What Assita spoke about.

24

Apr

2024

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Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

Mr President, how many components produced in the EU were used to build the missiles that were fired at Israel last week? It took you from November last year until this week to take action on the ban on the supply to Iran of components for the construction of ballistic missiles. It was always intentions, but those intentions do not protect anyone and make the EU irrelevant. Iran's support for Hamas was apparently not alarming enough. What else did Iran have to do so that the EU would act in time and do more than talk? Cooperation with North Korea was also not sufficiently threatening. The threat of free passage in the Red Sea and the hostage-taking of crew members also proved insufficient. Nor were serious human rights violations, with 800 executions in 2023 alone. It has long been clear to me what should have happened. The agreed additional sanctions have been welcomed, but lavishly late and insufficient. Qualify the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. Otherwise, it would be as if you had supplied drones to Russia yourself or fired those missiles at Israel yourself.

23

Apr

2024

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Combating violence against women and domestic violence (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, when we speak about women’s rights, we are speaking about real women and girls undergoing awful experiences and facing injustice too often. The perpetrators feel free to continue the violence inside the homes and outside in the streets as well. Women and girls are safe nowhere for sure. We must never get used to this or be too proud of what we have achieved, because this is one step ahead and there is still so much to do. I speak today as a politician, but above all as a woman and as a mother. We all know that this is good, but that it is not enough. Sex without consent is a criminal offence. Do you realise that we live in a Europe where we still have to fight for a sentence like this in a legislation? Dear colleagues, I will vote for the directive tomorrow, the first-ever step towards justice and freedom for women against violence. But let’s agree to that one last big thing: there is still much to do and this is only a work in progress. As mothers, as lawmakers, we have gotten a lot from the past. What are we prepared to give to the future? This is what we must continue working on after the elections if we have the chance to pursue this work and make this still a priority.

23

Apr

2024

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The transfer of proceedings in criminal matters (A9-0008/2024 - Assita Kanko) (vote)

Mr President, better justice will mean safer countries and safer homes for our citizens. This legislation is a crucial step towards better judicial cooperation and faster law enforcement. This is particularly important when investigating cross-border organised crime such as terrorism, human drugs and firearm trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime or money laundering. Together, we are about to ensure that justice in EU countries works better and faster, and that our citizens are protected and respected. As rapporteur, I would like to thank all the teams, especially Joanna and Anamaria, and all the shadows who contributed. This was good parliamentary work. This is the result – no ‘blah, blah, blah’ – and this Parliament can achieve. Thank you for your support.

22

Apr

2024

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Approval of the minutes of forthcoming sittings

Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to wish a happy Passover to all Jews in Europe and around the world. The story of Passover and of its redemption and liberation is especially relevant today, as we cannot forget the hostages still held by Hamas and others. Passover also carries a message of hope and of time spent together as a family. Therefore, once again, a happy and peaceful Passover to all Jews and to everyone who keeps human faith in their heart.

10

Apr

2024

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Screening of third country nationals at the external borders - European Criminal Records Information System - Third Country Nationals - Common procedure for international protection in the Union - Establishing a return border procedure, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 - Asylum and migration management - Addressing situations of crisis and force majeure - Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of Regulation (EU) No 604/2013, for identifying an illegally staying third-country national or stateless person and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States' law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes (recast) - Union Resettlement Framework - Standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection - Standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast) (joint debate - Migration and Asylum package)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, would Alan Kurdi have been saved with the package of measures that we are about to vote on? Would all those thousands of drowning deaths have been prevented in the Mediterranean? I'm afraid not. The asylum and migration pact does nothing to prevent uncontrolled influx with the help of people smugglers. On this point, therefore, the agreement I have reached is far from satisfactory. Will the pressure on our society be less with these measures? I'm a little more positive here. I expect that the processing of unsuccessful asylum applications directly at the European external borders will reduce the number of secondary movements. I also think that the extension of two databases will help all the authorities involved. I can therefore rely on these aspects of the pact, not on the others. Finally, this has to take me from the heart: Vlaams Belang has very boldly tabled a few amendments, knowing that they are now without a chance. These measures have been negotiated for eight years. I haven't seen Vlaams Belang anywhere during the negotiations in recent years. Dear voters, don't fall into the trap. Vlaams Belang has achieved nothing for you in the migration discussion. The N-VA does, even though it remains far from perfect. We are doing our parliamentary work.

