What Evin spoke about.

10

Sep

2025

Speeches SV

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Need for a strong European Democracy Shield to enhance democracy, protect the EU from foreign interference and hybrid threats, and protect electoral processes in the EU (debate)

Madam President, thank you very much. Colleagues. Our open, democratic and free societies are being cyber-attacked time and time again. My country, Sweden, is no exception. In the last month alone, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Skåne have been affected. Over one hundred thousand employees in school, health and social care have had their personal data leaked. It is a direct attack on both people's privacy and our common security. We cannot be passive. We need to build resilience locally, nationally and Europe-wide. When Swedish and European authorities knocked out a pro-Russian cyber network this summer, we showed what cooperation can achieve. But that's not enough. Among other things, we need more resources for the European Cybercrime Centre within Europol. We need to strengthen the EU Agency for Cybersecurity. And above all, we need unified power. I would have liked the far right in this Parliament to take this debate seriously as well, instead of making itself a victim. The sacrificial cardigan is getting old.

9

Sep

2025

Speeches EN

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Gaza at breaking point: EU action to combat famine, the urgent need to release hostages and move towards a two-state solution (debate)

Madam President, refusing to acknowledge a genocide doesn't make it less of a genocide. Refusing to call a starvation a starvation doesn't make it less of a starvation. Refusing to name an occupation an occupation doesn't make it less of an occupation. International law is not a matter of left and right – it's a matter of principle, but the reality is undeniable. For over a year in this European Parliament, there has been a right-wing majority that has refused to name atrocities for what they are and has been even less willing to act. You have the possibility now to show that you can spell 'humanity' through joining us in our demands for action, and to call a spade a spade. For how many more Palestinians must die before international law is enforced? How many more children must cease to see the daylight? Tell me how many! Freeze the EU-Israel Association Agreement, adopt an EU-wide weapon embargo, sanction the criminal government of Israel, implement ICC and ICJ decisions, recognise Palestine. Shame on this current silence. Shame on hypocrisy. Shame on the inactions. Shame, shame, shame.

9

Jul

2025

Speeches EN

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Urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus

Mr President, minorities keep being in danger in the new Syria. The recent terrorist attacks on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus and the ongoing massacres on Alawites are examples of heinous violence. Among the perpetrators are even commanders of the Minister of Defence of the new government. If we stay silent, this will be the future of all minorities in Syria. I welcome the European Council's decision to sanction those responsible, including Turkish‑backed SNA groups, but the EU must do more. Every single support given to the new government must be done with demands on a Syria that respects all its citizens and respects international law.

9

Jul

2025

Speeches EN

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EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

Mr President, the European Union must stand firm and unwavering in the face of threats and intimidation. While the United States remains a vital trade partner, as has been said by many other colleagues here, and they are also a key global actor, recent signals from the US under Trump have made it clear: America is no longer what it used to be. Therefore, the EU can't act as it used to act. As Europeans, we must be unequivocal. We will not accept trade agreements founded on blackmail or threats. The far right – both in the US and here in Europe – in our parliaments are eager to undermine our standards, to roll back protection of consumers, workers and our climate, all to serve oligarch interests. The EU must, however, negotiate from a position of strength, transparency and integrity. We owe it to our citizens to defend our values, to defend our model and to defend our future. We must stand united and resolute, because our strength lies in our unity and in our unwavering commitment to our principles.

9

Jul

2025

Speeches EN

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Lessons from Budapest Pride: the urgent need for an EU wide anti-discrimination law and defending fundamental rights against right-wing attacks (topical debate)

Madam President, the first Pride was a protest, and indeed, so was Budapest Pride. To the brave people of Hungary: you embody strength, you embody bravery! To all colleagues that joined and showed solidarity with the brave people of Hungary: thank you! I don't expect the ignorant far-right leaders to have joined Pride in Budapest. However, there was one pro-democratic group leader who was missing: Manfred Weber from the EPP. Where were you? Such a shame! But I'm not surprised. Across Europe, far-right movements threaten human rights and still, during these times, the EPP chooses to ally itself with the far right. To be silent on hate speech and to cooperate with those who seek to strip people of their rights is to be complicit in the violation of human rights. This was confirmed when I, together with up to 200 others, defied Orbán, and marched proudly for freedom and human rights in the biggest Budapest Pride ever. And to the far right, I also just want to say that there is no such a thing as gender ideology. It's called anti-discrimination – something that is missing from your vocabulary. Learn!

