Speeches

Mr President, humanitarian assistance is being criminalised. The Italian government has adopted a new law that restricts rescue activities. It requires rescue vessels to inform the authorities as soon as a boat is rescued. As a result, NGOs spend more time travelling to ports than saving people at sea. Until when will we witness these tragic scenes of dead bodies lying on our beaches, of children disappearing into the waves? Thousands of lives shattered at Europe’s borders. This situation requires concrete action by the European Union, such as increasing the capacity of maritime authorities to patrol and destroy the role of smugglers. The introduction of humanitarian visas would allow asylum seekers to travel safely to the European Union. Europe must stand in solidarity and save lives, in line with our values and human dignity.

Madam President, Julio Obama Mefuman died in prison in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, while serving a 60-year sentence. His only crime was to be a member of the opposition. He was a European citizen: Because of his dual nationality, he was indeed Spanish. He was first detained, then imprisoned and tortured. In his country, the government brutally repressed civil society groups and censored journalists. The judiciary is under presidential control. The situation of the opposition is disastrous. According to Amnesty International, the security forces practice torture and other violence with impunity. The people of Guinea deserve better than that. The average age of the population is 22. It is therefore human capital that deserves a future worthy of its potential. Alongside Julio Obama, three opponents were also kidnapped, Feliciano Efa Mangue, Martín Obiang Ondo and Bienvenido Ndong Ondo, who were also abducted in Sudan and subjected to all kinds of torture. We call on the European Union to sanction these arbitrary detentions.

Madam President, Eswatini is the last absolutist monarchy in the world, headed by King Mswati III. In January 2021, a protest movement emerged calling for democratic reform. This demonstration was violently repressed. Dozens of people were killed. Mswati III had promised to start a national dialogue with the assistance of the Southern African Development Community, but her promise remained a dead letter: the repression continues and the situation deteriorates. Mswati III is cynical in accusing pro-democracy activists of "criminals" who dare to complain that civilians have been killed by mercenaries, while according to him, it is civilians who are behind criminal actions, with their protests. On 21 January, three weeks ago, Mr Thulani Maseko was assassinated. He was shot dead at his home, in front of his wife and children. He was Eswatini’s best-known human rights lawyer. Many pro-democracy activists were his clients. His murderer is most likely a mercenary hired by the monarchy, and who worked for a private security company known for its crimes during apartheid. This type of security company must have its license revoked. As the judicial system is not independent, we need an independent, impartial and effective investigation into the murder of the lawyer, which we condemn. This investigation should therefore be led by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations, in order to shed light on the attacks on pro-democracy activists. We demand the release of Mthandeni Dube, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and all political prisoners. We urge the Eswatini authorities to respect, promote and protect human rights.

Mr President, Commissioner, in these times of crisis, women and girls are particularly exposed to many dangers. They face situations of vulnerability, sometimes even in their own homes. One in three women has been the victim of violence and abuse in an intimate relationship with a close partner. But the risk does not stop there. Many women are victims of online harassment, hate messages and threats of rape, especially when they belong to an ethnic or religious minority. Most of them prefer to withdraw from the media space, the public space and all social networks. Financial dependence is often a key element for women living in situations of violence. Empowering women in technology could be one of the solutions to this problem. Indeed, access to modern means of communication could influence the situation of women fleeing, for example, their homes – a kind of digital literacy that should be developed for women. We therefore need to ensure gender equality in science and currently, above all, digital education, which could benefit them. My question to the Council is therefore: How can you ensure that the vulnerability of women fleeing their country is taken into account among the priorities of the European Union, especially when it comes to women of African descent or who live with a disability? What measures are being taken to bridge the digital divide and combat discrimination? Is the intersectional perspective a priority for the EU when it comes to gender equality?

