Speeches

Madam President, Haiti is in a state of serious emergency. Insecurity is a scourge spread throughout the country, at all levels of society. No one is safe from violence, precariousness or political and institutional instability. This has led to the exodus of more than two million Haitians, that is, more than 15% of their population, who have had to leave their country to carve out a future in countries such as the United States, the Dominican Republic or Chile. It is unacceptable that the country is dominated by armed gangs, gang members who have no respect for human life, who currently control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince, their capital. The corruption that floods public institutions and the deprivation of social and political rights of all Haitians, who have not gone to the polls to elect their representatives since the 2016 elections, are inadmissible. That year there was a turnout of only 20% of its registered inhabitants, which suggests that there is a lack of public trust in its institutions. Moreover, its National Assembly has been empty since 2023. We in the European Parliament urgently call on the Transitional Presidential Council to restore order and appoint an interim president who can lead the country to a democratic electoral process through which Haitians can elect their representatives.

Mr President, Commissioner, the Nicolás Maduro regime, not content with more than 300 political prisoners being unlawfully imprisoned and using enforced disappearance as a means of depriving them of their liberty, kidnapped the Spanish human rights defender Rocío San Miguel on 9 February. Let us also remember General Héctor Hernández Da Costa, who has been imprisoned since 2018 and has now been transferred during the month of February to the prison of El Rodeo I, a prison highlighted for its cruelties and overcrowding. Let us remember that, in addition to several activists linked to María Corina Machado, a candidate to defeat Maduro in the presidential elections, other opposition leaders have also been recently arrested and incommunicado. We seriously ask: Are we prepared to legitimise an illiterate election by means of an election observation mission? How long are we going to tolerate a corrupt regime that threatens the European Union by making shenanigans with the Government of Spain, skipping lightly all the sanctions imposed by the Union?

Mr President, Commissioner, tomorrow we will vote on the agreement reached in the framework of the trilogue on the Directive defining criminal offences and penalties for infringements of EU restrictive measures. I begin by thanking the rapporteur, Mrs in't Veld, for the cooperation we have had in preparing this report and for ensuring that the interests of the EPP Group are represented. This proposed directive obliges Member States to implement the sanctions applied by the European Union against people who undermine democracy and the rule of law in their countries of origin. The proposed Directive provides legal clarity by defining these restrictive measures, describes criminal offences for infringement or circumvention and harmonises penalties or sanctions for natural and legal persons who commit offences. The importance of this directive is unfortunately due to the terrible war unfolding in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the 13 packages of sanctions that the EU has imposed against Russia. Member States need to swiftly abide by and implement sanctions so that Europe does not become the backdoor through which Russian oligarchs operate to advance their interests. Recall a serious event related to the circumvention of sanctions that happened in Spain on January 20, 2020 and went completely unpunished. The then socialist minister, José Luis Ábalos, met with the vice president of the Maduro regime, Delcy Rodríguez, at Madrid airport, thus violating the prohibition of entry or transit through European territory of a sanctioned one. And he even received forty suitcases of the aforementioned that did not go through the security control, questioning whether the prohibition of mobilization of assets was violated, since the contents of those suitcases are unknown until today. This offence would be punishable by law very soon: as soon as this Directive enters into force.

Madam President, in view of the passivity of the European External Action Service, we note that, despite the time that has elapsed since the entry into force of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, the situation in terms of democracy, freedoms and human rights in Cuba has worsened. Respect for human rights should be monitored under the agreement, but the Cuban regime has ignored this obligation. Systemic violations against dissidents perpetrated by the regime should not be ignored. We denounce the exclusion of Cuban independent civil society in bilateral meetings under the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, as well as European civil society organizations that have been deprived of participation in these meetings at the will of the regime. We urge the Cuban regime to allow access to European delegations and human rights organizations to monitor trials against dissidents and visit their prisons. Half a century ago, the leader of the Revolution demanded that Cubans not ask what Cuba could do for them, but what they could do for Cuba. Today I remember these words that seem forgotten by the leaders of the regime. Europe cannot do for Cuba what Cubans cannot do for them, but we must accompany those who struggle to do so.

