Speeches

Mr President, thank you very much. We live in a time of powerful men. Men who conquer, men who use violence to get their will through, men who want to control both land areas and our life mothers. I am thinking of the girls and women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are paying with their bodies and their lives in the shadow of men's wars over natural resources. I am thinking of the women in Iran who are continuing the fight against the ayatollahs' oppression. I am thinking of the women in Ukraine who, in the midst of a burning war, organise themselves in the fight against men's violence against women. I think of the millions of women throughout history who have risen, organized and fought and pushed through change. If they could, we could.

Madam President, dear colleagues, I take the floor under Rule 39. The right to be who you are, to love who you want and to live your life free from discrimination is a fundamental European right. That right is clearly under attack. At this critical moment, the decision by the European Commission to announce the withdrawal of the horizontal anti-discrimination directive came as a shock. It also represents a betrayal of all the EU citizens who are currently lacking protection against discrimination. It is time for the EU to show global leadership against discrimination, not to back down. As the European Parliament's rapporteur for this directive, I strongly condemn this decision and I urge the European Commission to immediately reconsider it.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your In many areas of Sweden, violence is now a frightening everyday life. Politically deprived areas where society has left the walkover to the criminal gangs. We are all aware of the problems and everyone knows what are the tools to get to the problems. These are the same tools that the police, social services and schools have been calling for for many, many years. That is, long-term preventive and comprehensive measures that step by step will put an end to the gangs' progress. The SD government's unscientific and populist struggle over who proposes the toughest measures will never get to grips with the violence. Not long-term and not really. Instead, we should listen to the experts in the social services, in schools and in the police and then do what they say. How far will it have to go before we do that?

Mr President, I would like to thank you. The ten people who were murdered in the worst mass shooting in Swedish history are not anonymous figures. It was sisters and brothers, with dreams and ambitions. They loved their children. They were in love. They had favorite dishes. They were people. Teacher Aziza, housing supporter and mother of five Elsa. The baker Bassam, Salim who was getting married. Niloofar, Ali and the other four victims we don't yet know their names. We remember you and we honor you and we mourn you. And remember, it's an act of resistance not to let racism bend, hide behind anonymous numbers and beautiful words that never translate into action.

Mr President, thank you very much. There is much to say, and there is much to mourn. But one thing is for sure: Now is the time for the EU to take global leadership for the climate, for democracy, for human rights, for LGBTIQ people, for women, for investigative journalism and for minority rights. All this is threatened by Trump's far-right henchmen who are in the US, but who are also here in the EU. The same right-wing extremists that the Conservatives repeatedly hook up with and give influence to EU policies. We can't afford your left-wing chatter with right-wing extremists. You have the power to decide whether Europe should be a counterforce that the world needs. Take responsibility.

Mr President, thank you very much. Everyone knows that a truce does not restore decades of oppression, occupation, broken families and broken future. Everyone knows that a truce does not bring the dead to life, and a truce does not conjure away hatred between people. All those who say they want to put an end to the indiscriminate killing and want peace, they must also want to rebuild Gaza. We need to create the conditions for life in Gaza. We must stop Israel's illegal occupation and we must fight for a two-state solution. It is the only way forward for peace, freedom and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. The fight for women's rights continues. For the girl who is forced to work instead of going to school, for the woman who is not allowed to leave her home without a man by her side and for you who hides your bruises. We would never be where we are today if it were not for the struggle of our grandmothers and now we must do the same for our sisters and our daughters. And we know that there are forces in this house that want the opposite. They say the private is not political. But you're wrong. And we are many and we are strong and we will continue to burn under our wrath.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your In the United States, a misogynist anti-democrat will soon be imprisoned in the White House. In Georgia, journalists are beaten by masked men and the Council of Ministers itself has been led for six months by the corrupt despot Orban. We live in a time when anti-democrats inside and outside our Union are challenging what Europe can and should be. And that is precisely why we need courageous and principled leaders who are unquestionably and uncompromisingly defending international law, democracy and human rights, who are fiercely opposing powerful men such as Putin, Netanyahu and Trump. Tomorrow, when the EU Heads of State and Government meet one last time for this year, many of us hope that in words and deeds they will show that they are the leaders we desperately need.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. For over 30 years, Poland's ban on abortion has had horrific consequences for Polish women. For over 30 years, we have accepted that Europe has first- and second-class citizens. We have those who enjoy all human rights and we have those citizens who are deprived of their human rights. Now we have a UN investigation that shows what all of us who fought for abortion rights have known for a long time. Poland's laws seriously and systematically violate women's human rights. Polish women deserve the same rights as everyone else. We need more people to put pressure on the Polish government to ensure that this oppression does not continue.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. We who live in democracies are in the minority, and we are getting fewer and fewer. Seven out of ten of the world's inhabitants live today without the rights and freedoms that many of us take for granted. Dismantling is done through conscious decisions, often by elected politicians. It may seem like small things: An organization criticizes the government and gets suspended funding, a journalist asks uncomfortable questions, is accused of being biased and does not get the opportunity to do interviews, a political resistance is growing stronger, and then the law is changed so that the organization's activities become illegal. This is how democracy is dismantled. Often with arguments about saving the nation from this or that threat. The slow poisoning requires alertness and that we guard our rights and do not passively watch.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your If we do not act on the complete humanitarian catastrophe that is going on before our eyes, but normalise it, then who are we? What does international law really mean? A rules-based world order, humanity, humanity, empathy. There is so much that the EU Member States could have done a long time ago. Immediately impose an arms embargo on Israel. Pause the Association Agreement. Stop the illegal attacks. Sanction the ministers of the government of Israel who are inciting more violence. Increase aid. Set up UN troops. End the occupation. Ensure that we have a fair and secure two-state solution in place, and of course demand the release of all hostages. The least we can do is make sure we take care of Gaza's sick and injured. It requires decency, it is our moral responsibility.

