What Isabel spoke about.

20

May

2026

Speeches FR

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Recruitment of children by organised crime (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, organised crime is now recruiting at the speed of digital technology. A 14-year-old boy receives a message on Instagram: a promise of easy money, some safe deliveries. This is how the criminal recruitment of minors begins today. No longer on the street, but on our screens. The methods have changed profoundly: faster, more diffuse, more invisible. Social networks, encrypted messaging, online gaming environments … these spaces that our children inhabit on a daily basis have become hunting grounds for organized crime. We are facing digitalised and 'uberised' crime: instant cross-border coordination, fragmented tasks, large-scale recruitment. A real crime as a service. The escalation is real. What starts with envelope transport can lead, in stages, to acts of extreme violence. Children, sometimes just out of primary school, were recruited as watchmen, smugglers and then as implementers. In several Member States, young minors have been involved in commission killings. Organized crime exploits their youth: they are malleable, loyal out of fear and criminally less exposed. This is where our responsibility lies: strengthening prevention, investing in digital education, cooperating with and empowering platforms. But we must also recognize that we are no longer just talking about petty delinquency. More resources are needed, especially for Europol, because protecting children today also means protecting them from those who use their innocence as a weapon.

19

May

2026

Speeches FR

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EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems (debate)

Madam President, cyberspace has become a permanent battleground. Cyberattacks hit our hospitals, our energy networks, our democratic institutions. They affect every day the concrete life of our citizens, their data, their economies, their essential services. And since artificial intelligence entered the equation, their sophistication has crossed a new threshold. In the field of defence, this is particularly alarming. State actors are now using advanced models to identify vulnerabilities in our military systems, disrupt our communications, and conduct disinformation operations on an industrial scale. Europe has not stood idly by. The cybersecurity package of January 2026, the strengthening of ENISA, the requirements of the AI Regulation, all this constitutes a serious basis. We have built a framework and it is a real achievement. But this framework will not be enough if we depend on technologies that we do not master. Europe's strategic autonomy is not an option. It is a vital necessity, because our adversaries do not give themselves the same limits. Our standards are a strength, they must never become a weakness. We need to invest heavily in our expertise, in our own capabilities, in our digital sovereignty. Legislating today is not enough, we must anticipate and act.

28

Apr

2026

Speeches FR

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Ensuring accountability and justice in response to Russia’s continued attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, we are deeply indignant at the criminal acts committed by Russia against Ukrainian civilians, most recently in Kiev, Dnipro, Cherkassy, Sloviansk, Chernihiv and Kharkiv. Systematic targeting of the civilian population and infrastructure covering the primary needs of Ukrainians is inhumane. It is inconceivable that Russia has sought to destroy the Petchenihy dam. We must continue our efforts to help Ukraine defend itself and demand justice. The special tribunal established within the Council of Europe must be made operational as soon as possible, as must the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. And we must continue to support the collection of evidence of crimes committed. We are now at the 20the package of sanctions, but surely we will not be able to stop at this one. It is essential that those responsible for the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children continue to be punished. Impunity cannot prevail. That is the promise we owe to the victims. Slava Ukraini!

28

Apr

2026

Questions FR

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Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025 (debate)

Mr President, fundamental rights are under increasing pressure today. There is a real risk that these rights will be relegated to the background of the political agenda. However, it is precisely during the turbulent periods of history that we most need these lighthouses to guide us. The values on which the European Union is founded – democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights – are not abstract principles. They must remain a cornerstone of our policies and actions. Allow me, in our Union, to mention the turn taken by Hungary, which is so hopeful. Péter Magyar, in his first speech after the election result, said he would urgently ensure that press freedom is restored. This commitment is so important. We know how inherent freedom of the press is to democracy. We therefore look forward to seeing these promises translated into concrete action. Another aspect of our report that I would like to mention is digital and artificial intelligence. These realities can bring enormous benefits to humanity, but they carry equally disproportionate risks: Disinformation, algorithmic amplification, the manipulation of opinion and an all-powerful AI without ethical barriers endanger democracy, the critical thinking of human beings and even the freedom of the person. It is our duty to ensure that the principles of transparency and fairness are respected, that the interest of the human being is always the point of departure and the point of arrival, that our safeguards defend democracy and fundamental rights.

