Speeches

The next item is the debate on the report by Sandra Pereira, on behalf of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, on equality between women and men in the European Union 2018-2020 (2021/2020(INI)) (A9-0351/2021).

The debate is closed. The vote on the amendments will take place today and the final vote will take place on Tuesday. Written declarations (Rule 171)

We now continue with the debate on the report by Elissavet Vozemberg—Vrionidi and Sylwia Spurek on combating gender-based violence: cyberviolence (A9-0338/2021).

Before continuing with the debate, let me open today’s voting session. We will vote on the files as indicated on the agenda. The voting session will be open from 18.30 until 19.45. The same voting methods will be used as during the last part—sessions. All votes will be held by roll call. Explanations of vote may be submitted in writing. Explanations of vote containing a maximum of 400 words will be accepted. I declare the voting session open. You have until 19.45 to vote. The results of the vote will be announced on Tuesday, 14 December at 9.00.

Mr. President, please. One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is the online space and its regulatory issues. The experience of recent decades has shown that, in addition to its many advantages and benefits, the internet is unfortunately able to provide a platform for new forms of violence. In just over a decade, social media has become a vector of youth violence, dramatically changing the online space, amplifying aggressive behavior. Cyberviolence intentionally harms an individual and abuse can persist. In our Roma communities, we must pay particular attention to online aggression against girls, as electronic aggression is a growing mental problem, damaging the individual, Roma families and society as a whole. Effective regulation and attention is needed. However, we regret that this report has been prepared according to the usual scenario. He accuses Member States of unlawfully attacking them, framing them with ideological phrases and making it impossible to reach an agreement, and he begins to divide them among the Member States of the Union, which is very sad, as our countries, including Hungary, are committed to combating gender-based cyberviolence. Protecting our children and families is the most important thing online.

Dear Mr President, Dear Commissioner, Dear fellow Members, We all agree that eradicating violence against women is truly our common goal and task, without politics. However, the Istanbul Convention, after 30 years of experience in anthropology, I must say that making it binding is simply divisive, because it incorporates elements guided by ideologies that are simply unacceptable to conservative communities of Christian principles that are represented here in the room. Symbolically, it cannot create European unity, because it does not provide a consensus-oriented solution, but ideologically, you understand and feel that it creates a very big fight. In 2011, we in Hungary ratified the European Council Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence and all the provisions of the conventions on their prevention that are truly about and for women. A 14 FRA study showed that in Hungary, only 28% of women were victims of intimate partner violence, compared to the EU average of 33%. Hungary is fighting to reduce violence against women. We do not believe in the ratification of documents, but in action.

From here, too, we express our solidarity. As Vice President, I have not yet had the opportunity to express my sympathy for the fates of the families that have experienced these tragedies. Thank you for bringing that up.

The debate is closed. The vote on the amendments will take place tomorrow and the final vote will take place on Wednesday. Written declarations (Rule 171)

Thank you very much for your very important words and thank you for referring to all the MEPs who have addressed this very important topic, and congratulations to the rapporteur. With this I am closing the debate.

Mr. President, please. I welcome Slovenia, Prime Minister Jansa and the MEPs to the Presidency-in-Office of the European Council. We have talked from my heart in many of the areas and we share a lot of things together as I am a Hungarian MEP. The pandemic has put Europe to the test, as you have said. We must finally speak frankly about our common future, our common values and our challenges, and we must engage in an open and honest dialogue, not only because of the diversity of our way of life, which strengthens the community of the Union, but also because mutual respect and equality cannot allow double standards to be the standard in Europe. Thank you for bringing this to your attention. I welcome the Presidency's objectives, the Roma issue is very important to me, I am a Roma Member of the European Parliament and I represent a discriminated community. Unfortunately, the figures are very tragic, especially in the shadow of COVID, so I think it is very important that your rotating presidency deals with the rule of law mechanism, national and ethnic minorities, disadvantaged people, the poor, especially Europe’s Roma communities, and that the ‘rule of law’ serves their protection, safety and equal opportunities – very important. I also ask for better coordination of national Roma strategies, because this semester will be very important. You have a great deal of knowledge in integrating minority and ethnic groups, and I think that your task is great, the task of the Presidency is great, grandiose, and I wish you a lot of strength for that!