Madam President, the violation of human rights in the world is alarming. The 2023 Democracy Index produced by highlights its decline since 2006. This report highlights that only 8% of the world's population lives in full democracies. Fifty-nine countries with nearly 40% of the world's population live under autocracies that curtail human rights and freedoms. The decline in respect for human rights accompanies the rise of global and internal conflicts. We point to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine. Both have in common the impact on the civilian population, especially on women, the elderly and children. Particularly about the latter, who see their future completely destroyed and without opportunities in these traumatic circumstances. I conclude by referring to a region of outstanding importance to me: Latin America. This region has seen its democratic indices dramatically eroded over the past 30 years with an increase in autocracies reflected in the destruction of citizens' constitutional guarantees, the disappearance of the rule of law and the extinction of the independence of the judiciary. This social situation has led them to this region, which was previously one of the most prosperous in the world, to exorbitant levels of poverty, hunger and migration of their populations. From the European Parliament, we will continue to monitor these situations with the annual reports on human rights and democracy in the world only to respond to these events with policies that are up to these challenges. I hope we can make it.

Mr President, Commissioner, the security crisis that has erupted in Ecuador has spread terror among the civilian population and threatened its democratic stability. Corruption in institutions is the main ally of organized crime, which needs impunity to consolidate itself, a methodology used by the members of the São Paulo Forum and the Puebla Group and implemented in that country by Rafael Correa. They are precursors of practices that settle organized gangs in prisons, which they use as barracks for their criminal businesses. It is necessary to guarantee Ecuadorian citizens that their prisons are a system to reform people who have been involved in illicit activities and transform them into useful citizens, not that prisons are schools for crime. Therefore, from the European institutions we must continue to cooperate with Ecuador as a key partner in the region in terms of security, and with its President Daniel Noboa in the fight against organized crime and international drug trafficking.

Mr President, the Maduro regime has failed to honour the commitments made in Barbados. He betrayed what had been agreed and increased his repression. Inconceivably, we do not understand the intention of Spain's foreign minister to call for a lifting of European sanctions. The regime's new persecution calls for greater support for Venezuelan democracy. The presidential elections should be held next year in accordance with the High Representative's statement. Maduro cannot choose his rival. This is a right expressed by Venezuelans in the process of primaries that today the Supreme Court of the regime intends to ignore. Europe has a commitment to the political prisoners of the dictatorship. It is worth noting the onslaught with the arrest of Roberto Abdul and the issuance of arrest warrants to prominent opposition leaders, especially those of María Corina Machado's team. Faced with this deception, the EU ratified its sanctions. We will maintain this position until the regime respects its commitments.

Mr President, it is with great regret that we are debating the latest developments in Guatemala. I say with great regret, because I regret what is happening in this country, which has been a traditional partner of the European Union, one of the few democratic beacons in the region and with a freedom-loving people, for whom the violence of intemperance and authoritarianism has suffered years ago. First of all, I would like to stress that the elections that took place in the country were verifiable and transparent, as confirmed by the European Election Observation Mission, with a strong electoral result, which gave the candidate Bernardo Arévalo a 60% victory. Likewise, it was verified by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the only authority to define the validity of the electoral process and the confirmation of Arévalo as president-elect. It is unacceptable that the Public Prosecutor's Office, commonly known as the Public Prosecutor's Office, which is an auxiliary body to the Justice, seeks to invalidate what has been decided by the competent authorities and the sovereign will of its people. The claim to distort the judicial system and commit an aberration to the democratic process in this country is inadmissible. High Representative, we need your position to be firm, as Luis Almagro has already done in the OAS, so that Europe respects the sovereign will of the Guatemalan people.