10

Apr

2024

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Order of business

Madam President, I would just like to make a very short remark. It’s a very sad and disappointing that anyone who cares about humanitarian aid and human rights would speak to propose this debate without at any moment mentioning the situation of the hostages. You speak – do you know since how long they are there? Imagine the situation of the hostages, and you don’t say anything about UNWRA, who has people who are contributing to the destruction of human life and who also support the destruction of both Palestinians’ and Israelis’ destinies. Sorry, but this is not okay.

13

Mar

2024

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The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

Mr President, dear colleagues, Hamas calls for ceasefire but consistently rejected to free the remaining hostages, hostages held in captivity in tunnels potentially funded by Western money, hostages to whom access by the International Committee of the Red Cross was denied. Recently there was a manifestation in Brussels calling for a ceasefire. But I heard nobody talk about the atrocities committed by Hamas, and that view is becoming more and more mainstream in our media. We must not forget what ignited this horrible situation for ordinary Palestinians. The Hamas assault on Israel, in which it killed, raped and tortured over a thousand men, women and children and took at least 240 people to Gaza as hostages. Calling just for a ceasefire is, to a certain degree, saying to Hamas, ‘Well, you can try it again tomorrow.’ Dear colleagues, I am strongly convinced that there will be no prospects for peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza, as well as for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation, as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups will play any role in the Gaza Strip. I support the continuation of humanitarian aid entering Gaza by road, air and sea, and stressed that it must reach those civilians in need, not Hamas, not UNWRA. The disbursement of aid has to be organised in such a way that chaotic scenes and Hamas taking over aid convoys and redirecting aid to its own fighters are prevented. EU funds, which in the past were provided to UNWRA, should in the future be given to the UN Development Programme, UN Refugee Agency and the World Food Programme. Stop fuelling Hamas, for the sake of the Palestinian people, for the sake of the Jewish State, for the sake of global peace and security – Hamas must end.

12

Mar

2024

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Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024 (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, investing in defence often remains a taboo. Weapons are considered ‘non-ethical’. Is that the war? What naivety! In order to live in peace, we must be ready. On n’élève pas son chien le jour de la chasse. The recent statements of French President Macron about the war in Ukraine are quite loosening, because he has spoken the language that Putin can understand: Showing muscle balls. Europe must dare to knock on the table. Not only say, but also show that we don't let ourselves be fooled. Why do we keep pretending that peace is preserved by being submissive? As a woman in a man's world, I've known for a long time that's not the case. It's been enough. Europe has long been lying on its back and acting as a doormat for Putin. Our citizens are not proud of that and Putin is not impressed by that either. We have taken peace for granted, and our naiveté has brought the war back to Europe. In addition to the attitude, we must also be more ready than ever, invest in defence and do our part within NATO. A country like Belgium remains in the tail of the NATO peloton. This is a lack of self-respect. We must have something to say within NATO. We need to make our industry strategically independent. That is why I welcome the European defence industry strategy proposed by the Commission. Let's make something of that.

27

Feb

2024

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War in the Gaza Strip and the need to reach a ceasefire, including recent developments in the region (debate)

Mr President, the ECR Group wants the immediate release of all hostages, the dismantling of the Hamas terrorist group, followed by a ceasefire. Of course, everyone wants Gaza's access to humanitarian aid, as long as it is not averted by Hamas. I am appalled by the depravity within UNRWA. Yesterday I listened to a mother in Geneva. Her son was abducted from the music festival to Gaza lifeless by a UNRWA employee in a UNRWA jeep. It's all on video. Do we want to pay for this? Unlike the High Representative, who is not here, and the Belgian Presidency of the Council, which also seems to have better things to do, I believe that it is legitimate for EU Member States to suspend their funding of UNRWA pending the conclusion of the investigations. A thorough review of UNRWA could eventually lead to its replacement by UNHCR and other credible agencies that do a good job. We call for full transparency and fraud control on EU funding for UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority. Minimum respect for the taxpayer, that's really not too much to ask. And think of this mother and her murdered son, by a UNRWA employee.