8

Jul

2025

Speeches EN

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Situation in the Middle East (debate)

Madam President, what was it – one, two, three hours ago that Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the EPP, was talking about the victims of communism? The only difference between us is that we never make a difference between 'victims' and 'victims'. It should not be controversial to assert that killing, starving, mutilating and slaughtering children constitutes a clear violation of international law. That is what is happening right now in Gaza, what the far-right government of Israel is doing to the children of Gaza. Make no mistake, history will judge each person that refused to act to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Hate is not the opposite of peace, apathy is. Apathy equals complicity. Those who don't want to be complicit to the genocide on the Palestinian people must demand the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement now.

8

Jul

2025

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State of play of implementation of the European Media Freedom Act in the Member States (debate)

Mr President, I want to start by saying to the far right here in our Parliament that free and independent media doesn't mean attacking them when it doesn't fit your ideology. Actually, your ideology is an ideology of hatred. We have laws in our Union to ensure you don't import 1930s Germany to 2025. So stop attacking our democracies and go back to the 1930s and stay there, where your ideology belongs. For us who believe in fully fledged democracies, we have a duty to defend free and independent media. We have a duty to strengthen them. It is every Member State's duty to implement the Media Freedom Act – not if, but when, and the time is now.

18

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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Case of Ahmadreza Jalali in Iran

Mr President, time is running out. The Iranian regime is escalating its executions, leaving no one safe. Since 1 October 2024 over 1 000 individuals – comprising political prisoners, women, protesters and minority groups – have been executed in Iran. Despite his suffering a heart attack last month, the Iranian authorities have persistently refused to transfer Dr Ahmadreza Jalali to a hospital where he could receive the urgent, specialised medical care he needs. This neglect is inhuman and utterly cruel. Dr Jalali has endured over nine years in Evin prison. He was sentenced to death following a sham trial. As a Swedish and Iranian citizen – as a European citizen – his case demands our urgent attention. Sweden and European Union bear a responsibility to ensure his safe return to his wife Vida and their children. Free Ahmadreza Jalali now!

18

Jun

2025

Questions EN

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Safeguarding the rule of law in Spain, ensuring an independent and autonomous prosecutor's office to fight crime and corruption (debate)

Mr President, it is a shame how the EPP and the far-right are using our democratic House in their witch-hunt against the socialist government, one of the most successful governments as regards civil rights and social rights. The allegations against the sitting government are serious and should be handled as such and, by all indications, that is also what is happening. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acted forcefully as soon as the allegations against the former organisation and secretary of PSOE was brought to the table and expelled him from the party, as well as deprived him from the positions he had, while the PP in Spain has acted shamefully. Colleagues, it is a shame to politicise such a serious situation, especially when the Prime Minister acted as a decent person should act. Furthermore, according to the Rule of Law Index, Spain is above the United States, on the 25th spot in the global ranking. So, what are we actually talking about here? We are spending the Parliament's time on political smear campaigns, not actually concern or debate about the state of the Union. The right and the far-right are only pretending to be concerned about the rule of law, only pretending to be. If the right and the far-right was actually worried about the rule of law, we would be discussing the fact that, according to the same Rule of Law Index, where Spain is ranked number 25, Hungary is on spot 73, in the bottom half of the ranking, below Kazakhstan, and with the same score as Sri Lanka. We might have been discussing as well Greece, which has the same score as Georgia, and Croatia is only narrowly better. The situation in Slovakia is deteriorating rapidly. There is no credibility behind the empty words and dishonest gestures of EPP and the far-right.

18

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act (debate)

Mr President, welcome to 'Orbánistan', where the government has made it their primary goal to dismantle the rule of law, human rights and democracy. Mr Orbán, being elected does not grant you the right to transform Hungary into an Iran within the EU. By attacking LGBTQI rights, women's rights, migrants and civil society, you are not much different from the mullahs in Tehran. The Hungarian people are brave and will ultimately consign you to the dustbin of history. Patience with Orbán has long since run its course. The Commission should, without delay, make full use of its toolbox to force the Hungarian regime to correct its unlawful measures. Meanwhile, for colleagues that believe in equality for all, let us stand with the courageous people of Hungary on 28 June as they celebrate Budapest Pride. The very first Pride was a riot defending themselves from hate and violence. Let's show Orbán that all Pride marches are powerful expressions of resilience and freedom.

