What Miriam spoke about.

7 Oct

2026

EN Speech

The cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan

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Mr President, the persecution of Ali Karimli and Anar Mammadli is yet another reminder of the brutal totalitarian nature of Aliyev's regime. Behind a facade, it systematically silences political opposition, independent journalists and civil society. Its repression also targets foreign nationals. We must not forget Ruben Vardanyan and the other Armenians still held hostage in Baku, who are subject …

7 Oct

2026

SK Speech

Empowering Europeans to address the cost-of-living crisis (debate)

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Madam President, imagine that you are starting a family or have young children. You live crammed in a small apartment with parents and grandparents. This is how about a third of people in Slovakia live. At the same time, Slovaks spend more than a quarter of their family budget on food alone per month. And I'm not talking about situations of families caring for a senior relative or having a child w…

6 Oct

2026

SK Speech

The 2026 undemocratic elections to the Russian State Duma and its implications on civil society (debate)

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6 Oct

2026

SK Speech

Recommendation on EU-China political relations (debate)

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Madam President, when I drew attention to the threats arising from our dependence on China years ago, many of my warnings were seen as exaggerated. Honestly, today I'd like to be wrong. More and more people, our companies, are directly feeling the price we pay for the addiction we have created ourselves. China's unfair practices threaten our businesses and jobs. China's dominance of critical raw m…

16 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung

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Madam President, colleagues, again and again, we warn about the systematic dismantling of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong through the abusive application of the national security law. Leticia Wong is the latest victim of the oppressive Chinese communist regime, while Jimmy Lai and many other pro-democracy voices remain unjustly in prison. China is constantly breaching the international obligatio…

8 Jul

2026

EN Speech

Ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

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Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the horrific attacks in Kawel village – where innocent Christians, including their pastor, were brutally killed – are yet another tragic reminder of the escalating violence against Christian communities in Nigeria. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Across the coun…

19 May

2026

SK Speech

Opportunities and challenges presented by a comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy for EU trade (debate)

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Mr President. Artificial intelligence is increasingly affecting every area of our lives: From education to healthcare to setting up our smart homes. But artificial intelligence must have clear rules, so that it is a good servant, but not a bad master. One of the areas in which it can help us is international trade. Every day around 12 million packages from online platforms flood us at European bor…

28 Apr

2026

EN Speech

Supporting democratic resilience in Armenia (debate)

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Madam President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, as the rapporteur of this House for Armenia and for the relations with Armenia, I want to underline why today's debate truly matters. EU‑Armenia relations have reached a pivotal moment. Armenia has in the past years demonstrated a genuine commitment to democracy, and our partnership today is an example of what closer cooperation can achieve. Arm…

11 Mar

2026

EN Speech

Case of Elene Khoshtaria and political prisoners under the Georgian Dream regime

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Mr President, dear colleagues, Georgian people made it clear decades ago: they believe in a free, democratic Georgia anchored in European values. Yet, the one‑party rule of Georgian Dream, using Putin's playbook, is steering the country in the opposite direction. We are witnessing repeated attacks against peaceful protesters, the silencing of journalists and a curtailing of fundamental freedoms th…

11 Feb

2026

SK Answer

Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response (debate)

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Mr. Blaha, I am not going to the Slovak Republic. But I stand here because Slovak citizens have put me in this institution to defend their interests. Slovak citizens do not want European funds to be stolen. And I have made it clear here that we are asking the European Union to act where we have given it competence – and it has competence to investigate corruption and not to act where it does not h…

11 Feb

2026

SK Speech

Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response (debate)

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Madam President, if Slovakia were a house, there would be darkness in it. Yes, corruption plunges our society into darkness. The current government is extinguishing one light after another, weakening and dismantling institutions for detecting and investigating serious crimes such as the Special Prosecutor's Office, the National Crime Agency or the Whistleblower Protection Office. These steps, incl…

21 Jan

2026

EN Speech

Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong

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Madam President, at the age of 78 and in poor health, Jimmy Lai faces life imprisonment following a sham trial based on fabricated offences. This is the real face of the brutal Chinese Communist Party. Jimmy Lai is one of the strongest supporters of democracy in Hong Kong. He represents the best of Hong Kong, its entrepreneurial spirit and its love of freedom. Therefore, colleagues, I would like t…

17 Dec

2025

SK Speech

Mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria, including from St Mary's Catholic school in Papiri