7

Feb

2024

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Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)

Madam President, saying that anti-Semitism is unacceptable has nothing to do with Muslim hatred. It is sad and disappointing that these two topics have been connected for today’s debate. How cynical. We all know who needs protection today against whom: it is the Jewish schools, museums and synagogues that are guarded, and we all know why. But why is it so difficult to say it, to name the reality, the Islamic anti-Semitism? We saw it in the streets here in Europe, calling to destroy the Jews. We saw it in the murders in the Jewish Museum in Belgium. We saw it in the celebration of the pogrom in Israel. We saw it in the pressure for the silence kept by international organisations who ignored the pain of the Jewish women. The reason why they kept silence is the same reason why, whenever you say anything about anti-Semitism, they want to add Muslim hatred in the conversation or they say that you are a racist. It is the reason why so many European countries use taxpayers’ money to sponsor organisations who pretend to fight racism and Islamophobia, but are the tentacles of the Muslim Brotherhood operating here to feed its forces against us in Europe. Today is Shani Louk’s birthday. She was born on 7 February 2001 and killed on 7 October in Israel. Dear colleagues, I was born as a Muslim and I am telling you, saying that radical Islam is a threat has nothing to do with Muslim hatred. Saying that anti-Semitism is unacceptable has nothing to do with Muslim hatred. Colleagues, on the contrary, it has everything to do with human dignity.

12

Dec

2023

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Need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution (debate)

Mr President, I met families of hostages in Brussels that told me about life in a kibbutz. Before 7 October, they had a life. Since then, it has become hell, because their loved ones were kidnapped or killed in the most barbaric way, intentionally massacred and never to return because they are Jews – hunted like animals, especially the women, and slaughtered as if they were nothing. Even animals have rights today. Some know that their loved ones are in Gaza. A woman told me about her kidnapped sister. How do you go on with your life? Imagine yourself in their place: that your house was entered, the place you call home. And this kidnapped girl, what do you think Hamas is doing to her now? But it seems this violence leaves the world so indifferent. No one wants war. But whatever we demand of the Israeli, let us first put ourselves in their place. Let us always remember the intention – the clear intention to massacre someone because they are Jewish. Where is the world? Where is Europe going if such hatred and indifference is permitted? Where is the United Nations going? Whose role was to be the beacon of the world? The cowardice of keeping silent because the women who were killed are Jewish? Where are we going when so many of our top politicians tolerate the actions of an Islamic terrorist group and build their careers on the failure of integration in our countries, an attitude that brings this danger and anti-Semitism to our doorstep. Yes, we need a two-state solution. Yes, a life without war is better. But the real question today is what would you do when you are raped and burned? Think of your loved ones with whom you will soon be celebrating Christmas. Would you leave them in Gaza in the hands of Hamas? I hope and wish that we never have to answer that question.

22

Nov

2023

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Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for the release of hostages and for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire and the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East (debate)

Mr President, today I have a question – a pressing question – for some western feminists: how can you remain silent when women and girls are raped, tortured, their bodies carried around naked and spat on by bearded men shouting Allahu Akbar? Then you can never call yourself a feminist again. Every day, including today, some western hypocritical feminists should be ashamed of their silence on the horror that Hamas men inflicted to women and girls on 7 October. And that includes big names we were once proud of. Why are their lips sealed and their hearts of stone when it comes to the excruciating pain of Jewish women? The MeToo movement and so-called intersectional feminists do not care about all women. If they remain silent, it means they have lied to us about their commitment to women’s rights. Their actions support the oppressor, not the victims. Also the EU money does indirectly. Those who say nothing about these women and the hostages should not be standing here and speaking about human rights. When you are under attack by terrorists, a ceasefire is like raising your hands when you are being shot at. Perhaps it’s worth considering that a real, lasting ceasefire will start with bringing back all the hostages to their homes and the rapists to justice.