18

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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Stopping the genocide in Gaza: time for EU sanctions (topical debate)

Madam President, history will not be kind to those who stand by while innocent civilians in Gaza are being slaughtered and starved by the far-right Israeli Government. If this was a war against Hamas, there would not be so many civilian casualties, so many children. Moreover, we must not overlook the ongoing attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank also, including the expansion of Israeli settlements. If these actions are not a violation of international law, then what is a violation of international law? If it looks like a genocide, smells like a genocide, let me tell you what it is: it is a genocide. Let us put an end to this hypocrisy. It's time to call out Netanyahu's war crimes and to end the slaughter of innocent Palestinians; suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, sanction Netanyahu and all his ministers – not a single one, all; implement the ICC and ICJ decisions, and ensure to adopt a weapon embargo against the far-right government, which slaughters children. Today's debate concerns the very soul of our union. We can no longer claim to be committed to peace, respect for international law and promoting these values globally if we fail to stand up for them universally, everywhere. Free Palestine.

18

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025 (debate)

Madam President, the most urgent priority at this moment is to prevent further escalation of wars and conflicts worldwide, before past mistakes become a harsh reality once again. Both the European Union and NATO bear a responsibility to act. We have rightly supported Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we must continue to do so to ensure its victory and bring an end to Russia's ongoing acts of aggression. Putin has repeatedly demonstrated his unwillingness to engage in genuine peace negotiations. The only way to force him is to continue strengthening Ukraine. The recent escalation, specifically between Israel and Iran, is yet another deeply concerning conflict. This conflict is costing innocent civilians their lives. While I hold zero sympathy for the regime in Tehran, Israel's actions are also unacceptable. Respect for international law must be upheld by all parties, as there should be no special legal privilege for war criminals and oppressors like Netanyahu, Khamenei or anyone else.

17

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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Situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

Mr President, the war between Israel and Iran is unfolding before our eyes, with civilians on both sides bearing the devastating consequences, not Khamenei nor Netanyahu. We must stand firmly against war, against oppression, terrorism and violation of international law. We must oppose the use of weapons of mass destruction, genocide and occupation. No person or entity, be it Netanyahu, Khamenei or Hamas, stand above international law. The actions by Israel in Gaza is claimed to be self‑defence. There is no self‑defence in killing over 60 000 civilians, many more injured and on the brink of starvation. These actions violate international law. Those who fail to see that Israel is breaching Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement are either blind or complicit. It is time to suspend this agreement. The maniac Trump's possible actions right now are dangerous. The EU, however, must play a crucial role in de‑escalating the conflict and preventing the heinous Tehran regime from accessing nuclear weapons. Our collective responsibility is to promote human rights, rule of law, democracy, peace and uphold international law.

16

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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The human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (debate)

Madam President, Putin's tyranny can only be brought to an end through EU unity and decisive actions. The continued import of coal and oil by some Member States directly enables Putin's war efforts, filling his war machine and enabling him to escalate missiles and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians, as he has done over the last months. It is good to condemn, but more important to act. We must support Ukraine with all available means to ensure that they not only withstand the war, but win the war. This support must be comprehensive: sanctions, military aid, humanitarian assistance, macroeconomic support – there can't be any limits to our support. However, right now, EU Member States are pumping more money into Putin's war machine than support to Ukraine. How is that going to ensure that Ukraine will be in a position of strength? Because a position of strength is important to ensure that Putin is forced to the negotiating table and to ensure that Ukraine wins, that we win.

16

Jun

2025

Speeches EN

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State of play and follow-up two years after the PEGA recommendations and the illegal use of spyware (debate)

Mr President, sometimes I wonder if the Commission thinks we are a Mickey Mouse Parliament. Two years have passed since the Parliament's PEGA Committee issued a forceful recommendation to combat the illegal use of spyware within the EU. Yet two years on, the Commission has utterly failed to take decisive actions. It seems like we have a Mickey Mouse Commission – because it is either that or that the Commission refused to defend the people of Europe and uphold democracy, rule of law and human rights. In fact, some Member States, such as Italy and Hungary, are now in an even worse state than before: Hungary has been caught spying on EU officials and Italy on activists – clear violations of fundamental rights that remain unpunished. The European Media Freedom Act was passed, but it protects only journalists and only narrowly. What about political opponents? What about activists, lawyers, ordinary citizens? It is high time for bold, unwavering actions from the Commission. Accountability must be enforced and Member States must be held to strict standards. It is time to end the Big Brother society some of our Member States have turned into.