Madam President, dear colleagues, in Stockholm yesterday, a group of people attending a lecture about how to stand up against fascism were attacked and abused by masked Nazis. The Nazis shall, of course, be held responsible for their awful actions. But, politicians in the Swedish Government, as well as in this Parliament, should be ashamed of cooperating and giving legitimacy to the far-right extremists. Nazis are Nazis and fascists are fascists, regardless if they are masked or wear a suit.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner Dalli! As rapporteur, I would like to conclude by underlining two points at election times. One is how well we cooperated between the different party groups during the work on this legislation, how we were supported and wetted and compromised during the negotiations. I know that many people want to consign the European Parliament to a troubled discussion club. That is not true, and we showed it during the negotiations. The second is about what many have underlined in this debate – that this is just the beginning, that a lot remains, that discrimination continues and that it will take a lot more from the next Parliament – to actually do more and better. If so, the election results will show. Unfortunately, there are many politicians who are not prepared to do what is necessary to break down barriers and create a Europe where freedom of movement is for everyone. Think about what you are voting for!

Mr President, I hope you would agree that the EU is only socially just once we ensure access to rights and opportunities for all without discrimination. This week, I hope we will take a major step towards achieving this. With these two proposals, establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities, we now have the chance to adopt measures that will have a significant impact in improving the lives and facilitating the mobility of persons with disabilities across the EU. For years, civil society as well as politicians have been calling for increased efforts to ensure and secure the rights to free movement and mobility for persons with disabilities. The mutual recognition of disability status is a long awaited step to increase access to rights, combat discrimination and promote diversity across the EU. And this is why the introduction of both these cards is so important. The right to free movement applies to all EU citizens equally, but can also apply to non-EU citizens legally residing in a Member State. As the rapporteur, together with Mr Mendes for the directive extending the main directive to third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State, I am proud to have negotiated an agreement that will have a significant impact on the possibility for thousands of European residents to fully enjoy their right to experience everything that the EU has to offer. However, this is only the beginning. These proposals will not solve all of the current problems. Persons with disabilities face many barriers when travelling between Member States, and not all of them will be addressed through these new measures. This week we will make progress. But as legislators, we must continue our work to abolish all barriers for persons with disabilities, to freely move and to fill in the gaps in EU legislation that still persists. The fight for equal rights is a fight for inclusive societies that are able to accommodate the needs of Union citizens and residents in all of their diversity. I look forward to listening to my colleagues’ interventions into this debate, and I also would like to express my big thanks for the work. It was a great work and great negotiations.

Mr President, thank you very much. It is worth repeating: In this room and in every room where there are girls and women, there are also survivors. Men's violence against women has over the centuries become part of the norm of our societies. It is everyday life, as if it were a natural law for men to abuse, rape and kill women. We women have been forced to wear a shame that has never been ours, and we have adapted, chosen clothes to reduce the risk, lowered the voice so as not to provoke. We've put on make-up over bruises and we've been silent. It has to end! Men's violence against women is a structural problem. It must not be reduced to a family problem when it is a societal problem – and that is why we are now tightening up legislation across the EU.

Madam President, thank you very much. I am so grateful to all the women, the survivors, who, in the course of working on this legislation, have shared their terrible experiences and experiences. You have repeated that you are doing so to save others – to save those who are still in the hell from which you have managed to escape. It is thanks to the courage, strength and solidarity of you and others that we now have tougher legislation in place across the EU. It will make it more difficult for those who want to buy other people's slave labour, and it will make it easier for victims to get help. And to you who feed the demand for trafficking victims when you buy sex, every time you buy sex: You are a disgrace to humanity.