9

Nov

2023

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Outcome of the EU-US summit (debate)

Mr President, for the first time since I left my native Burkina Faso, I see just as much insecurity and increased censorship on certain subjects here in Europe. I'm not the only one. Many fellow citizens are worried. Europe and the US must work harder together for our security and our future, for a safer home for our citizens. In these times of geopolitical conflict and increased global fragmentation, this alliance is crucial. Indeed, we must work together to fight terrorists and their supporters in our homes, to recognise Israel's right to self-defense in the Middle East, to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza, to free the hostages, to build better partnerships with Africa and to bring back the perspective of a two-state solution in the Middle East. There is also a lot to do economically. Why are there no agreements with America yet on sustainable steel and aluminium and on critical raw materials? I call on both partners to come to agreements this year and also on Europe to do something, to provide an adequate response to the Inflation Reduction Act.

8

Nov

2023

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023 - Humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause (joint debate - Conclusions of the European Council and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause)

Madam President, first of all, it’s unacceptable that European politicians demonstrate alongside organisations who clearly support Hamas and carry flags of ISIS. Left-wing politicians like Mélenchon in France, Pineda in Spain or Ahidar in Belgium turn this into a political strategy that can only further divide Western societies. And colleague Pineda dares ask for the resignation of President von der Leyen. Seriously? From my part, people like Pineda should move to Gaza and officially work for the Hamas propaganda instead of staying in a Europe they despise and do not protect. Second, let me be clear on the conflict between Israel and Hamas: the European Council should maintain its balanced position, a position between condemnation of Hamas terrorist attacks across Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself and providing humanitarian access to Gaza for aid supplies, while ensuring that this assistance is not misused by terrorist organisations. The EU must not leave this balancing act under the next EU presidency that takes office on January 2024. There are two reasons why I worry. One member of the Belgian Government that will ensure the EU presidency stated recently that Hamas cannot be considered terrorist, while two other Belgian ministers demand sanctions against Israel.

18

Oct

2023

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The despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, so many innocent people, including children, will never see the sun rise again because they were Jewish, in 2023. They were slaughtered by Hamas that a colleague MP of Ms Aubry called ‘a movement of resistance’ on French radio yesterday. Hamas is an Islamic terrorist organisation that still holds Israeli and foreign hostages today, in addition to the population of Gaza itself that it uses as a human shield against an Israeli military response. It is worse than Isis. And not so far from us. Again, another teacher was killed in France, again innocent citizens where shot in Brussels – in the name of Allah. And yet, we, as Europe, keep making the same mistakes. Dear colleagues, radical Islam is progressing because we are not recognising it as it is. I worry about the Jews. I worry about innocent Palestinians. I worry about Europe. I worry about our civilization and the loss of the feeling we all identify as safety. When in our European city’s demonstrators shout ‘death to Israel and death to Jews’ then it is no longer a demonstration but death threats – threats against Jews here and everywhere else, and against our Western civilization. The EU must fix its migration policy, control where its money goes, call radical Islam by its name, reject any infiltration. It must also realise that the people of Brussels do not need candles and commemorations. They need protection.

16

Oct

2023

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Order of business

Madam President, I’m very shocked by the intervention of my colleague. We all here stand for human rights, we stand for the fact that all humans are equal. I really don’t know where you have been staying in the past days, but maybe you were on the moon or anywhere else, but have you seen what happened in Israel? Have you seen that people went into houses to find human beings, to bring them outside, to kill or kidnap them or kill the babies just because they are Jews? Do you remember history? Do you remember what happened on European soil? Do you want anything like that to happen again? Did you see that a teacher was killed in France last Friday, that today marks three years from the assassination and beheading of Samuel Paty? Why don’t you speak up against the violation of our rights and our values in Europe? Have you seen the people also chanting in Rome, in London, in Paris, in Amsterdam, in Rotterdam, saying that we are the bad ones, saying that they are defending Palestinians, but in fact they are supporting the Islamic terror group Hamas? Did you see that? Why don’t you speak against that? You know, the Palestinians are the first victims of Hamas. Shame on you.