12

Feb

2026

Speeches FR

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Recommendation to the Council on EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate)

10

Feb

2026

Speeches FR

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European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis (debate)

10

Feb

2026

Speeches FR

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Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment (debate)

20

Jan

2026

Speeches FR

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Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2025 (debate)

Mr President, we are in a new era. This is a reality that we observe day after day. International law is being challenged, democracy is retreating, the rule of law and human rights are being attacked openly, without any embarrassment. All over the world, violations are multiplying. Authoritarian regimes and authoritarianism are gaining ground. Elections are stolen. In the face of this, the European Union is not entitled to hesitation. We must remain true to who we are. We must unequivocally and firmly defend human dignity, freedom and justice. The 2025 annual report on human rights and democracy in the world is a lucid report, without complacency, and I warmly thank rapporteur Francisco Assis for his work and the excellent atmosphere during the negotiations. In this report, we stress that impunity must never be an option, that serious human rights violations cannot go unanswered. Concretely, we must extend our sanctions regime, including to acts of corruption, and systematically target those responsible for repression. Europe must remain credible, firm and true to its values. We have no right to look away. We must stand by those who are fighting for democracy around the world.

20

Jan

2026

Speeches EN

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Brutal repression against protesters in Iran (debate)

Mr President, the people of Iran – I wanted to begin with those words, 'the people of Iran'. They are giving a message to the world. They are admirable, fighting for their freedom, knowing the risks, knowing many will die. They are fighting, putting freedom above their security, above their own lives. We should hear this message. Here, where so many of us take for granted the freedom brave Iranians are fighting for, risking everything. It is a message of hope – they believe. And it is the message that freedom is invaluable. The least the European Union can do is to stand with the Iranian people. We have to put pressure on this government, sanction the regime and designate the IRCG as a terrorist organisation. Dear Iranians, you who are fighting for freedom, we stand with you.

18

Dec

2025

Speeches FR

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European Democracy Shield – very large online platform algorithms, foreign interference and the spread of disinformation (debate)

26

Nov

2025

Speeches FR

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EU response to the continuous airspace violations and sabotage of critical infrastructure in the EU originating from Russia and Belarus (debate)

25

Nov

2025

Speeches FR

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Political situation in Myanmar including the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya (debate)

Madam President, the Rohingya crisis remains one of the most dramatic humanitarian emergencies of recent years. And yet, it gradually tends to disappear from the media and political radars. Today, we are talking about a population that has been subjected for years to a repression of unprecedented brutality. The military junta in Myanmar continues to use terror as a method of government: torture, executions, arbitrary detentions, sexual violence, all with almost total impunity. The humanitarian consequences are immense. Beyond Myanmar, this crisis is weighing heavily on the region. This was made clear by the recent mission of our Subcommittee on Human Rights to Bangladesh, in which I participated. The country is hosting more than a million Rohingya refugees in a situation that is becoming increasingly untenable for refugees, but also extremely difficult for the host country. Bangladesh was making a great deal of effort, but the resources at its disposal were clearly limited. In this context, we welcome the humanitarian allocation dedicated by the European Union last March. The international community must also stand in solidarity and intensify its political, diplomatic and humanitarian commitment to protect the Rohingya, support host countries and step up assistance to displaced populations. This crisis, which is affecting the entire region, also requires the continuation and expansion of targeted sanctions against those responsible for the coup and the atrocities committed. We must defend human dignity and fundamental rights here flouted. We therefore express our unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar, with their legitimate democratic representatives, as well as with civil society and all those fighting for democracy. We pay tribute to the immense courage of all those who, every day, resist oppression, often at the risk of their lives. Their fight for freedom, dignity and democracy obliges us. It must remain in our news.

22

Oct

2025

Speeches FR

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The need for a united support to Ukraine and for a just and durable peace concluded on Ukraine's terms, with Europeans and without surrendering to Vladimir Putin's conditions ahead of the foreseen Budapest summit (debate)

Mr President, the Ukrainian people have now been fighting against the Russian aggressor for three and a half years. Ukraine is fighting this fight for its survival, its sovereignty, its independence, but also by its fight it protects us, our democracies. We owe them not only recognition, but also all the help we are capable of. Thousands of Ukrainian men, women and children have lost their lives and experienced trauma that will never allow them to live in peace again. This is because of Russia's hegemonic cravings. It would be unacceptable for peace to be achieved under the terms of the aggressor. We, the European Union, owe it to the Ukrainian people to be united, united in the defence of Ukraine, and we must work together – together – to ensure that with peace the Ukrainians regain their territorial integrity. Also for peace to be made with them and for peace to be a lasting peace. Slava Ukraini!