Mr President, the Global Gateway strategy is a priori in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, it seems that the main focus is on exploiting energy resources, such as hydrogen, from developing countries for export to the EU. The European Union has developed many projects in sub-Saharan Africa, but these projects do not cover the energy consumption of these countries. More than 500 million people, or 75% of the African continent’s population, do not have access to electricity. The use of green hydrogen raises many questions for our partners. These new Gateway investments should be an opportunity that could positively influence our relationships. However, at the interparliamentary meeting with the Pan-African Parliament last month, in Brussels, as well as in the Committee on Development, it would appear that many issues remain unresolved. What does the Global Gateway mean for our partners? How can this new strategy mitigate resilience to climate change in developing countries? How can it also strengthen our credibility when the information is vague? In the context of our post-Cotonou agreements and the EU-Africa strategy, it is essential that this new strategy is compatible with the objectives of our partnership.

Mr President, there are currently about 26 million refugees in the world, half of whom are children. Many flee their country because of persecution, famine, wars, but also because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. One thing is clear: these refugees want to build a new existence elsewhere. What a shame to see that NGOs are being held hostage and that criminalization is taking precedence over human dignity. The seas must not become the coffins of thousands of refugees. Recent decrees adopted by EU governments criminalise humanitarian aid as NGOs are forced to violate the right to rescue enshrined in international maritime law. Is it a call to let people drown when humanitarian assistance to refugees is blocked through laws? We, the rest of us, must stand up and speak out against such a situation that goes against our values. Because every human being has the right to flee and be welcomed with dignity.

Mr President! A right-wing network planned a violent coup d'état in Germany. These people often occupy important positions in the German security apparatus. However, we must take the threat posed by such networks seriously. The right-wing extremists express their racism, their inhuman ideology, they spread their slogans. But being defensively democratic means opposing right-wing extremism wherever we encounter it, and that also means in our ranks. This also means getting up when theories of great exchange are spread here in the house. That means not voting with Nazis. This means preventing any form of salon-making of right-wing radical views. Let's be defensive and throw them out of the salon. They have no place in our society.

Madam President, the revolt of the Iranian people started with the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini by the Iranian police because of an unveiled strand of hair. The Iranian people demand justice, they demand freedom and they demand equality for women. He wants to live in a word according to his own ideals. The Iranian government responded with outrageous violence: arrests, death sentences, expeditious judgments. However, these convictions will not stop the desire to establish freedom and also to establish democracy. These hangings will certainly tear the sons and daughters of Iran from the affection of their parents, as is the case of Mohsen Shekari, Majidreza Rahnavard, Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, but the victory is at that price. Are we going to stand idly by and watch this massacre at the gates of Europe? We reiterate our solidarity and unwavering support for the Iranian people. The European Union must step up sanctions to save lives and, above all, review its asylum policy so that all those fleeing this despotic regime can come to us.

Madam President, there is a mistake. I'm catching the eye for Iran, for the next theme. Excuse me, I put the cardboard in too early. For Iran.

Madam President, minorities, whether ethnic, religious or linguistic, contribute to enriching our European project and not to degrading it. It is our duty to protect them, so that living together prospers within our continent. Numerous studies have shown that minorities, often judged negatively and compared by the population to the supposed "norm", are subject to inequality and discrimination. This is the case for minorities of African origin, whose history and contribution to peace at the end of the Second World War are completely obscured. Do you know how many Africans died in concentration camps in Germany? No, absolutely not. It is unknown to our students, whose schooling lasts twelve years. It is therefore time to rehabilitate them and make known the history of all the citizens who live on our continent. It is our duty to protect and respect minorities, and to give our motto ‘United in diversity’ its full value.