4

Oct

2023

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Need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package (debate)

Mr President, I had a friend who said that we should always ask ourselves the right questions. He himself always asked questions. He knew a lot, but he never knew enough. Life was a school, every conversation an opportunity to move forward. My question to colleagues here is: Why haven't we come closer to a solution in 20 years? A solution for dying at sea. A solution that gives the man on the street confidence in politics again. I am mainly hearing criticism here. Criticism of each other, criticism of Member States that would control the European external borders too hard, criticism of Member States that do not want to redistribute asylum seekers. But, ladies and gentlemen, you are skipping the most important step. That is to regain control of the illegal migration flows to Europe. And sometimes we have to dare to step over our own shadow. Thoughtful deals with neighbouring countries, countries of origin and countries that can help with the processing of asylum applications are needed. Strict control at the external borders is needed. First we have to get a grip on the influx and only then we can talk about processing and integration.

3

Oct

2023

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Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia (debate)

Mr President, will the EU become the servant of every dictator on this planet? We got stuck in the region. We have become the brunt of President Aliyev waving his gas in exchange for our principles. The EU ignored the signals that Azerbaijan wanted to take advantage of Russia’s weakened position in the region to bring Nagorno-Karabakh fully under its control. We did not take into account possible retaliation after the rapprochement between Armenia and the West. As a result, the humanitarian emergency created by the months-long blockade of the Laçın corridor was exacerbated by the 200 deaths and hundreds of victims of Azerbaijan's military attack on Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September and the exodus, and thus displacement, of the vast majority of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Now the end of Nagorno-Karabakh's self-government is in sight. As of 1 January 2024, this ethnic minority no longer has a home. Nagorno-Karabakh needs much more than humanitarian aid. Ethnic cleansing must stop. The rights of the remaining Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh must not be further violated. The Armenian-Christian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh must be protected. Above all, the EU must not fail a second time and must not ignore Azerbaijan's territorial claims to parts of the Armenian Republic itself. We must support Armenia's sovereignty.

14

Sep

2023

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Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup (debate)

Madam President, ‘No means no’, President von der Leyen said in her speech yesterday. Sadly, this basic principle is still something we need to fight for. I stand here today as a mother, as a woman, as a lawmaker working on the Directive on Combating Violence Against Women. I hope that together we bring closer the day that in our workplaces, streets and homes, nobody needs to be convinced that ‘no’ means just ‘no’. And the absence of ‘yes’ also means ‘no’. We all know that the first kissing is just the tip of the iceberg of what women endure every day in many places inside and outside the sports world, whether they are on top or at the bottom of the ladder. But laws alone are not going to solve this problem. We must all think about our daily habits. Men and women. Yes, men, women can be your boss and continue being who they are. Face it! No, women, it is not okay to play groupies and pick me games. Be allies. Who do you pick as allies? When do you look away? Only if we realise as lawmakers that this is bigger than the law will we be able to truly start changing something and making our kids proud.

12

Sep

2023

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Question Time (VPC/HR) - Situation in West and Central Africa in the light of the recent coups d’état

Mr President, I have two points for the High Representative. First, you said in the newspaper Le Monde in 2021 the following sentence in French about the Sahel: «Nous avons peut-être signé trop de chèques en blanc». This is very clear. You said it. So, do you remember what you said in Le Monde? Second point, we had a debate here ahead of the 2022 EU-Africa Summit. I said in this plenary that we need to stop the nanny diplomacy and, from my experience and from my view as a politician, I said what could be done. You actually, in your reply, made a joke about that, and I replied to you, I wrote an official letter to you, so please remember that as well. Now I’m asking you, what about the blank checks? Because I did not get an answer.