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Madam President, almost a month ago there was one of the largest abductions in Nigeria's history. The attackers entered St. Mary's Catholic School and kidnapped 300 innocent children. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. We are witnessing increasing abductions and recurrent violence by armed forces and Islamist terrorist organisations. Christian communities are suffering immensely. Christi…

15 Dec

2025

EN Speech

Order of business

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Madam President, dear colleagues, in compliance with Rule 202 of the Rules of Procedure, I would like to raise a point of order to the agenda point 'Award of the Sakharov Prize'. Last night, freedom and democracy defender and former Sakharov Prize nominee Jimmy Lai was found guilty of fabricated offences by the brutal Chinese communist regime. He faces life imprisonment. Jimmy Lai is one of the st…

26 Nov

2025

EN Speech

Escalating repression of the Baha'is in Iran

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Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Baha'i friends on the balcony. The Baha'is are the largest unrecognised religious minority in Iran. They are facing systematic arrest and torture, denied basic human rights such as education, employment or even a dignified burial. Their only 'crime' is their Baha'i faith. The Iranian totalitarian regime misuses laws to label Baha'is as a 'misguided sect', treati…

26 Nov

2025

SK Speech

The situation of Christian communities and religious minorities in Nigeria and the Middle East, and Europe’s responsibility to protect them and guarantee freedom of conscience (topical debate)

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23 Oct

2025

SK Speech

Combating violence against women and girls, including the exploitation of motherhood (debate)

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Madam President, sovereign motherhood is a business that knows neither ethical nor geographical boundaries. In it, the woman is humiliated to the level of rented reproductive organs, and the child to goods to order. With the fact that when the result does not suit the customer, the next fate of the child does not interest anyone. More recently, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women c…

21 Oct

2025

SK Speech

Polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy (debate)

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Commissioner, colleagues. The tragedy in Novi Sad is a clear example of how poor-quality Chinese investments, combined with a combination of corruption and non-transparent practices, will put the lives of European citizens at risk. However, it is also a symbol of where Serbia has been going in recent years. Instead of progress towards Europe, we see a gradual shift towards Moscow and Beijing. This…

8 Oct

2025

EN Speech

10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China

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Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we speak here today about Gui Minhai, a Swedish publisher abducted 10 years ago from his holiday home in Thailand by the Chinese intelligence forces. Through Gui's writing and publishing in Hong Kong, millions were able to reach books which were banned in mainland China. His case reminds us of the Chinese Government's long arm of repression against independen…

7 Oct

2025

EN Speech

Rising antisemitism in Europe (debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, two years ago we woke up to the tragic news of Hamas's brutal and barbaric evil attack on Israel – an attack that left thousands of civilians dead or taken hostage and unleashed incredible suffering that continues today. Today, in Europe, we are witnessing a growing wave of antisemitism, or Jew hatred, to put it in blunter terms. Jew hatred manifested in attacks on s…

9 Jul

2025

EN Speech

EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the US is not only the largest trading partner, but also our closest ally. We share a rich history, common values and traditions. The transatlantic relationship is the foundation of our mutual prosperity and security. And tariffs benefit neither side. They only benefit totalitarian regimes like China and Russia – the same regimes that threaten our security, …

8 Jul

2025

EN Speech

Situation in Belarus, in particular the release of political prisoners (debate)

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Madam President, colleagues, the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski and other political prisoners gives hope to all of us who believe in a democratic Belarus. But this single positive message doesn't signal the end of political repression in the country. Over a thousand political prisoners remain behind bars. Systematic crackdowns on citizens have only strengthened in recent months. Repressive measur…

8 Jul

2025

EN Speech

Preparation for the 2025 EU–China Summit - Tackling China's critical raw materials export restrictions

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Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, current export controls on several minerals is yet another example of the toolbox China uses for its political purposes. Misusing its dominance over rare earths and deliberately causing disruptions in the supply chains is part of China's trade strategy, which allows it to maintain global dependencies. This puts in danger not only our car producers, b…

18 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025 (debate)

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Mr President, Vice-President, just yesterday we witnessed another brutal bombing of Kyiv. Each such acts reminds us of the threat that Russia poses – and other totalitarian regimes – to Ukraine, to Europe and to world-based global order. It is high time to take our security seriously and adequately invest in defence. But we must do that responsibly and in cooperation with our allies. Raising our d…

16 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Signature of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

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Madam President, dear colleagues, China has recently imposed new export controls on several minerals, misusing its dominance over rare earth. It's already causing disruptions in our supply chains. This is not the first time China has closed taps on critical minerals. In order to secure the future of our industries, we have to address these actions in the context of competitiveness and economic sec…