Madam President, the situation in Chad is alarming. After the death of the President of the Republic, the military took power, suspended the Constitution and dissolved the National Assembly. Thousands of people demonstrated throughout the country to demand an immediate return to democratic rule. The repression was brutal. Police responded to the protesters by firing live ammunition and tear gas. Initial estimates suggest that 50 people have been killed since October, but the exact figure is probably higher. More than 1,000 people were arrested and, according to the UN Committee against Torture, 400 were imprisoned in the Koro Toro incarceration centre, located in the middle of the desert. Most of them were sentenced in absentia to up to three years in prison. Conditions in prisons are disastrous. According to the latest reports, the lack of basic equipment, such as drinking water, is glaring. Torture is still relevant. Civil society has prepared a transition plan to re-establish democratic structures and emerge from this crisis situation. We must not abandon people who are victims of violence. We must make the voice of civil society heard, to support the return to democratic structures.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, this report is an important step in our cultural relations, because it takes into account the external dimension and welcomes the efforts made by some Member States to return stolen cultural property. The negotiation process must be undertaken in an approach that respects the positions of countries whose cultural property has been robbed. It must also actively support the efforts of all Member States to protect and repair their cultural and historical heritage. We also note the need to ensure that EU funds for the restoration of cultural heritage sites destroyed during conflicts do not benefit those who violate human rights or normalise dictatorial regimes. Culture and cultural relations are too often neglected; it is essential, however, because it makes it possible to forge strong links. We need to work towards the integration of cultural exchanges in order to improve our international relations and strengthen the authenticity of the ties that unite us.

Madam President, people with disabilities face structural barriers and discrimination, and are often victims of violence. By addressing intersectional discrimination, we could take targeted action for people with disabilities in vulnerable situations, such as women with disabilities from minorities, who are most affected. Unfortunately, faced with intersectional double discrimination, they suffer from violence and are often excluded from basic services, such as education, health or work. There are also handicaps which are not visible from the outside and which remain a real constraint for the individual. This gender and disability-related vulnerability creates an environment conducive to abuse and mistreatment. It is our duty to intervene to stop this injustice. We need to recognise the intersection of violence, gender and disability that women and girls face in order to be able to adopt more inclusive response strategies. We must also abolish restrictions on legal capacity, which hinder the rights of people with disabilities, to ensure that they have affordable, safe and effective access to justice. I therefore invite you to support us for the next European Day of Protest for Equality of Persons with Disabilities, to give them a voice and make inclusion a real priority.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the humanitarian situation in eastern Congo has worsened drastically. In accordance with the Cotonou Agreements, the European Union must join international mediation efforts in order for peace to return to this part of the territory. Currently, nearly 6 million internally displaced people in the DRC are directly witnessing this conflict characterised by unprecedented brutality. For two decades, every armed group, including M23, has been responsible for massive human rights violations with impunity. These violations destroy human lives and their livelihoods. Indeed, atrocities are committed against civilian populations. These are mostly murders, rapes and kidnappings. Innocent civilians are caught in this whirlwind of violence and displacement. The number of children recruited into rebel forces is growing exponentially. Thus, according to Dr Mukwege, our 2014 Sakharov Prize laureate, macabre violence knows no bounds – I quote him. This indiscriminate violence affects the entire population without distinction as to ethnicity, religion or occupation. Rape as a weapon of war, kidnapping and sexual abuse are on the agenda. This increase in violence also blocks the delivery of substantial humanitarian aid. It is crucial to protect current and future generations who will be traumatised by an environment of such violence. We can only hope that all the belligerents can start negotiations and sit down at the table so that peace can return.

Madam President, after more than ten years of negotiations, the European Union has adopted this directive, which aims to improve equal treatment and equal opportunities between men and women. In order to achieve this balance and thus break the glass ceiling for women’s participation in key positions on the boards of listed companies, many gender-sensitive measures will enter into force, as the permanent power imbalance between men and women is unacceptable. While some Member States have slowed down the implementation of the Directive, others have changed their positions, in particular my Member State, with the new German government advocating an inclusive and, in the long term, intersectional feminist policy. From now on, 40% of non-executive directors should be women by 2026, 33% of all director positions should be allocated to women. This initiative is a victory for women, a strong message: more women in publicly traded companies. It is clear that merit and competence remain the fundamental criteria for access to decision-making positions. However, in order to give this directive its full measure, it seems to me appropriate to make some additions such as the possibility of appealing to the courts and challenging the appointment of a male candidate. In that case, it is for the company to prove that it acted in accordance with the rules of the Directive. In the case of an election procedure, companies should ensure ethnic gender diversity in the composition of the list of pre-selected candidates. This diversity includes the participation of qualified women, regardless of their cultural background, sexual orientation, age and religious beliefs. In the long term, we would like to see the introduction of parity for all posts. These key priorities, in line with the values of the European Union, are the cement of a participatory and inclusive rainbow society.