Madam President, this report comes at a crucial moment. 80% of the world's population lives under authoritarian regimes that perpetuate themselves using electoral tools that mimic those employed by democracies to impose their authority. They tamed elections in such a way that their results flouted the authority of the people and endorsed their power illegitimately. The European Union has electoral verification tools: election observation missions, the key objective of which is to deter fraud, provide an informed assessment of the process and strengthen confidence in these elections. The Union's responsibility for these missions is outstanding. It has to be careful in selecting where to observe so that it cannot be labeled an accomplice and so as not to be seen as a legitimizing force that supports the results of undemocratic elections. In order to maintain coherence in foreign policy, we must make an assessment of our relations with these countries, following up on the observations contained in the evaluations of their electoral processes and, if necessary, using the EU Magnitsky Act against those responsible for undermining human rights and democracy. I call for next week's Foreign Affairs Council to reject Spain's Foreign Minister's request and continue to impose one-man sanctions on officials of the Venezuelan regime, who have undermined democracy and the rule of law in that country with the elections.

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, the EPP Group is deeply worried about the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu in Azerbaijan. He has dedicated his life on researching public financial management, good governance and budget transparency. But today, Dr Gubad is not free to continue his work. He sits unjustly behind bars, detained for discovering irregularities and corruption within Azerbaijan’s state institutions. The circumstances surrounding his detention call for impartial investigation to ensure the protection of his due process rights. His courageous stance against corruption and lack of transparency has come to a tremendous personal cost. Dr Gubad’s health is deteriorating rapidly during his unjust imprisonment. It is our moral obligation to help Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, and we urge the Azerbaijani authorities to release him immediately and to ensure that he receives the essential medical care he urgently needs.

Madam President, I wish to begin my speech by expressing my sincere congratulations to the Guatemalan citizens for their massive participation and for having made their voices heard in the electoral process, which was carried out with great success. I highlight the pivotal role of the more than 120,000 volunteer citizens who joined the counting of votes at the time of the recount. My thanks also go to the many government officials who have worked to ensure that these elections were conducted smoothly and smoothly. The European Union, invited by the Guatemalan authorities to monitor the electoral process as an electoral observer, together with a European Parliament mission, can attest to my words. However, those of us who participate in missions have an obligation to raise our voices of protest against attempts to violate a legitimate, verifiable and transparent process, as stated in the reports submitted. The only institution constitutionally recognized and with Guatemalan authority over the electoral process is the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which today is seeing its jurisdiction violated by the Public Ministry. We recognize the words of the outgoing president, Giammattei, committing to a planned transition under the law, to collaborate in the process and hand over power on schedule. We hope so. I regret that the opposition candidate who did not win at the polls did not recognize the resounding victory of the president-elect, Bernardo Arévalo. I also join the concern expressed by the mission of the Organization of American States at the seriousness of the illegitimate raids that have taken place in recent hours by the Public Ministry to the offices of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, violating the integrity of the electoral material and its chain of custody. Finally, I would like to stress my desire not to interrupt the democratic course in Guatemala, achieved after so many sacrifices, overcoming the violence and internal clashes that ended with the peace agreement in 1996 and ended 36 years of suffering and 200,000 deaths. Peace, justice and human rights are essential for dignity and progress in Guatemala.

Mr. President, Mr. High Representative, CELAC is the regional forum that brings together thirty-three Latin American countries in order to try to represent the varied interests of that region. This is a quasi-impossible task, for this conglomerate is distinctly heterogeneous. There different forms of government meet, ranging from consolidated democracies to the cruelest autocracies. With the pain of an Ibero-American I recognize that the only thing they have in common is what is curiously fractured in Spain today: their language, Spanish. This is very sad. The fact that eight years have passed since the last summits of the European Union and CELAC shows the lack of interest and neglect towards this reliable potential partner. Today, in view of the shortcomings experienced by Europe as a result of the unjustified invasion of Ukraine, which, incidentally, was not condemned by CELAC, it is very necessary to have this supplier of energy sources, strategic raw materials and especially food for Europe in the future. This is a very crucial moment to ratify the bilateral agreements with Chile, conclude the agreement with Mexico and, in particular, sign, after twenty years of negotiations, the agreement with Mercosur. I hope that, under the Spanish Presidency of the Council, this will be achieved by Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, according to the Andrés Bello University in Caracas, 86% of the Venezuelan population wants a change of government. That people has been depraved of their dignity, of their well-being, and they are without a future because of the regime of the opprobrium Maduro. The legitimate opposition wants to solve this situation through democratic mechanisms: holding presidential elections. But Maduro prevents the free choice of the opposition candidate, knowing that he will be a winner in the electoral process. His regime used a contrived abducted judiciary to disable opposition political leaders without trials, hearings and appeals. We ask, once again, the High Representative to express a resounding rejection of the regime and to demand at the summit of the European Union and CELAC a respect for democracy in that country.

