Speeches

The next item is the debate on five motions for resolutions on the murder of Georgian national Tamaz Ginturi by Russian occupation forces in Georgia (2023/2981(RSP))1. _______ 1 See Minutes of the meeting.

The next item is the debate on six motions for resolutions on the unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger (2023/2980(RSP))1. _______ 1 See Minutes of the meeting.

The next item is the debate on six motions for resolutions on recent attacks against women and women’s rights defenders and the arbitrary detention of European citizens in Iran (2023/2979(RSP))1. _______ 1 See Minutes of the meeting.

I have received one motion for a resolution tabled in accordance with Rule 136(1). 5 of the Rules1. I'm closing the debate. The vote will take place on Thursday 23 November 2023. ____________ 1 See Minutes of the meeting. Written declarations (Rule 171)

The next item is the debate on: – Question for oral answer to the Council by Alexander Bernhuber, Milan Brglez, Martin Hojsík, Michèle Rivasi, Anja Hazekamp, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the revision of the Pollinators Initiative – A New Deal for Pollinators (O-000050/2023 - B9-0032/23) (2023/2720(RSP)) and – Oral question to the Commission by Alexander Bernhuber, Milan Brglez, Martin Hojsík, Michèle Rivasi, Anja Hazekamp, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the revision of the Pollinators Initiative – A New Deal for Pollinators (O-000051/2023 - B9-0033/23) (2023/2720(RSP)).

I have received two motions for resolutions tabled in accordance with Rule 132(1). 2 of the Rules1. I'm closing the debate. The vote will take place on Thursday 23 November 2023. ____________ 1 See Minutes of the meeting. Written declarations (Rule 171)

Madam President, I'm sorry. Parliament deals with many topics in the area of children's rights on a daily basis, as the European Child Guarantee discussed today. Looking at today's world, we have to be clear: it's still not enough. Armed conflict, poverty, climate change, violence against children both in the real world and online, lack of access to education, health care, to the psychological and social support needed in the crises of recent years. All of this shapes and influences future generations, which means that it also determines the future of all of us. Today I would like to stress strongly: Children in Ukraine, children in Gaza and Israel, in Sudan and wherever adults wage wars, have the same right to live, to grow up and grow in security, love and respect. This right is universal, inalienable and does not depend on which country and on which side of the wall the child was born. Finally, let me say something obvious: All children are ours and deserve the best. And here in the European Parliament, let us take this maxim for granted and set an example.

The next item is the report by Clara Aguilera, on behalf of the Committee on Fisheries, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and amending Council Regulations (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1005/2008 and Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards fisheries control (COM(2018)0368 - C8-0238/2018 - 2018/0193(COD)) (A9-0016/2021).

Madam President, I'm sorry. For our youngest generation, the internet is part of reality, and being online is just as natural as brushing your teeth or going to school every day. From an early age, we teach our children what is good and what is bad. We teach the principles of functioning in society and we should teach them how to use the opportunities offered by the virtual world in a safe way. What's the point? That's why they need to be able to recognize the threat. In order to be able to treat other network users with respect and not be afraid to ask for help when something disturbing happens. Cyberbullying is affecting younger children. In a study conducted in my country in 2020, every third child of early school age experienced hate and received offensive messages. Every fifth teenager was humiliated or ridiculed online, every tenth was unfortunately blackmailed, and a large group of young people admitted to distributing content compromising colleagues. And we know very well that peer cyberviolence leads to depressive states, low self-esteem, withdrawal, and in extreme cases to mutilation and suicide attempts. That is why we need extensive digital education and effective prevention programmes. We also need to ensure accessible psychological support programmes for children who experience online violence. Without such comprehensive action, it will be increasingly difficult for us to protect children from harmful content, hate, violence and exploitation. We adults should be vigilant and sensitive to changes in our children's behavior. Let's ask, listen and help. Thank you, Commissioner, for the BIK+ strategy that has been prepared by the Commission. I know how much you're personally involved in this, and thank you again.

I have received one motion for a resolution tabled in accordance with Rule 128(2). 1 of the Rules. I'm closing the debate. The vote will take place on Thursday 15 June 2023.

The next item is the debate on the question for oral answer to the Commission by Adrián Vázquez Lázara, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the accession of Ukraine to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (O-000024/2023 – B9-0025/23) (2023/2689(RSP)).

Short message: the S&D Group informed the Chair of the decision on changes to the appointments to committees. This decision will be presented in the minutes of today's meeting and will enter into force on the day of this announcement.

The next item is the debate on four motions for resolutions on the deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, in particular the case of Jimmy Lai (2023/2737(RSP))1. _______________ 1 See Minutes of the meeting.

The next item is the debate on five motions for resolutions on the humanitarian situation in Sudan, in particular the deaths of children caught in the fire (2023/2736(RSP))1. _______________ 1 See Minutes of the meeting.

I'm closing the debate. The vote will take place on Thursday 15 June 2023. Written declarations (Rule 171) – Torture, violent interrogations, harassment, kidnappings – this is how representatives of the Russian investigative services in occupied Berdansk have tried since September last year to force confessions on Tihran and Mykyt, two teenage Ukrainian boys. Accused by the aggressors of attempted sabotage, they and their families were subjected to constant pressure and persecution to plead guilty. Are there any borders and rules of the civilized world that the Russian authorities have not crossed in their actions against Ukrainian children? For more than a year and a half, Ukrainian children have been killed by Russian soldiers, victims of violent crimes, and transported by thousands to Russia and Belarus. Are there any other crimes that the Russian aggressor did not commit against Ukrainian children? Cases such as Tihrana and Mykyta give face to the thousands of children and young people destroyed by the Russians, whom perhaps the world will never hear of or forget in the plethora of crimes committed by the aggressor. Today, we call on the Russian authorities to immediately dismiss all charges against these two boys and stop these worst inhumane practices against children in Ukraine. And let's stress it again: We will stand up for every Ukrainian child harmed by the Russian aggressor and we will not rest until all those responsible for the crimes are brought to justice.

The next item is the debate on five motions for resolutions on the torture and prosecution by the Russian Federation of Ukrainian teenagers Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Chanhanova (2023/2735(RSP))1. _______________ 1 See Minutes of the meeting.

Before giving the floor to the Minister, who will speak on behalf of the Council, I would like to point out that this is the last speech of the Swedish Presidency and I would like to thank the Minister for her work over the last 6 months.