Speeches

Madam President, thank you very much. A few years ago I looked at the map of Poland with a broken heart. Through a policy of hatred conducted in the name of a perverted and sick right-wing ideology, 1/3 of the territory of my homeland has turned into so-called LGBT-free zones. Today I can proudly say here, in the heart of Europe, that just yesterday the democratic Polish government adopted a bill banning homophobic hate speech. It will protect all those who experience contempt and hate because of their sexual orientation. I am delighted to have started this work as Deputy Minister of Justice. Today, out of a hundred LGBT-free zones in Poland, only one remains, which, thanks to the efforts of civil society, will soon fall anyway. From this point of view, I would like to thank Commissioner Dalli very much for her determination, her commitment to this issue and her ruthless defence of the values of the European Union in my country. Democracy is not the blunt rule of the majority. Democracy is the defence of the rights of minorities. And the European Union is not an ATM. It is above all a set of concrete values and security for all. To all those who are fighting today for LGBT rights in Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia and still in Poland, I want to say one thing: Don't give up. LGBT rights are human rights.

Agnieszka, Izabela, Agata, Marta, Anna, Justyna, Dorota – these are the names of women who died in my country only because the populist right from PiS and the extreme right from Confederacy decided to clear their consciences, suck up to the Catholic clergy. They cowardly submitted an application for recognition as unconstitutional, and already extremely unfriendly anti-abortion law, to the politicized Constitutional Court in order not to boil hell on Polish women with their hands. These deaths, this suffering of families, orphaned children, this is your shameful inheritance. To the mass protests of hundreds of thousands of Polish women and men, the right-wing government recently sent policemen armed to the teeth, who brutally suppressed the legitimate anger of their citizens. These shameful scenes from Polish cities and towns were seen by the whole world. Today, it is the duty of every democrat to stand by women and their rights. Today, it is the duty of every democrat to do everything so that no more, nowhere, neither in Poland nor in any country in the world, no family has to mourn their deceased mother, sister, daughter or wife. The time has come now, declarations alone are not enough. It's time to make abortion free and legal.

Mr President, thank you very much. Dear Commissioner, The rule of law is a fundamental value which is enshrined not only in the constitutions of the Member States but also in the Treaties. It is a pillar of democracy and a guarantee of our freedom. Let the efforts of Polish civil society over the past eight years attest to this commitment. Mass demonstrations and the determination of civil society, but also European solidarity, have led to the overthrow of populist rule, for which the first goal is always to overthrow the independence of the judiciary and subjugate democratic institutions. At this point, from the heart of Europe, today once again I want to say to the Polish people: thank you. Thank you for fighting and for believing that Poland can be law-abiding and democratic again. Populists most hate everything that is free, independent and autonomous. And that is why with such fury they always attack institutions that may stand in their way. We have experienced this in Poland over the last few years. It is with concern and hope that I observe how different the situation is in the countries of the European Union. On the one hand, Poland, where after the times of populist PiS rule, we finally see a light in the tunnel, but next to this positive image we still have Hungary, and now Slovakia, where we see a regression that not only threatens civil liberties, but also casts a shadow on our entire community. Let us not allow the shadow of authoritarianism to overshadow our values.

Mr President, thank you very much. Nysa, Kłodzko, Stronie Śląskie, Głuchołazy or Lądek Zdrój – the inhabitants of these Polish cities mourn the loss, unfortunately also of their loved ones, who were killed by the destructive element. Some cities are still preparing to pass the wave. People are dramatically defending their homes, strengthening the embankments. Just like in Wrocław, where residents together with uniformed services are sweating their foreheads to strengthen their city. A city that 27 years ago was so painfully affected by the flood of the century. From this place, as an MP from Lower Silesia and Opole, I would like to thank all the services involved, as well as all the residents who generously defend their fellow citizens. Flooding is not a local problem. This is a challenge for the whole of Europe. We need to show that we can work together. That we are ready to immediately support those who have suffered the most. We cannot bring back the lives of those who have died, but we can give hope to those who have lost everything. Let us show that Europe is united, that no one is left behind. Our solidarity must translate into immediate action. That is why I am appealing from this place to the Commissioner to immediately...

Mr President, thank you very much. Racism. Xenophobia. Islamophobia. It's anti-Semitism. Although many of us would like to consider these phenomena as relics of the past, unfortunately they return to political discourse, especially in the rhetoric of right-wing groups that cut off political coupons from hatred and divisions. Unfortunately, this also happens, and it is shameful to admit it, in this House. The data of the Fundamental Rights Agency say very clearly, they are alarming: In recent years, as many as 9 out of 10 people of Jewish descent in Europe have reported that anti-Semitism has intensified in their countries, and nearly 40% of them admitted that they are afraid to show their identity in public because of concerns about their safety. Europe cannot be a place where the demons of the past are reborn. Let us not allow our neighbors to live in fear. Every day when we don't react, someone loses their sense of security. This is where every act of violence begins. Our refusal to identify with those who hate others is simply not enough. Today we must gather here to actively stand up against racism. From words to hateful deeds is a very short way. Here at the heart of Europe, we must defend our values and human rights with courage. (The speaker does not agree to listen to the question signalled by the raising of a blue card by Patryk Jaki)