Madam President, as shadow rapporteur for the EPP Group on the report on the proposal for a directive defining criminal offences and penalties for infringements of Union restrictive measures, I welcome this question on the extension of the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. EU restrictive measures imposed on human rights violators and those undermining democracy in their countries are a fundamental tool of EU foreign and security policy to punish criminals. However, it is up to the Member States to impose and ensure that these penalties are complied with. From the European Parliament, we find regrettable the unwillingness of some to implement them. The extension of the competences of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to the new crime covered by this Directive, that of the violation of restrictive measures in the Union, is a good proposal due to the transnational nature of these crimes, as it would lead to a significant improvement in the prosecution and effective application of criminal sanctions to criminals. Finally, I also end up asking for a lot of caution. We do not want to overburden an institution that has just become operational and does not yet have the full participation of the 27 Member States. We're asking for it.

Madam President, Mr High Representative, in Cuba, for seventy years, the norm has been the constant violation of human rights. Today there are more than a thousand political prisoners on that island, who are just for having manifested themselves with annoying ideals to the regime. It is surprising that the recent official visit of our High Representative to Cuba was justified with the aim of bringing that regime closer to the EU-CELAC summit. In the communications issued by the European External Action Service, only the meetings with the regime and related companies are highlighted, thus pretending to give an image of normality and ignoring any public meeting with relatives of political prisoners or visits to prisons to certify the well-being of some prisoner. Interestingly, we recall Mr Borrell's words precisely when he asked not to forget those who did not express their alliance with the European Union with regard to the unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine. He seems to have ignored demonstrations of support for Mr Putin in Havana. We must ensure respect for human rights in the world. They are the fundamental pillars of the European Union and, as such, it is the agreement in all our treaties. There are sufficient reasons to review the European Union's policy towards Cuba and suspend the political dialogue agreement on that island. Also to invite CELAC to doubt whether the island should be invited to that summit in Europe.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, surprisingly, for the fourth time in this parliamentary term we are debating in the plenary session of the European Parliament the abominable situation of human rights violations in Nicaragua. The Ortega Murillo regime continues to exercise systematic and institutionalized repression for the sole purpose of staying in power. They have forced the forced banishment and stripped of nationality those who express opinions contrary to, among them, politicians, journalists and religious. In addition, the persecution suffered by the media, the more than a thousand NGOs that have been arbitrarily suppressed and the constant attacks on the Catholic Church have confirmed the rogue dictatorship in the eyes of the world. That is why we condemn the Ortega Murillo regime and demand that the European Union apply the democratic clause of the agreement with Central America. Finally, I warn that the invitation of these allies of Putin to the summit of the European Union with CELAC, organized in Brussels under the Spanish Presidency of the Council, will be an insult to any European who values freedom and democracy, which are privileges that can not be used by the citizens of Nicaragua, but those of Europe.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, democracy is based on two fundamental pillars: respect for the law and the social contract of citizens, i.e. their Constitution. Without a well-respected constitution, there can be no democracy. In Peru, during this process to which we are referring today, respect for it has been permanent. On the contrary, former President Castillo maneuvered to try to violate it and reverse the constitutional issue. And it is curious that those who supported this violation are the ones who today lead the savage demonstrations that have caused this country to sink into a spiral of violence. We deeply condemn this scourge and call on the public forces to act proportionately and respect citizens' rights. I call on your judicial authorities to work to fairly compensate all victims. Our obligation is to show our full support and support for the constitutional process that is taking place in Peru, which must culminate in an electoral event as soon as possible and elect legitimate authorities that can lead the country along a path of peace, prosperity and dignity. I thank you for your words and congratulate you, High Representative. However, I ask you, Mr Borrell, that you and Europe take an active position in supporting this process, as the International Commission on Human Rights is doing.