21

May

2025

Speeches EN

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The EU's response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages (debate)

Madam President, genocide, ethnic cleansing, annexation and war crimes are the actions currently inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the Israeli far-right Government. The goal of Netanyahu's criminal regime is clear: to completely destroy Gaza so that the Palestinian population is forced to leave. These are actually the words even coming from Minister Smotrich. I find no better summary than what Yair Golan, the leader of my sister party, Israel's Democrats Party, recently said: 'a sane country doesn't engage in fighting civilians, doesn't kill babies as a hobby, and doesn't set as its goal the expulsion of an entire population.' Colleagues, silence in the face of such crimes is complicity. The EU is already on the wrong side of history. The question is, are we going to continue down this dangerous path? Yesterday's decision in the Council was a disgrace. Are you serious about evaluating the Association Agreement with Israel? The time for evaluation is long overdue. What we need to do is immediately suspend the trade agreement, allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza ASAP, impose sanctions on the entire Netanyahu Government – not single ministers – and implement an EU-wide weapons embargo. Right now, 14 000 children are at risk of starving to death within the next 24 hours. The atrocities against Palestinians are among the worst since the Second World War. The EU must act swiftly and decisively. Free Palestine.

8

May

2025

Answers EN

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80 years after the end of World War II - freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (debate)

I think it's very clear that, as I said, Nazism is pure evil. The ideology that put Europe into the atrocities of the Second World War, of course, is pure evil. And we need to ensure that those who put us in that position can never, ever put us in the same path. One important action is, therefore, to draw the lessons of history, and ensure that whatever Germany can do to pay back for the atrocities that took place back then also is being done.

8

May

2025

Speeches EN

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80 years after the end of World War II - freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, today, 8 May, is the time to commemorate. This is a time to remember, but also a moment to reflect on the lessons – the evil the Second World War emerged from. And it is a time to warn against the far-right ideologies that once drove our continent to the edge of complete self-destruction. The same ideology that, unfortunately, is embraced by some – even here in this Parliament, in Europe in 2025. The generations that survived the Second World War, those who knew the very essence of 'never again', understood that the tragedy of the 20th century did not begin with bombs or bullets. It began with words, with rising intolerance, and it continued to mass killing of men, women and children by the thousands, by the millions. In our European society today, we are once again witnessing this rise of political forces that set people against people. Colleagues, do not forget that EU was built to ensure that 'never again' means 'never again'. Let's ensure that 'never again' is transferred into words every day, with every action that we take.

6

May

2025

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2023 and 2024 reports on Türkiye (debate)

Mr President, 'journalism is not a crime, not in any country'. These are the words of the Swedish journalist Joakim Medin from the notorious high-security prison, Silivri, in Türkiye. Joakim must be allowed to return home to his freedom, to his Sofie and their awaiting child immediately. Since 28 March, he has been detained in Türkiye. The allegations of insulting President Erdoğan and membership in a terrorist organisation are baseless and lack evidence. So far, the Swedish government has not succeeded in influencing the situation through diplomatic efforts. The Foreign Minister took time to contact her Turkish counterpart and, as far as we know, the Prime Minister has not lifted the phone to reach out to his. In this very delicate situation, it is crucial that the Commission and the whole EU stands behind Joakim and demands that he be allowed to return home immediately. He is a Swedish citizen and, therefore, also a European citizen. It is our duty to defend all our journalists and all our citizens. Joakim's case is also a matter of every journalist's rights to operate freely, beyond oppression and beyond fear.

6

May

2025

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Discharge 2023 (joint debate)

Mr President, in the face of the devastating Israeli warfare and a suffocating humanitarian blockade, the people of Gaza, especially its children, are being killed in tens of thousands and denied their most basic rights, including humanitarian aid, healthcare and education. At such a moment, our support for UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority must not waver. Following the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks, the Commission reviewed all financial assistance to Palestine, including UNRWA, and confirmed its compliance with the legal guarantees under the pillar assessment and the contribution agreement. I wish the same was also done for Israel, who right now commits atrocities we could never imagine in 2025. To withhold funding or to echo false narratives promoted by the Netanyahu regime would punish innocent people of Palestine and will only serve as supportive actions for Hamas. The EU must stand with those building a better future in Palestine, not with those defending the Netanyahu regime, which is accused of mass killings, genocide and use of starvation as a weapon of war.