21

Oct

2025

Speeches FR

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Criminal intimidation against investigative journalists in the EU: the attempted attack on Sigfrido Ranucci (debate)

Mr President, the criminal attack on Sigfrido Ranucci, an Italian investigative journalist, is deeply unworthy of us. It is unacceptable that unveiling the truth exposes such dangers. This attack must also raise a collective awareness of the harsh reality faced by so many investigative journalists today. And this even in our democracies. They are under real threat and the rule of law does not always protect them. We are even seeing a rise in bullying, online and offline harassment, and even more so when it comes to women journalists. And despite our efforts to act against abusive legal proceedings, SLAPPs, we are far from having the necessary effectiveness. However, these abusive procedures divert the spirit of our laws and aim to silence those who dare to expose the corruption that plagues societies. Our democracies are thus doubly attacked, since it is also trust in justice and, in turn, trust in democracy that suffer. I would like to stress this again. Journalists' investigations, their struggle to inform, to expose corruption are essential to the preservation of democracy and the rule of law. We must listen to the demands of free press groups and put in place frameworks and supports that allow journalists and the media an independence, including financial independence, that allows them to offer quality and independent information, conditions that are less and less obvious in today's digital reality. But this is what we owe to those who, often at the risk of their lives and those of their loved ones, undertake to expose the truth in broad daylight.

21

Oct

2025

Speeches FR

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Delayed justice and rule of law backsliding in Malta, eight years after Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination (debate)

Mr President, Daphne Caruana Galizia: Every year, the same starting point, every year, we must see that a journalist in the European Union has been murdered and that co-leaders at the highest level continue to enjoy impunity. Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered eight years ago. Eight years! His family is fighting an admirable battle. In the European Parliament, we are multiplying calls for the Maltese government to finally take its responsibilities and ensure that impunity ends. Free press groups too, and they are calling for the necessary legislative reforms to ensure media freedom and the safety of journalists. But the slow pace of the Maltese authorities is almost provocative. It is to be hoped that the public consultation on media reform, initiated by the Maltese Ministry of Justice, is not just another move to delay action to ensure a free press, an investigative press capable of exposing corruption and thus combating it. This is Daphne's fight, the one that cost him his life. We demand that all, I insist, those responsible for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia be brought to justice.

7

Oct

2025

Speeches FR

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This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden (debate)

Madam President, Prime Minister, thank you for insisting on the values that define our European Union. Today, they are particularly at risk, as authoritarian ideologies continue to gain ground. We must not be mistaken: Where illiberalism takes hold, democracy retreats. Once in power, the illiberals destroy the rule of law. They pass laws designed to prevent political alternation and weaken the independence of the judiciary. It is arbitrariness that reigns. More than ever, we must be united against the existential threats that surround us. Thus, we urgently need common rules in the face of the drifts of social media and opaque and polarizing algorithms. The internet cannot be a place that endoctrines. It is used by unscrupulous people, criminals and foreign powers who want to destroy our democracies and freedoms. We can't let this happen. The European Union is working on this, but we need to be faster and more efficient. Finally, I would like to mention the direct military threat that Russia poses to us. We no longer have the right to naivety or disunity. I will simply recall that, in the days leading up to the massive attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia mocked us and the United States, claiming that it had no intention of advancing with its troops in Ukraine. For our own security, we must continue to help Ukraine, continue to invest heavily in our defence and, above all, build a common European defence. Prime Minister, today more than ever the European Union needs to be united. Luxembourg, by its geography and its history, aims to play a role of cement between the countries of the Union. I trust you to build the bridges we so desperately need.