Madam President, I would clearly like to congratulate the High Representative on the renewed commitment with which the European Commission has returned the Latin American region to its priorities. We recognize this commitment from the beginning of his mandate to achieve this goal. As Mr Borrell said, Latin America is much more than an economic and trade partner. There is no region in the world with which the Union shares so much culturally or historically. We must not forget the legacy for the Americas on the part of the Old Continent, whose values of democracy and human rights are the fundamental pillars of our Union. That is why at the next summit of the European Union and CELAC, scheduled for this year, we call for a redoubled commitment to this region, where social inequalities are a breeding ground for the increase of populisms and autocracies, and to be able to contribute to stability on the basis of respect, freedom, dignity and the rule of law. That is why we offer you our full support to achieve this.

Mr President, it is worrying that, according to various measures of democracy, there has been a general decline in democracy in recent years. Less than half of the world's population lives in democracy. The region that has suffered the most from this setback has been Latin America. This is due to the rise of anti-liberal populism, which in many cases has reached power legitimately and subsequently transitions to its autocratic permanence, ending respect for human rights and the rule of law. Brazil has seen its democracy falter in recent days. Peru too, for different reasons. In Bolivia, the government is taking a repressive turn, as is the dictatorial triangle formed by Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Countries, these, allies of Putin, that endorse Russia's unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine and that the European Union should not forget when establishing relations with these countries. What does the Commission intend to do to address this reality?

Madam President, tomorrow, 15 September, is a symbolic day for Nicaragua: celebrates its national day at a time when carrying its flag is a crime and those who raise it are persecuted. The Ortega y Murillo regime never tires of harassing, torturing, exiling and imprisoning the opposition, human rights defenders, journalists, students, businessmen ... Now it has become vicious against the Catholic faith by instituting a State policy of repression against it. Yesterday, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the violations in Nicaragua; today this Parliament demands the release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez and all unjustly imprisoned political prisoners; The best celebration of the national day will occur in Nicaragua when that country is free from tyranny and no one is forced to leave their homeland by infamous dictators.

Madam President, the rule of law is fundamentally based on the separation of state powers, something absolutely denied in Nicaragua. Ortega has subverted the constitutional order to use his judiciary as a repressive weapon against those who express disagreement with his regime. Today there are hundreds of political prisoners in that country, many detained and sentenced to disproportionate sentences after the last wave in the framework of the general elections. The majority are social leaders, politicians, students, human rights defenders, journalists. In addition, there are about 400 NGOs that have been stripped of legal personality, thus forcing their closure. Vile judges and prosecutors submissive to the Ortega Murillo have systematically violated procedural guarantees, becoming accomplices of the dictatorship and violators of human rights. Today we call for their names to be included in the list of those sanctioned by our European Union. The victims of that regime deserve it.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; This right includes the right not to be disturbed by their opinions, to investigate and receive information and opinions, and to disseminate them by any means of expression. It is evident that freedom of expression and freedom of information are key to the exercise of an emancipated journalism, capable of reporting objectively on the facts that affect the lives of citizens, including the activities of their rulers and, thus, establish a path for the permanent accountability of the leadership, which translates into an effective strengthening of democracy. When the disclosure of information exposes corruption and the infamous plots of organized crime, the office of reporting suffers threats and even murders, a situation aggravated when governments are involved in it, by action or omission, ignoring the gravity that such a situation represents for the well-being of the rule of law and democracy. We in the European Parliament know that the critical situation facing journalists and the media in Mexico is unfortunately long-standing. But today we contemplate perplexed how since the change of government, three years ago, the murders of these professionals have tripled and, only in the first months of this year, we have had almost one murder per week. In the face of this tragic situation, presidential rhetoric against journalists and the media is inexplicable. We deplore the creation of state platforms to expose, stigmatize and attack journalists under the pretext of combating disinformation. More than 90% of the crimes that journalists have suffered have not even been investigated. Faced with this unacceptable impunity, we understand the blunt response of a courageous Mexican journalist to the question: "And why is this happening in your country?" He replied: Simply because you can. We can't go on like this.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, the report we are debating today makes it very clear that corruption is a threat to democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. The European Union must set an example for the international community by combating this scourge at all levels. First, internally. It is therefore necessary to promote harmonisation of rules at European level and to strengthen the instruments that we already have in place to combat corruption, to promote cooperation between the Union, the Member States and third countries, especially in the judicial and police field, and to allow the exchange of information so that criminals can be brought to justice and victims compensated. The scope of this scourge is transversal and universal. Corruption encompasses bribery, illicit money flows, money laundering, influence trafficking, drugs and so on. Foreign interference in democratic processes and killings of journalists, judges and members of civil society are strategies for silencing allegations of these crimes. Combating this threat at the international level is no easy task. The rise of authoritarianism and the disappearance of democracies provide fertile ground for the spread of this poisonous activity. It is imperative to amend the current EU sanctions regime as soon as possible, broadening its scope to include all acts of corruption and creating a new regime to sanction them. Let us say no to corruption, sending a strong message to the Council and the High Representative. It is imperative that tomorrow's vote be in favour of this report.

