Speeches

Madam President, My name is Romeo Franz, I am Sinto, and I lost six relatives in the Holocaust. This week is an important week for me and for the people with Romanes background. However, the situation in Eastern Europe – Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine – is largely inhumane. Especially in Ukraine, in the forests of Lviv, more than 1,000 Karpati Roma live, excluded from politics and civil society, without access to drinking water, medical care and education. This is an inhuman situation that I have seen with my own eyes. It would be desirable not only to think of people with Romanesian backgrounds on 8 April or other commemorations or holidays, but to deal with them on a daily basis. We are talking about human rights, women's rights and children's rights. But the reality is: We are currently bordering the Eastern European Romani people of these basic rights. The European Parliament should also finally treat citizens with Romanesian background as equal citizens. I appeal to all Members and all parties: Save yourself your Sunday speeches for my people! Fight your own racism in your minds and don't classify people! It is said that the dignity of man is inviolable, and not only the dignity of the white man. The shame of Europe is its racists.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. As draftsman of the opinion on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget for the financial year 2022, I have found constructive cooperation. We are all aware of the importance of Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps. I was able to put particular emphasis on the need to increase the budget for the EU's youth, culture and education programmes. It is important and necessary not only to increase funding, but also to simplify the call for funds so that small organisations and voluntary organisations can also successfully apply for funding. It is also important to support networking activities and create synergies, including through digital development, in order to connect participants sustainably and become more inclusive. This includes cooperation at local level with vulnerable groups. I think we have been able to provide helpful feedback but also a productive impetus to continuously improve Europe's largest education support programme, solidarity projects and volunteering.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, It is sad when siblings and children are excluded from school. And we – we must fight against such injustices and exclusion. Exclusion often begins with words. In politics, the term Roma is often used as a generic term for all Romanesque-speaking people, such as Caló, Manuš, Lovara, Resande, Bojash, Domari, Caldera, Romani, Kale and Sinti. This is fundamentally wrong. I, for example, am Sinto and do not fall under the umbrella term Roma. Just as a Frenchman is not a German, a Pole is not a Spaniard. But we are all – we are all Europeans. Being European means being part of a diverse continent with different cultures, languages and traditions. The same is true of Romance-speaking people. The term Romance-speaking people respects the diversity in this community and promotes a better understanding of their culture and history. The use of the generic term Roma can make differences within the group overlooked. If we use the term Romanes-speaking people instead, we recognize the unity and diversity with over 200 Romanes dialects alike and promote a respectful dialogue about their rights in Europe. In doing so, we also oppose a paternalistic approach and demand our right to self-determination and self-identification. In addition to combating antigypsyism, however, it is also important to emphasize that environmental racism affects not only the living conditions, but also the school experience and school performance of Romance-speaking children. Circumstances arising from pollution, health burdens and inadequate housing conditions can significantly affect their educational opportunities. We need to be aware of how environmental racism works in school and work for a just educational environment. Only by taking a holistic view of the challenges faced by Romance-speaking children can we bring about real change and create an inclusive society.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Kosovo belongs to the EU. The recently adopted visa liberalisation is an important and long overdue step in this direction. As a result, Kosovars will be able to travel to the EU without a visa for 90 days from next year. This is a great success, which I am particularly happy for the many young people in Kosovo. One obstacle to the future development of Kosovo is Serbia's stance of blockade, which prevents mutual normalization of relations. Although both sides agreed on an agreement at the end of March, Serbia refuses to sign it. Serbia recently voted against Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe. This attitude of Serbia is anti-European and clearly shows that nationalism wants to undermine European values.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The Erasmus+ programme, together with some other programmes that promote cultural exchanges, are the most well-known for many people in the EU. It is important that these programmes reach even more people and focus more on diversity and inclusion. The EU must take all people with it, especially marginalised groups and our youth. But with the much too short-term announcement of the Year of Youth, little could be done. Therefore, the Commission should learn from these mistakes and continue to invest more in European youth.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, One of the fundamental objectives of the Declaration is to demand respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Measures are required to promote the identity of minorities. There is an explicit call for measures to be taken to promote knowledge of the history of minorities. Minority members should have adequate opportunities to share their personal experiences in order to foster mutual understanding and trust. This includes an appropriate culture of remembrance. The Holocaust killed hundreds of thousands of Sinti and Roma, including six of my aunts and uncles. It is time for the next Holocaust Remembrance Day in Parliament, for the first time in our history, to have a contemporary witness speak with a Romanesian background, as long as we still have the time.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. With this report, we urge the Commission and the Member States to ensure the involvement of the most marginalised and under-represented groups in cultural activities and initiatives, not only as passive recipients, but also as active creators, that is, on an equal footing. Last week, I invited a delegation of members of the Kosovo Human Rights Committee to Berlin, as they asked me to do so, to strengthen their human rights standards and to make themselves more effective. Best practiceMeasures taken by marginalised groups, in particular by: Romani people, exchange. Our exchange took place on an equal footing. The exchange with the representatives of the German Federal Government and the ministries also took place on an equal footing. The State Treaty of Baden-Württemberg with the Sinti and Roma minority, which is among the first in Germany and the most effective in the EU, was also of central importance. But we also visited the various monuments of minorities in Berlin together to exchange ideas about which forms of commemorative culture are also possible. Communication on an equal footing at all levels is essential. I am therefore very pleased that, on the one hand, we have succeeded in making the enormous contribution that art and culture make to anchoring awareness of the environment, climate and sustainability issues and their social dimension in this report as well. It is important for culture, especially for those who are often victims of discrimination, such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and members of LGBTIQ, to strongly underline the fight against hatred and racism also in this report.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Today we are making history. For the first time in this Parliament, we are putting such a strong emphasis on the fight against structural racism and discrimination against minorities. This report urges us to finally address the root causes of structural racism and discrimination. The fight against racism must finally be tackled in the EU. We are setting an important milestone for this. With my own eyes, I have seen in the forests of Lviv in Ukraine how racism and discrimination make people starve to death. I could not believe that people – including a large number of children – live in these conditions in Europe with a life expectancy of around 40 years. The journeys to the ghettos of Tinca in Romania or Kjustendil in Bulgaria, where massive anti-Gypsyism turns citizens into second-class people, have shaped me a lot. But Lviv was hard to describe. This level of dehumanization by racism is a cruel reality, exacerbated by war. We, the European Parliament, must not continue to tolerate the shame of dehumanisation. This is the only way we can preserve our humanity. And that is what we are sending a signal for today.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. Thousands of families were wrongly accused of fraud in the Netherlands between 2013 and 2019. Many families became indebted and children were taken away from their parents. The reason for this is a deep-seated racism and prejudice, with which one has deliberately fed the algorithms. I can sympathize very well with those affected, as people with Romanesian backgrounds are among the most marginalised groups in Europe and antigypsyism is on the rise again. It is important that, in the wake of such stigmatizations, we also have answers that fit in with the times. That is why, in the racism report that we are working on in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, I have also advocated that the dangers of artificial intelligence and algorithms must necessarily be taken into account. Racism cannot be combated with recommendations. We need the power of the law to protect people from racism.