6

May

2025

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A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, Commissioner, EU's budget for a changing world requires EU's courage for a better world. International institutions and civil society organisations are essential for a better world – the ideas that have influenced us since after the Second World War. But we see how forces influenced by the ideology of the Second World War have grown and are now, in budget after budget, trying to cut support to civil society organisations and attacks important international organisations as UNRWA. There must not be any under-funding of EU external action, particularly in crisis-affected regions like the Middle East. It would be shameful and a failure towards the people of Gaza that right now already suffers because of the Israeli far-right government. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza calls for immediate and long-term engagement. Once a political agreement for reconstruction is in place, we must be ready with a robust, predictable financial instrument dedicated to Gazans and the whole Palestinian people.

6

May

2025

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A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (debate)

Mr President, to US President Trump: you are a loser. Because there are no winners in this trade war; it drives up prices, destroys jobs, stifles growth and hits the most vulnerable the hardest. It affects everyday people the hardest; Trump's heavy tariffs are disturbing supply chains and, in a few weeks, shelves in the US could be empty. And it polarises a world that already is facing many challenges with, among other things, Russia's unlawful attack on Ukraine. Trade barriers should be dismantled, not built. As the United States retreats from the global stage, turning its back on the very order it helped build after the Second World War, Europe must step up. We need an open world beyond Trump's ideology and the ideology of his extreme right-wing puppets in the EU. We need politics for the many, we need politics for the people. We must strengthen our relationship with other like-minded countries: Ukraine, Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, Mexico and many, many others. Through unity, we will ensure that today's craziness will also soon pass, and openness, cooperation and freedom will prevail.

5

May

2025

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Protection of the European Union’s financial interests – combating fraud – annual report 2023 (debate)

Mr President, every misuse of taxpayers' money is essentially theft. Viktor Orbán, the leader of the far right in Europe, is one of the biggest ones. The European Commission is currently withholding … So are the colleagues going to be silent or am I allowed to continue? (The President asked for silence in the room) Every misuse of taxpayers' money is essentially theft. Viktor Orbán, the leader of the far right in Europe, is one of the biggest ones. The European Commission is currently withholding many billions in EU funds from Hungary due to rule of law and corruption concerns. This is corruption. Anti‑democrats remain anti‑democrats. Transparency and accountability are their greatest enemies. Their shamelessness knows no bounds, even extending to spying on investigators from the EU Anti‑Fraud Office, OLAF. Those who misuse public funds and target our anti‑corruption agencies also attempt to demonise the cornerstone of democracy: civil society. A vibrant civil society is a vital pillar of healthy democracies, which explains why Orbán is attacking it. Let us also not forget the baseless allegations against important international organisations like UNWRA. Democracy is currently in jeopardy.

5

May

2025

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Order of business

Madam President, today the far‑right Israeli Government shamelessly approved a plan to unlawfully seize full control over Gaza and escalate its brutal assault on the civilian population. Since 7 October 2023, over 50 000 people have been killed. While the Israeli Government violates international law day after day, the EU keeps staying silent. We are supposed to prevent historical atrocities from happening again. These atrocities must also include those happening against the Palestinians. International law is not cherry‑picking. The European Union's passivity reflects a profound moral failure and is damaging the Union's reputation on the global stage. Madam President, on behalf of the S&D Group, I urge you to condemn this unlawful decision made by the far‑right government in Israel and do that on behalf of the whole European Parliament, recognise it as a breach of international law, and also acknowledge that it is time to terminate the EU‑Israel Association Agreement. For how much longer will the Union remain complicit in these war crimes that are taking place?

3

Apr

2025

Speeches EN

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110th anniversary of the Armenian genocide

Mr President, one hundred and ten years have passed since one of the darkest chapters in human history – a genocide that killed and deported millions, with people mass murdered and families destroyed. One of those families was my own great‑grandfather's. Many survivors were scattered across the Middle East, Europe and the world, carrying a grief that has pierced through generations. This is not a distant memory. It is a wound still felt today. Yet even now, nationalistic and autocratic forces, most notably in Turkey, seek to deny this truth. Denials do not erase history; it deepens the pain. We will never forget the Armenian Genocide and we will commemorate its victims each year in this Parliament. There is still much work to do on memory and reconciliation. The steps taken in recent years, like building memorial sites in cities such as Diyarbakır, must continue. Let us ensure the truth prevails and justice, however delayed, is never silenced. The genocide must be recognised everywhere and by everyone.