Madam President, Commissioner, from the PPE Group we will not tire of denouncing the gravity of the situation in which all Cubans find themselves, inside and outside the island. And we will say it as many times as necessary: one, two or hundreds of times, until repression, ill-treatment, torture, enforced disappearances, killings against members of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, artists, journalists, students and simply demonstrators cease completely; until political prisoners are also released and the road to democracy and the rule of law is finally established in Cuba. Our debates and resolutions are of extreme necessity, because we, as representatives of European citizens, record their will. I can assure you that Europe stands with all the Cuban democrats who suffer the repression of the dictatorship and that its end is wanted. The Cuban regime is not poisonous only to those who take the opposite within their borders. So are they abroad. The Cuban regime insists on exporting its totalitarian and subjugation model to the rest of the region. We have already seen how those countries that did not have strong democratic systems have fallen into their clutches. The Cuban regime has recently hosted a summit of dictators and human rights violators that brought together, among others, the worst dictatorships in the region to set its road map for the future. The European Union is a very strong international actor, prestigious and present, who should not be afraid to speak out in the face of this barbarity. Today I emphatically ask the High Representative to listen to and execute the will of Parliament. We have an agreement with the island that is not respected. We have common principles that are not respected. We have some Sakharov prizes that are not respected and even feel so abandoned by our institutions that they have not hesitated to propose to return their distinction as a protest. That is why today we require you to propose at the next Foreign Affairs Council to activate Article 85(3) of the Agreement, which may lead to its suspension, and finally to propose sanctions for those responsible for human rights violations.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, I speak on behalf of almost the whole of this House when I say, loudly and firmly, that the European Parliament strongly condemns the installation of authoritarianism in Nicaragua at the hands of dictator Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo. This institution will never be complicit in the pantomime with the appearance of an electoral process that took place on November 7. Therefore, it does not recognise the results of the process and therefore does not recognise the authorities emanating from it. We must remind the dictator that this farce not only did not comply with the principles of freedom, transparency and democracy by which electoral processes must be characterized with guarantees, but it was also not recognized by the population, resulting in almost 85% abstention at the polls. Ortega is upset with the international community when he is reminded of his obligations – in view of the continuing human rights violations taking place in his country – and when respect is demanded for the Treaties to which Nicaragua is a signatory. Mr. High Representative, I give you the floor. Consider all the instruments that the European Union has at its disposal to adopt additional measures against the Nicaraguan regime. Perhaps, including the activation of the democratic clause of the EU-Central America Agreement as it pertains to Nicaragua, of course. But, finally, propose, once and for all, to specifically sanction Daniel Ortega, for being the most responsible for the situation in his country.