Protecting the system of international justice and its institutions, in particular the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice (debate)
I remind you that you are also bound by the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament – Rule 10(3). Therefore, for the future, all kinds of banners, inscriptions, as currently on your T-shirt, are unacceptable.
Protecting the system of international justice and its institutions, in particular the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice (debate)
The next item is the debate on the statement by the Council and the Commission on the protection of international justice and its institutions, in particular the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice (2025/2555(RSP)).
The next sitting will be tomorrow, Thursday 23 January 2025, beginning at 10 a.m. 9.00. The agenda has been published. It is available on the website of the European Parliament.
Stepping up international action to protect whales following Iceland’s decision to extend commercial whaling until 2029 (debate)
Mr. Speaker, please put on the phone. Are you on the point of protecting whales, or do you want to talk about democracy on that point today? Because if you want to talk about democracy, that's not the point on the agenda. Then talk about it.
Stepping up international action to protect whales following Iceland’s decision to extend commercial whaling until 2029 (debate)
The next item is the Commission statement on stepping up international efforts to protect whales following Iceland's decision to extend commercial whaling until 2029 (2025/2513(RSP)).
Systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages
The next item is the debate on seven motions for resolutions on the systematic violation of human rights in Iran, in particular the cases of Pakshan Azizi and Vrisza Moradi and the hostage-taking of European Union citizens (2025/2511(RSP)).
The next item is the report by Andrzej Buła and Younous Omarjee, on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Regional Development, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on RESTORE – regional emergency recovery support, amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 (COM(2024)0496 - C10-0147/2024 - 2024/0275(COD)) (A10-0031/2024).
Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2023 (debate)
The next item is the report by Alex Agius Saliba, on behalf of the Committee on Petitions, on the activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2023 (2024/2056(INI))
Strengthening children’s rights in the EU - 35th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, 35 years ago, a new era of children's rights began in the world. The UN Convention is more than a set of rules. It's a promise. The promise we adults have made to children around the world that their rights will be protected, their voices heard and their needs taken with the utmost seriousness. In launching this debate as the European Parliament's Coordinator on Children's Rights, I wanted it not only to be an occasion for symbolic celebration, but a reason for deep reflection on children and their rights. Let us remember – pride in achievements should never overshadow what remains to be done. Too many children still live in the shadow of war, violence, hunger and poverty. We should not accept a world in which children are victims of wars they do not cause, conflicts they do not understand, decisions they do not make. We have seen children fleeing bombs in Ukraine, starving in Africa, drowning in the Mediterranean, and, perhaps above all, the problems of children in our own communities who experience domestic violence, poverty or lack of psychological support. Unfortunately, they all pay the price of adult decisions. It is therefore essential to implement the Convention fully – without exceptions or compromises – in each country. Protecting children from exploitation both in the real world and online. Fighting poverty. Creating a space where children are treated as rights holders, with the voice we want and need to hear. I call for all of us – politicians, social organisations, international institutions – to be involved in creating a world where every child has the chance to live a safe, healthy and happy life. Children don't need big statements from us. They need our action. Ladies and Gentlemen, Let us go down in history as those who protected our youngest citizens not by words but by deeds.
Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland's abortion law (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. Polish women are proud, conscious and courageous women who know their rights well. Politicians who thought that the ban on abortion would shut their mouths showed not only naivety, but also something much more dangerous – a lack of trust in their own citizens. By choosing the right of Poles to decide for themselves, they also deprived them of their subjectivity. Laws restricting or criminalizing abortion do not eliminate it, they do not make it suddenly disappear. On the contrary, it escapes only from the radar of the health service. Where to? We all know exactly: underground, abroad. Unfortunately, the judgment of the discredited Constitutional Tribunal, which is detrimental to women, pushed Poland to the group of countries with the most restrictive abortion law. It is time for us to give the Poles what has been taken away from them - the opportunity to decide for ourselves. A woman does not need permission or political consent to know what is best for her, what is best for her health, life and future. It should have the right to the final decision, and the role of the state is to ensure that it can make its choice without fear and unnecessary obstacles. Our current government – the most pro-woman government in years – is working to create a support system that includes not only legal abortion in justified cases, but also widely available psychological, medical and social support for every woman. Finally, to all those who have doubts about which side to take, I will say one thing: Don't compute, don't calculate, have the courage to stand on the right side.
Implementation of the Single European Sky (recast) (debate)
The next item is the debate on the recommendation for second reading on behalf of the Committee on Transport and Tourism on the implementation of the Single European Sky (recast) (08311/1/2024 - C10-0114/2024 - 2013/0186(COD)) (rapporteurs: Jens Gieseke and Johan Danielsson) (A10-0010/2024).