Madam President, I would like to take the floor. I am also a black woman, like Mrs Assita Kanko, our colleague, and I am horrified at what I have just heard. That is not at all correct, as she has just said. This is not true. Racism exists. We are constantly confronted with this racism. This is unacceptable!

Mr President, racism is a reality that affects a whole life. It is contrary to our action plan, which we have adopted in order to abolish all forms of discrimination within the European Union. Many civil society organisations have told us about discrimination against people from minorities. There is an ever-increasing inequality of treatment between the different refugees fleeing the same war in Ukraine: In particular, people of African descent are denied integration and reception in host countries. Thousands of refugees face cumbersome administrative procedures and a discriminatory European migration policy. Some of them reported abuse, and the women told us that they had endured sexual violence during their flight. This is unacceptable. Nationality, skin colour, religion or sexual orientation must not be selection criteria, which undermine human dignity. The implementation of EU anti-discrimination legislation and financial support for groups fighting racism are necessary. In addition, data collection – for example through a survey – would justify our action. The European Union must guarantee humanist values, which are the basis of democracy and the rule of law, in an intersectional approach.

Madam President, Article 38 of the Istanbul Convention includes female genital mutilation, which constitutes sexual violence and a violation of women’s rights to sexual and reproductive health and physical integrity. To this end, a civil society association in Germany, in collaboration with the government, has drawn up a letter of protection which aims to break the taboo by raising awareness and thus preserve the physical integrity of young girls in the diaspora and protect them. The protection letter focuses on the legal consequences for any person who intends to perform excision. It also serves as a shield for families of emigrants who cannot escape the control of the family when they return to their homeland or when they send their daughters on holiday to their country of origin. It is a strong signal that informs communities about the illegality of the practice of mutilation and its harmful effects on the health of women and girls who are victims. There is a need to sensitize communities that practice mutilation without discriminating against them, without stigmatizing them. The letter of protection can be an effective instrument to eradicate mutilation in Europe. It will strengthen the directive, and I would like this letter of protection to be emulated and introduced in all the Member States of the European Union.

Mr President, the war calls on us not to forget our values of humanism, which are expressed in solidarity with all those fleeing Ukraine. All refugees deserve the same respect, without exception. And yet there is the hidden racism that appears in the differences in the treatment of refugees. Many Africans who were in Ukraine were arrested at the EU’s borders. Everyone has the right to flee a country at war, regardless of the color of their skin. Member States should allow foreign students who have fled Ukraine to continue their studies without bureaucratic obstacles. Indeed, African students who were in Ukrainian universities or who were training face many problems in our states. They can only enrol in our universities if they cannot return to their home country. Some states even require them to return home and from there apply for a visa to continue their studies at an EU university. We call on the Member States of the European Union to welcome people from minorities with equal compassion. Our solidarity must be total, given the importance we attach to education.

Mr President, Commissioner Dalli, the scale of the family allowances case is an unprecedented racist scandal. Thousands of families have been accused of fraud by the tax authorities. Migrant families, African or black, were prosecuted by the authorities, who demanded the immediate reimbursement of the benefits that these families had legally received. Many families could not bear to be taxed as fraudsters by the state and committed suicide in despair given the scale of their debt, other families broke up, and more than 1,000 children were placed in state custody. The Dutch government agreed to use racist algorithms, which indicated foreign-sounding names or dual nationality as an indicator of fraud. He had to admit that what was declared as a strict anti-fraud policy was nothing but institutional racism, from discrimination to racial profiling. This is unacceptable. The fundamental values of the European Union, human rights, the rights of our citizens have been violated, and the cause is: racism. What will the European Union do? Will it draw the consequences and deliver on its promise to fight institutional racism across its territory? What about the action plan we voted on? What has the Dutch Government done and what will the Commission do to ensure that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of skin colour?