9

Sep

2025

Speeches FR

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Ukraine (joint debate)

Madam President, three and a half years. Three and a half years that the Ukrainians are awakened, night after night, by the sirens. Three and a half years that they bury their dead, fallen under the blows of the Russian army. A war waged against Ukraine in a completely unjustified manner, without any provocation. We will never forget the horrors of Bucha. We continue to call for the release of civilian prisoners and for the return of deported children to Ukraine. We have decided to support the Ukrainians for as long as it takes, and that is the minimum we can do, not only because we owe this help to our neighbours, who have decided that they want to live free and in democracy, like us, but also because they are our bulwark against an authoritarian regime that makes military threats against us and wages a very real and dangerous hybrid war against our democracies. We must therefore give all possible military support to Ukraine, intensify sanctions against Russia and also accompany Ukraine's efforts to welcome it, as we promised, into the European Union.

17

Jun

2025

Speeches FR

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The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, our union is based on fundamental values. It is based on human rights, on the rule of law. What characterizes us with the rule of law is that we have this absence of arbitrariness. The rule of law is the foundation of our democracy. Today we have problems in our Union. We must not hide it. We must confront it and do our best to remedy it. The importance of this report, and our Commissioner has just mentioned it, is absolutely central. This report has been called for by Parliament many times, and we have also called for not only an inventory to be made, but also for countries to be told what to do. And it was done. The report has been improved over the years. It can still be, but it is already a strong tool at our disposal. We must also make an absolute difference between systemic problems in some countries and one-off problems. This must be made clear in the report. I do not accept that countries like Hungary, for example, put forward criticisms against other countries that have absolutely no systemic problems. It is essential that the difference is made.

17

Jun

2025

Speeches FR

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Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) (debate)

Madam President, thousands and millions of images of child pornography videos are available online, in real time or on a delayed basis. Raw or synthetic images. All are based on the very real abuse of children. Artificial intelligence creations are developed from hundreds of thousands of very real images. We cannot trivialize, accept or remain silent. And then justice must punish. There can be no statute of limitations for these crimes against children. We cannot accept the free circulation of textbooks telling pedocriminals how to gain the trust of children, how to abuse babies without leaving traces. And we cannot in any way consider that there was consent on the part of the child. Never. There is no consent from a child. It is inconceivable that there can be impunity for pedocriminals and all those who assist them in the execution of their crimes. This is why it will be necessary to ensure that, afterwards, this important legislation is rapidly implemented in all the countries of the Union.

16

Jun

2025

Speeches FR

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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, the Ukrainians have shown, with their bombing of Russian military airports, that they are perfectly capable of breaking deep into Russian territory and causing significant damage, by choice of military damage. In response to the reported reaction of the Kremlin leader that he would have to retaliate against these attacks, my first thought was: How to retaliate? By killing civilians again? First, it is difficult to characterize any Russian attack on Ukraine as a response. It is the Russian army that is occupying Ukraine, attacking it relentlessly. And then what is happening before my eyes is the systematic attack on civilians by the Kremlin. The objective of the Russian bombings is, in a repetitive way, daily Ukrainian cities, and the men, women and children who live there. We often talk about deported children, but never enough. It has to be done over and over again. And we must also denounce, without getting tired, the fact that the Russian authorities are detaining civilians imprisoned for no other reason than that they are Ukrainians. Impunity cannot win. We must denounce it and ensure that those responsible are one day tried and punished.

21

May

2025

Speeches FR

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The Hungarian government's drift to Russia-style repression: legislative threats to freedom of expression and democratic participation (debate)

Mr President, I look forward to the day when I stand before you to rejoice that Hungary is once again embarking on the path of democracy. Unfortunately, this is not yet for today. On the contrary, with the draft law on the transparency of public life, the Hungarian government has crossed a new red line. By targeting independent media and organisations, under the pretext of foreign funding, the Hungarian government is using the pattern of Russian repression. Even financial support from the European Union would be suspect under this law. It's just ridiculous. Such a law is fundamentally incompatible with the values and principles of European law. It allows censorship. It gags freedom of expression, independent journalism. Recent polls show that Tisza's opposition far outpaces Fidesz. Only fear of the opposition, fear of independent media, fear of NGOs can explain such a bill. If adopted, it would further weaken democracy by further blocking access to free and diverse information. It would go hand in hand with perpetuating, without any justification, the state of emergency in the country. These are all desperate attempts to avoid a stinging defeat, stifling any dissenting voice. The upcoming elections must be held in a climate of freedom and fairness. That's what we stand for, that's what we fight for.