Madam President, dear colleagues, today I am ashamed – ashamed of this House and ashamed of our lack of humanity and solidarity. Today we will vote on the Migration Pact that will increase the suffering of people, of children, and set back asylum rights for decades to come. So, this Pact is highly controversial, and as elected representatives of the EU citizens, our duty is to honour democracy and ensure that all voices are heard. So, the Greens/EFA Group therefore requests to move the debate on ‘Russia’s undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories’ – which is an important debate that my group fully supports – to tomorrow morning, and consequently to start the session at already 8.30, and we would like a roll-call vote on this request.

Mr President, thank you very much. There are many reasons for an abortion. From the fact that pregnancy is life-threatening to the fact that you simply don't want to. There are many reasons, but there is only one to decide. It's not the church, it's not politicians, it's not parents, neighbors or partners. It is only the individual woman who should make decisions about her own body. Abortion rights should not be restricted by politicians with a perverse need to control women's bodies. Therefore, the right to abortion must become part of the EU's fundamental rights. The right to abortion should be guaranteed throughout the EU, in every country, for every woman. (The speaker declined a question ("blue card") from Margarita de la Pisa Carrión)

Mr President, thank you very much. It took almost six months, more than 30,000 dead, most of them women and children, and a court warned of genocide before a majority of the European Parliament’s elected representatives backed the obvious – that we are calling for a permanent ceasefire. There is something seriously wrong with humanity. Children are dying in Gaza, not just from bombs but from starvation. No place is safe. But now that you have finally agreed to our demands for a permanent ceasefire, you can also listen to our other demands. Pause the EU's trade agreement with Israel. A full arms embargo. Put maximum pressure on Israel to comply with the order issued by the court of the ICJ. The Israeli government must stop killing innocent people. Help has to come in.

Mr President, thank you very much. In this room and in all other rooms where there are girls and women, there are also experiences and experiences of sexual harassment and abuse. It hurts to note the normalization of this sick fact. It also hurts to note that all the different instances of society have more or less accepted that it is like this, and do far, far too little. In 2017, we broke the silence. me too and showed each other and everyone else that we are not alone and that it is not our fault. And that shame and guilt should lie where it belongs, with the perpetrator. That's why we need to keep talking about men and men. Because next to every woman exposed, there is a man who exposes. Responsibility should also lie where it belongs.

Mr President, thank you very much. Navalny's death is not just a tragic case far away. That a tyrant like Putin systematically silences his political opponents with the most vile methods concerns us all. The fact that, despite all the condemnations, we continue to support Putin by buying his fossil energy is a disgrace. We must move from all these beautiful words to action. We must ensure that Navalny's death, Putin's oppression over parts of his own population and Putin's war in Ukraine are not forgotten. We must remind ourselves that the freedom to organise and raise one's voice cannot be taken for granted, and we must remind ourselves that we can do much more than we do today.

Madam President, thank you very much. In many ways, it would have been easier if all those who actually want to restrict the rights of LGBTIQ people spoke loud and wide about it. Too often there are many. And we would have seen that, it would have been obvious. They are often powerful too. Instead, the reality is the opposite, that they exist. They're in power. They are among us politicians. They're here. While waving rainbow flags at the same time, they make up with the far right in closed rooms to send LGBTIQ refugees back to death. The same people like to talk far and wide about human rights, but when it comes down to it, they are not prepared to do what is necessary for all people to live a life free from oppression and free from hatred and discrimination. The fight for a Europe where everyone can be who they are and love who they want, continues.

Madam President, thank you very much. We live in a time when we need more. Especially those of us who have won the trust of many others. When elected politicians deliberately misinterpret, spread lies and conspiracy theories, they make up for the hatred and racism that, among other things, manifests itself in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and which slowly but surely leads to violence and death. I wish we spent a lot less time talking about how terrible racism is and instead spent a lot more time and effort talking about how we concretely make sure to promote each individual's right to be who it is and believe in and live exactly as she wants – in respect for other people to enjoy the same right. We are living in a time when, unfortunately, many politicians are not taking the necessary responsibility, and that is devastating.

Madam President, thank you very much. The Ukrainians are fighting not only for their freedom but for the freedom of all of us. We know that. Ukrainians know that too. But only they know what it's like to live in some kind of everyday life while your daughter, your son, your husband or your wife is a soldier at the front. Only those who know what it's like to pack their children's school bags every day with that little extra that will be needed if the flight alarm goes off and the child can't come home, but has to hide in a shelter. Only they know what it feels like two years after a Russian full-scale invasion to be forced to listen to and follow degrading discussions about how much their struggle for our freedom will cost. This time, Putin's crater Viktor Orbán lost, and Ukraine can get the support it needs. But there will come a next time, as long as Orbán and anti-democrats are allowed to pick the raisins out of our common values. Slava Ukraini.