Madam President, Total Energy and other investors are running two megaprojects that are violating the human rights of more than 100,000 people in East Africa. For people, these oil fields are more of a curse than a source of development. This giant 50-degree-heated pipeline passes through Tanzania and Uganda and causes environmental damage to flora and fauna, as the pipeline carries oil, causing massive displacement of people, who are deprived of livelihoods. This causes and will cause starvation and encourage the out-of-schooling of young people, especially girls. Farmers were forced to give up their land and did not see the shadow of financial compensation. Opponents of the oil project are seen as enemies of the government and victims of threats of arrest and imprisonment. The cry of the heart of activists, including the founder of Fridays for Future in Uganda, challenges us. She sees the future of the young people of her generation shattered in favour of bad capitalism. Once again, the exploitation of fossil energy is not only an ecological tragedy, but also a human tragedy. It is essential that this resolution be voted on tomorrow, so that Ugandans and Tanzanians know that the European Parliament supports them.

Mr President, the negotiations on the post-Cotonou agreement are based on a common pillar and focus on the specific needs of the regions, namely democracy and human rights, sustainable, social and human development. Today, we have the opportunity to implement our agenda, including that of a sustainable partnership on an equal footing with the ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific). As Vice-Chair of this delegation, I am delighted that the amendment on the duty of remembrance, which we included in the agreements, has been translated into the measures that my Member State, Germany, has just taken in returning the Beninese bronzes. I hope this will be emulated. This gesture also testifies to this desire to take on our common history in a spirit of mutual understanding. We want to start a fruitful dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and have constructive exchanges with a strong involvement of the European Parliament and the active support of the Member States.

Mr President, food security in developing countries deteriorated before the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has grown considerably following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Currently, 800 million people are at risk of starvation, reflecting the uneven distribution of food. The current conflict in Ukraine shines a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of the global food system and highlights the dependence of developing countries, which import a large part of their grain from Russia and Ukraine. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 2 Zero Hunger, we need to ensure that our trade policies do not interfere with the development goals and put more emphasis on food sovereignty. Food sovereignty, i.e. the right of peoples and countries to define their own agricultural and food policy, will make countries less dependent on national markets and thus on food imports. The big challenge is to ensure access to adequate food for all, because the right to food is a right... (The President withdrew the floor to the speaker)

Madam President, the feminisation of poverty in Europe has taken on worrying proportions, not least because of the pandemic. Since the mid-1970s, research on women has been based on the thesis that poverty is female. More than half of single mothers and women raising their children alone live below the poverty line and work in precarious conditions. We must therefore do everything possible to eliminate structural inequalities in the remuneration of jobs mainly occupied by women, and use our social protection system to achieve this so that they can achieve empowerment. Upgrading is the key word. The gender pay gap must be replaced by equivalence or, as a first step, by a significant increase in the value of women’s work. Single or elderly women, as well as single mothers and caregivers, should be seen as a social compass for solidarity and community spirit. In Europe, women of non-European origin, in particular Roma women and women of African or Arab origin, are doubly disadvantaged. In many cases, they are in precarious and poorly paid jobs, working part-time despite their qualifications. In the context of gender equality, our report should aim to upgrade these types of jobs with support measures that can enable women to flourish.

Madam President, last week more than 2 000 migrants tried to cross the border to the enclave of Melilla. They were greeted by tear gas bombs and stabbings. The UN denounces the disproportionate use of force on both sides of the border, and the African Union demands an investigation, statements with which we associate ourselves. There is no justification for such violence at Europe’s external borders, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 23 people, buried on the ground. It is a heinous, inhuman act and also, it must be said, a racist act. By erecting barriers, we show that cooperation between States and the international community has failed on some points. Barriers and walls are erected to protect people in search of a dignified life. Is it compatible with our values? However, the right to asylum is an inalienable right. Moreover, the phrase ‘fighting the causes of exodus’ should not remain an advertising slogan, but should be translated into action, a fair climate policy and a trade policy. We need to engage with our partners in Africa and find appropriate solutions to ensure that the human rights of migrants are respected. The Melilla massacre should make us think about how to make these barriers obsolete and take into consideration the Migration Pact in order to prevent such tragedies from happening again.