Speeches

The next item is the debate on: – Question for oral answer to the Council by Juan Fernando López Aguilar, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, on the extension of the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office as regards the offence of violation of Union restrictive measures (O-000022/2023 – B9-0023/23) (2023/2671(RSP)), – Question for oral answer to the Commission by Juan Fernando López Aguilar, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, on the extension of the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office as regards the offence of violation of Union restrictive measures (O-000023/2023 – B9-0024/23) (2023/2671(RSP)).

Madam President, I'm sorry. I would particularly like to thank Mr Šimečka for this very thorough and comprehensive presentation of the report. Let me add a few more remarks. Our habits are changing and our sensitivities are evolving. Moreover, the tools used by oppressors to harass and violate dignity are also changing. The statistics are terrifying. One in two women in Europe has been the victim of some form of harassment, and one of the main causes of youth suicide attempts is hate and harassment on social media. As the European Parliament, we have a duty to address the risks affecting such a large group, first of all our voters, and those for whom the European Parliament is a workplace, first of all women, but not only. Harassment is a form of violence and violation of dignity with many faces. One thing is clear, we must be a model for the European Parliament, both in terms of our knowledge, preparation and efficiency of procedures. Ladies and Gentlemen, Harassment is an attack on human dignity. Harassment can disturb the victim's sense of security for years to come. Allow me to recommend the adoption of this report, but not only. I also ask for a serious reflection on how each of us can oppose this phenomenon.

The next item is the report by Bilja Borzan, on behalf of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU as regards empowering consumers for the green transition through better information and protection against unfair practices (COM(2022)0143 - C9-0128/2022 - 2022/0092(COD)) (A9-0099/2023).

The next item is the report by Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the 2022 Commission Report on Kosovo (2022/2201(INI)) (A9-0174/2023).

Madam President, I'm sorry. The experience of violence is the experience of millions of women. Nothing is more harmful, even in the perspective of educating the next generations, than the violence taking place at home. Nothing destroys families like domestic violence. Accepting violence at home in any form is the first step towards recognizing violence as justified in social life and then in international relations. We need to talk about it because domestic violence is the mother of other types of violence, including war. Let me remind you that in Putin's Russia the law has been modified in such a way that domestic violence can be reported only when it is repeated many times. Simply put, the first beating of a partner is legally permissible. It's disgusting and soulless. Europe must go its own way. That is why I am addressing all the opponents of the Convention – the Convention is needed, it is needed as a signpost, it is needed as a clear commitment. European culture is built on the imperative of defending the weaker. Therefore, no perpetrator of violence should go unpunished and no victim should feel abandoned. I am convinced that the incorporation of the Istanbul Convention into the European legal system is not only justified, it is necessary to leave behind us a better world than the one we found.

The next item is the annual report by Anne-Sophie Pelletier, on behalf of the Committee on Petitions, on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2021 (2022/2141(INI)) (A9-0054/2023).

The next item is the report by Ciarán Cuffe, on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast) (COM(2021)0802 - C9-0469/2021 - 2021/0426(COD)) (A9-0033/2023).

We continue our debate on the interim report by Łukasz Kohut and Arba Kokalari, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (2016/0062R(NLE)) (A9-0021/2023).

The next item is the interim report by Łukasz Kohut and Arba Kokalari, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (2016/0062R(NLE)) (A9-0021/2023).

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 10 a.m. 9.00. The agenda has been published and is available on the website of the European Parliament.

I have a message for you. As we have a very long delay and one more item on the agenda, I am now closing the list of entries under the catch the eye procedure.

The next item is the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: ‘Road to 2023’ - Towards a stronger EU-Latin America partnership (2023/2512(RSP)).

The next item is the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU response to protests and executions in Iran (2023/2511(RSP)).