12

Sep

2023

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Question Time (VPC/HR) - Situation in West and Central Africa in the light of the recent coups d’état

Thank you very much for being here and being prepared to answer our questions. You know, all of us here know that first they will take Africa, who not only Russia, with their propaganda and disinformation, not only China with their modern economic imperialism, but also the jihadists right now with the carte blanche that they have to act to their own desires. We must wake up and understand that what is going on in the Sahel is an insidious poison for our economies, for our societies, and for the values that we have inherited from people who dared to be braver than us. What we do today will determine how the Sahel will evolve, but it will also determine what we will become as Europe. Now the Sahel is the epicentre of terrorism globally. So my question to you is how concretely are you going to change your policy? You said in the French newspaper Le Monde: «Nous avons signé beaucoup de chèques en blanc». Are you going to continue signing those checks, or will you follow my advice to you ahead of the EU-Africa Summit that we should leave the money at home and take strategy with us to go to the conversation about the EU-Africa future? This is my question to you: what will you do now ? So far I did not see any solution.

12

Sep

2023

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EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, panic football, amateurism, naivety: This is the only way to call the EU-Tunisia deal. ? No one is impressed by what the EU has done here. No one, and certainly not the smugglers or the Tunisian leader. Today we have the highest figures since 2016. Impact? Effect? The only effect is the explosive influx through Tunisia and the red cheeks of the EU. The migration crisis and the ingredients that make it possible were not so difficult to anticipate and deal with in a timely manner. But what have we done here? Political show and improvisation put above decisiveness. Our fate and that of the migrants put into the hands of a dictator with a huge blank cheque. I'm very disappointed. Like many of our citizens. Not everything is for sale. The EU needs to learn that. You can't sign a blank check for any problem you don't dare solve. You can't make a pact with the devil every time you're lazy and go back to sleep. Because now Europe has to dance with that devil. Do we want that? I'm not in.

12

Jul

2023

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The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, too many people will continue to die trying to reach Europe, because that is how our European asylum system works. Reaching the European mainland is a necessary condition for obtaining asylum. That's where the mistake is. Every death in the Mediterranean Sea is a victim of that system. When will we see that it doesn't work? Citizens have been tired of this for a long time and want to see decisiveness. And clear language. Rightly so. But that clear language is the problem. Anyone who has a different opinion on asylum and migration is morally demonized, even canceled, resulting in a one-sided left-wing debate full of taboos. Meanwhile, extreme parties continue to grow. They reap what Europe sows. What shocks me is the fact that we have so much power to change something, but don't dare. What we need to do is simple. It is obvious: Stop rewarding life-threatening boat trips with the prospect of a right of residence. I think we can achieve a more humane asylum and migration policy if we get a little more courageous.

14

Jun

2023

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Humanitarian situation in Sudan, in particular the death of children trapped by fighting

Madam President, raped, starved, barred from education, forced off the land during the planting season. Their future is stolen. Millions of Sudanese civilians, including their children, are internally displaced or are trapped in their homes, without food, medical care and other essential services, while humanitarian workers are unable to deliver them supplies. According to UNICEF, more than 13.6 million children in Sudan are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. We must step up cooperation with regional and international partners to ensure that a permanent ceasefire agreement is followed by credible political process in Sudan that respects people’s desire for democratic reform. The EU must provide support and humanitarian assistance to those impacted by the conflict, in particular women and children. We must make sure that all parties to the conflict allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and prioritise the protection of children. We must support efforts to establish an independent investigation and accountability mechanism, addressing all alleged human rights violations in Sudan since the coup of October 2021. The people and children of Sudan need our attention and action now.

14

Jun

2023

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Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware - Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (draft recommendation) (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, they say ‘dance like nobody is watching, but text and email like it will be displayed on Instagram someday’. Perhaps we should not only see this as a joke, it is serious. Today, not only Big Brother is watching you, but also Little Brother – to censor or to feed disinformation, to influence or to destroy. How can our democracy survive and human rights prevail if the press has lost freedom on the one hand and the critical reflex to question things on the other hand. ‘The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated Communist, but the people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true or false, no longer exist.’ Hannah Arendt wrote this, a long time ago. In modern Europe, I would call that the perfect recipe to kill a democracy from the inside. Big Brother is not what I worry the most about. French philosopher Raphaël Enthoven calls the new threat ‘Little Brother’. Little Brother is watching you, so literally anyone can. We can make laws to tackle official espionage. We cannot make laws to create respect in society. To do that, we need to have stronger minds.