Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. We know that the issues of abortion and health care are the competence of the member states, and we will not change the law here. Nevertheless, I think that we need a signal from this House, we need this discussion addressed to Polish women, that we know about their problems, that we know them and we support them warmly from this place. Once again on this forum we are talking about Polish women on the anniversary of the judgment of the politicized Constitutional Court, which de facto prohibits abortion. And from this point I would like to say bluntly: no ban will limit the number of treatments, will not make women want to be mothers. The Polish government is forcibly trying to force women into heroism without a proper understanding of their problems and support. Once again, no politician can be the conscience of Polish women, or of women at all. When we look at the statistics, in Poland in 2019 as much as 98% of abortion procedures had a medical basis due to irreversible fetal defects. Unfortunately, Polish women have been deprived of the opportunity to choose, and yet we know that no law, order or even benefits will change the entrenched modern virtues of women. It is sad that it is not the Polish government, but the governments of other member states: The Czech Republic, Belgium, the Scandinavian countries or the Kingdom of the Netherlands are reaching out to Poles with a helping hand. Poland is becoming a country hostile to mothers, and pregnancy is fraught with risk and fear. Many women have trouble getting pregnant. When infertility is considered a social disease, the Polish government closes in vitro programs, which were not only a huge success, but also for many parents were a chance for their own offspring. In addition, the government does not solve the problem of access to prenatal tests, proper perinatal care, let alone proper help and support for families that raise disabled children, or much-needed sex education. As a woman and a politician, I will always defend the rights of Polish women, because I know that without proper solutions guaranteeing knowledge, support and the possibility of choosing instead of conscious pregnancies, we will witness despair and human tragedies. (The Chair took the floor)

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Prime Minister, I'm sorry. By signing the treaties of the European Union as a sovereign country, we agreed in a referendum to uphold European values. And you know that there is no dispute between the Constitution and the treaties. The dispute is about the violation by your government and the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, and treaties, and European values. Let us consider why you began to be disturbed by the standards respected by your predecessors and other countries of the European Union. After all, the independence of the courts is in the interest of every honest Pole. One could get the impression that the struggle leading to manual control and political creation of judgments, harassment, destruction of independent judges is the desire to cover up the lies and maddenings of the rulers. Millions of proud Poles cannot agree to polexit and the loss of values and principles won after years of communism. That is why I ask the Prime Minister: Whose business are you looking after? Whose interests are more important than the interests and reasons of the state of the Polish nation?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Violence occurs in the homes of educated and uneducated people, in the homes of politicians, doctors, policemen or manual workers, in rich and poor countries. The lack of a quick, adequate response from the relevant authorities, as well as often turning the head or simply social consent, only embolden the perpetrators of violence. That's why it's so hard to fight it. Statistics are not optimistic, and the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns put in place have definitely intensified and showed the scale of this phenomenon, which mainly affects women. In many countries there are no effective programs to combat violence, not all European Union countries have ratified the Istanbul Convention. We also hear about attempts to denounce it despite the fact that its provisions have directly contributed to supporting victims of violence in many countries. Let us not forget that where violence occurs, children are also victims. The very fact of witnessing violence imprints on the psyche and later life of the child. That's why it's so important that we don't wait and react. Victims of domestic violence in each Member State suffer equally and violence has a negative impact on entire communities. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Therefore, let us show empathy today, let us accept the report and let us do everything we can to combat this phenomenon. And I'll say it again: Without understanding the problem and the support of men, we will long reap the negative fruits of domestic violence.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. One in three women in the European Union has experienced or is experiencing psychological, physical, economic, sexual or cyber violence. This situation generates huge costs and social damage, which is why we cannot absolutely stand by. A comprehensive strategy to combat gender-based violence is lacking at European Union level and Member States’ legislation is full of gaps. There is also a growing reluctance on the part of some politicians to react decisively to violence against women. In addition, not all Member States have ratified the Istanbul Convention. We also hear about the ideas of its denunciation, which means that especially women, who are 90% victims of violence, are deprived of full legal protection. It can also be said that a government that uses financial resources instead of fighting violence for political purposes, that denies women the right to in vitro, that does not defend women demanding their rights, such a government also uses some form of violence. That is why I call on all political groups to put violence against women, gender-based violence on the list of criminal offences in the European Union. We owe it to all victims of violence. And one more thing, ladies and gentlemen. Today, out of 30 women who speak on this topic, only 4 men speak. So I hope that men notice this problem in the European Union, because without their support and understanding it will be difficult to change the sad reality of thousands of women.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. I am very pleased that the Connecting Europe Facility has been extended for the next budgetary period until 2027. Above all, I welcome the emphasis on synergies between the transport, energy and digital sectors. It is important to accelerate the green transition. It is therefore very important to pay more attention to the development of infrastructure for alternative fuels, but also to encourage the shift to combined transport. We must remember that in some parts of Europe such infrastructure is almost non-existent, but it is invested in agencies that, for example, favour coal. Ladies and gentlemen, I think that it is also very important that we complete these sections of the TEN-T core network, especially the various transport corridors, in a short time, because when we look at the state of implementation, e.g. the very important Via Carpatia corridor, only 10%, or 75 km, were completed on the 700 km section of Poland.