7

May

2025

Speeches FR

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Return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia

Madam President, among all the horrors that the Russian aggressor is inflicting on Ukrainians, a particularly unbearable crime is unfolding before our eyes: the mass deportation of Ukrainian children, orchestrated by the Russian authorities. This is not just a human drama, but a real war strategy. To take away one's children is to try to wipe out a people. Russian aggression is not limited to tanks and missiles. It also uses propaganda and ultimately aims to deny Ukrainian identity, to methodically dissolve it. According to figures put forward by the Russian authorities themselves, several hundred thousand children have been torn from their land since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Behind every number there is a face, a story. Behind every number, there is a child deprived of his language, culture and identity, when it is not from his family. The fate of these thousands of deported children cannot leave indifferent. Under no circumstances can it be absent from future negotiations with Russia. No lasting peace without justice, no justice without truth; These children have the right to truth, justice, dignity and a future in Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!

6

May

2025

Speeches FR

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2023 and 2024 reports on Türkiye (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, Turkey is a candidate country for accession to the European Union. Turkey has chosen to be a candidate. So it is as such that we address her. Our first concern is therefore the values on which the European Union is founded: democracy, the rule of law. However, the situation of democracy in Turkey is more than worrying. When the independence of the judiciary is flouted, when the main opponent of the current government and mayor of Istanbul is put in prison, we legitimately ask ourselves questions about the space left for democracy, and I have only mentioned the most emblematic example. We must also consider all other local elected officials who have been dismissed by the government. Beyond politicians, it is also civil society that is restricted in its action. And then there is the situation of journalists. Independence and freedom of the press are indispensable to any democratic society. However, journalists cannot freely exercise their profession in Turkey and, above all, many of them are arrested – an alarming situation. These limitations of the democratic space run counter to the aspirations of a large part of the Turkish population to join the European Union. We remain sensitive to this attachment. We are aware of this desire for Europe, but recent developments are still going in the opposite direction to what is necessary to resume accession negotiations. We also recognize the essential role played by Turkey in the region, a NATO member Turkey. Due to its geographical position and diplomatic weight, it can make a major contribution to regional stability and we also welcome its cooperation efforts in the field of migration. However, as a candidate country for the European Union, we also expect Turkey to behave in a manner consistent with the principles that this implies: solidarity among allies, respect for international law, support for independence and respect for the sovereignty of states. We're a long way from that. Subsists a simple message: the door is not closed, but re-engaging in the accession process requires respect for the principles on which our Union is built.

1

Apr

2025

Speeches FR

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Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)

Mr President, our world today needs more light than ever against obscurantism and information against propaganda. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty provides reliable and relevant information where authoritarianism is rife, where people want to be kept in the dark. In democracy, we defend not only that journalists have the right to inform, but also that citizens have the right to information. Authoritarian regimes replace truth with false propaganda. It is therefore of the utmost importance for the defence of democracy that information and the truth of the facts can make their way to the citizens. Thus, we cannot let go of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Its disappearance, moreover, would not at all amount to the creation of a vacuum: it would be tantamount to giving free rein to propaganda, the enemy of democracy. To accept this would be to play into the hands of our adversaries in the hybrid war they are waging against us. Let's find ways to support Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. It carries information where it is imperative to do so. If false propaganda is a weapon, so is the truth. This war, we must win it!

1

Apr

2025

Speeches FR

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Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 (debate)

Mr President, Vice-President and High Representative Kaja Kallas, thank you very much for your words and for all the work you are doing to defend our democracy and human rights. I would also like to thank the shadow rapporteurs, who worked very constructively. We managed to work in consensus, and I hope that the report will be able to find a large majority tomorrow, when it is voted on. To colleagues in this Chamber who have spoken about the countries of the European Union, I would like to remind you that this report is a report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It therefore concerns countries outside the European Union. You are often quick to talk about subsidiarity. However, here we have a committee dealing with what is happening in the countries of the European Union: LIBE Committee. And I am sure that, when there are gaps, this committee, of which I am a member, does its job well. I would also like to say that the interventions by colleagues show that this world is entering a new era, an era in which international law, democracy, the rule of law and human rights are fundamentally challenged. The European Union must stay the course and reaffirm its values, which build a world of justice and respect for the human person. If we want our voice to be heard on the global stage, we need to be united. Only together will we be strong enough to be heard.