the Island and the return of all illegal settlers; and
5. Continuously urged the government of Turkey to engage in good faith negotiations in the UN framework, for a mutually acceptable, just and functional settlement, on the basis of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

WHEREAS, A peaceful, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem would greatly benefit the security, political, economic and social well-being of all Cypriots, as well as contribute to improved relations between Greece, Turkey and the European Union; and contribute greatly to regional peace and security;

WHEREAS, Turkey through its occupation of northern Cyprus is illegally opening up parts of Varosha in Famagusta, in complete disregard for international law and UN and EU resolutions;

That the 14th World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association General Assembly, marking the forty-ninth anniversary of the unlawful Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus, hereby:

1. Condemns the ongoing presence of Turkish troops occupation in northern Cyprus, the opening of parts of Varosha and the new position of the illegal regime in northern Cyprus and Turkey in support of a partition and annexation, which is in contravention of international law and the relevant UN resolutions.
2. Calls on the right of return for all Cypriot refugees and displaced persons to their ancestral homelands under conditions of safety, freedom and respect.
3. Respectfully request that the elected leaders, their parliaments, congress, senate, provincial and state legislatures of the countries from which we come from, fully support United Nations led efforts for a peaceful, mutually agreed, just and viable comprehensive Cyprus settlement, on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Supports a mutually agreed Cyprus settlement, that entails the removal of all illegal Turkish troops of occupation from Cyprus, the termination of the antiquated colonial system of Guarantees and intervention rights of any third parties in Cypriot affairs.

5. That any future negotiations toward a just, peaceful and viable Cyprus settlement give consideration to the complex issues of compensation for losses incurred due to the illegal occupation and measures to address the illegal Turkish settlers on the island.
6. Acknowledges and supports those Turkish Cypriots who are tirelessly working, on a daily basis, towards the reunification and democratization of the island.
7. Encourages community and faith leaders to continue their very important work through intercommunal, intercultural and interfaith dialogue to assist politicians to implement the UN and EU resolutions.
8. Calls on all WHIA members and their parliaments and provincial and state legislatures to pressure Turkey to end the illegal occupation of northern Cyprus and negotiate a just, peaceful and viable Cyprus settlement in line with the UN resolutions to the benefit of all Cypriots, including safeguarding the implementation of the EU Acquis throughout Cyprus, thus guaranteeing the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
9. In 2023, it’s not acceptable for a member of NATO to be occupying a member of the European Union.

RESOLVES, That the 14th World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association General Assembly support the President of Cyprus in his efforts to restart negotiations through the EU and the UN. And resolves to send this resolution to all parliaments and legislators represented by the WHIA.

Resolutions passed at the 13th General Assembly of PADEE-WHIA held in Athens in July 2021 were are follows:

Voting rights for Greeks living abroad

Return of the Parthenon Sculptures

Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone

The Cyprus Conflict

That the 2021 WHIA General Assembly:

a) Reject a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem and affirm its support for the creation of a single bizonal, bi-communal federarion, with a single nationality.

b) Calls upon the Turkish Government and the Turkish Cyrpriot authorities to immediate cancel plans to re-open Varosha and to cease all unproductive unilateral actions.

c) Reject Turkey’s accession to the European Union and further calls upon all EU member states to terminate formal accession negotiations with Turkey.

d) Calls upon all EU members states to reject Turkish participation, both formally and informally, in the Permanent Structured Cooperation Framework (PESCO).

e) Stand in solidarity with the people of Cyprus against Turkish aggression, provocation and unilateralism.

Support the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople

Resolutions passed at the 12th General Assembly of PADEE-WHIA held in Athens in July 2019 were are follows:

Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnerships

Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone

Theological School of Halki

Voting rights for Greeks living abroad

That the 2019 PADEE-WHIA General Assembly calls on the newly elected government of Greece headed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to deliver on its election commitment to enable eligible Greek citizens who are registered to vote and who are living aboard to exercise their right to vote at the next Greek general election from the places where they live and work, without the necessity to return to Greece.

Greek minority in Albania

Life Preservation Accord

The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association calls for the Victorian and Greek governments to establish a Life Preservation Accord to share knowledge and personnel to prevent, fight and help recovery and reconstruction from wildfire.