Speeches

Today, the European Parliament voted on a framework for a European Digital Identity (eID). I voted against this report. While a European Digital Identity Wallet may seem easy at first glance, it has major drawbacks and uncertainties. The online use of a European digital identity document poses major challenges to the protection of user privacy. In addition, I have great concerns about the application possibilities of the eID, especially when it comes to processing sensitive data such as that of online payments. Where does this stop, I wonder. For example, can one in the future only pay with a digital euro with the digital wallet? The European Commission has alluded to this. This would lead to mass surveillance that I am not waiting for. I am therefore absolutely not convinced that the eID is safe and ethical in practice. The Dutch citizen is not waiting for a European digital wallet, because a well-functioning DigiD system already exists in the Netherlands. As far as I am concerned, the eID is therefore undesirable.

Mr President, the Commission has recently decided to open up the European Social Fund to the reimbursement of abortions. A fund intended for poverty reduction is thus used for the killing of unborn children. gripping, but also very questionable. After all, the Commission cannot simply stretch the frameworks of a fund on its own. Moreover, the EU has no competence at all in this type of medical-ethical issues. I therefore ask you to call the Commission to order. If the Commission does something that it does not have the power to do, we must not let this pass as a Parliament. Otherwise, it's the dam fence. Yes, unintentionally pregnant women can end up in very difficult situations, I know. However, let's focus on providing real help instead of using a fund in an improper way for things it's not meant for.

Mr President, you are bringing the joyful message of the Gospel, the message of peace and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Then you are considered a danger to the state and you do not enter the country anymore. That is the harsh reality for many missionaries who have Turkey as their field of work. Similarly for the American-Dutch preacher James Bultema, who left for Turkey in 1990, founded a church there, but was expelled from the country last year without mercy. Such bad practices must not go unnoticed, especially now that the EU is re-establishing ties with Turkey. Our resolution is crystal clear on this. We expect the Turkish government to stop obstructing churches. If Turkey is to renew the customs union, it will at least have to show that it takes religious freedom seriously and wants to give space for the proclamation of the biblical message.

Like you, I see the need and the desirability of a trade agreement with India. At the same time, we also know that there are concerns about human rights in India. I am thinking, for example, of the position of religious minorities and Christians and the fact that there are anti-conversion laws in India. My question to you is: Do you agree with me that we should use this agreement to also demand firm guarantees from India, for example that the country will better protect Christians?

Mr President, the human rights situation in the world is crying. I think we'll soon agree on that tonight. But the question is: What can we do about it? Military intervention, as Trump recently did in Nigeria, is not really obvious. But what is? I have three concrete recommendations for the Commission and for the High Representative: 1. Be more assertive in trade agreements. For example, in the case of India, do not settle for a non-committal human rights dialogue, but demand firm guarantees about repealing anti-conversion laws and addressing Hindu extremists; 2. also bring more focus into the policy. Stop promoting abortion. This is not a human right at all. Focus on violations of real human rights. Think about Christian persecution. Finally, appoint the EU Envoy for Freedom of Religion; 3. also look at human rights violations in Europe. Exploitation in prostitution, for example. We really need to tackle human trafficking much harder.

Mr President, kidnapped by heavily armed groups. Untraceable. It'll just be your kid. This is not an incident, but the daily reality in Nigeria. The attack on the Christian St Mary school symbolizes the structural violence that plagues northern and central Nigeria. Christian schools and communities are repeatedly targeted by kidnappings and attacks by armed groups. That some of the children have been released is good news, but there are still a lot of questions. Why have no arrests been made yet and why have the affected communities been informed so late? Mr President, let us put maximum pressure on the Nigerian authorities to stop the violence. And I ask the Commissioner: Do you see opportunities, for example, for diplomatic sanctions against negligent drivers? And let us face the fact that we are dealing with terrorist Islamic violence against Christians. And finally, after 13 months, let us appoint that EU envoy for religious freedom. Commission, what are you waiting for?