14
Feb
2023
Watch
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: EU accession (continuation of debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Thank you for a very good debate. The Istanbul Convention is also a choice of civilization. Governments blocking decisions in the Council must answer the question, where is it closer to them? Whether to the murderers from Turkey, who recently denounced the convention, or to Ukraine, which is being shelled, it has signed this anti-violence law. Joy of Courage! Democratic leaders must not be held hostage by populists who are loud but in the minority. It is time to ratify the Istanbul Convention. When Member States fail, the Union must act, the Union must protect its citizens. Mrs Kempa, these tools that you mentioned are thanks to the Istanbul Convention. Learn, not rely on Kremlin propaganda from Ordo Iuris. I would like to thank Arba Kokalari and all the rapporteurs, as well as the advisors, for their constructive and hard work. We have proven that women's rights can be beyond the political dispute of democratic parties in Europe. History is happening before our eyes. At the same time, I would like to dedicate this moment in history, this report, to all those who have fought so bravely for women's rights and democracy in Poland for eight years. It is a great pride to represent you here. Thank you also to the two women who are no longer there: my mother Grażyna and my grandmother Irena, without whom I would never have been here. And they two, Silesian strongwomen, with their whole life proved that a woman can very, very much. And despite the hard experience, it can reach its peak.