In any case, we need to overcome an ethnosystem. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in Europe that has this system, and it has no future. I'll tell you from my own experience. We lost six members of my family in the Holocaust because we belonged to an ethnic group, the Sinti. And we know that an ethnic system cannot have a future, nor can it guarantee human rights. That is why it is important for Europe and for the people that we overcome this.

Dear Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, We all agree that a sustainable stabilisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the European interest, not just in the context of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. We know that Putin wants to extend his influence to the Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is therefore necessary that we in the European Union, together with our international allies, live up to our responsibilities and ensure peace and stability. At the same time, efforts on the Bosnian side need to be stepped up in order to obtain EU candidate status. Because they are essential for the democratization process in the country. We condemn those who want to divide the country. The blockade of the institutions and the attempts to divide the Republika Srpska must be ended immediately. People are suffering from the ethnonationalism of the political elites in the country. They want a life of peace and security and a future for themselves and their children. This makes the October elections all the more important. These must be transparent and fair, and the European Union must make every effort to ensure this. (The speaker agreed to respond to an intervention under the blue card procedure.)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Our flagship European programme Erasmus+ is a European flagship project, but there are still young people who have never heard of it. We need to improve this, because inclusion measures are key to a successful Erasmus+ programme. All young people within the EU, regardless of their affiliation or ethnicity, but especially those from disadvantaged, marginalised groups such as people with Romanesian backgrounds, must be able to access and participate in this programme. Small organizations, especially self-organizations, play an important role here, because they have contact with the young people. That's valuable. In addition, these organisations need more support – financially, but also in terms of the administrative process. This needs to be simplified. While the report refers to the past programme interval, an analysis of deficits makes sense to know what we need to do even better in the future.

That you just call the name Salvini here shows what attitude you have. Salvini is one of the greatest racists we have here in Europe. If you accept what Salvini did, then that's where you belong.

Mr President! () We, the people with Romanesian background, celebrate our international day on April 8. On this day, this House must say more clearly and loudly than ever that antigypsyism is a deeply rooted phenomenon and makes our society sick. Let's look at Ukraine: My people are often prevented from fleeing, from crossing the border. My people are separated from the refugees because of their ethnicity. They demand money to cross the border. In which world do we live? Hasn't enough suffering been inflicted on my people in the history of Europe? When will we finally open our eyes to face this injustice in a credible way? When is it enough? Twelve million Europeans have Romanesian backgrounds, and almost 80% live in poverty and are marginalised because of their innate ethnicity. I ask the Commission: Isn't that enough wrong to finally use every opportunity to give them a right to equality? Without a greater political commitment, hardly anything will change for my sisters and brothers on the ground. However, I am very pleased that we currently have a large majority in the European Parliament, which is committed to a European equality law for people with Romanes background. The EU has the power to enable an equality and antigypsyism law for my people. And the European Parliament already took the first step in September 2020. How many tragedies does the Commission still need to understand that this law can save lives? Ultimately, it is about saving lives. Why? My family has been living in the German-speaking world for over 600 years. I love my country, and I love Europe, just as all my people love their homeland. We are citizens of our home countries. I call on the Commission and I ask you from the bottom of my heart: Realize this law! We are people with a Romanesque background. We are citizens of our countries. Treat us as equal citizens! (The speaker speaks a few words in a language that is not an official language of the EU.)

Mr President, Commissioner! Bosnia and Herzegovina's painful history is not long ago, and the dramatic developments in Ukraine evoke bad memories. Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine is an attack on the whole of Europe and on our value system, on our peace order. Putin also wants to reduce European influence in the Western Balkans. His strongest ally in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Milorad Dodik, whom he supports politically, economically and even militarily. We have long been calling for sanctions against this ethnic nationalist. Some countries have blocked this so far and instead endowed the Serb leader with money. This is infam! Also the unsuccessful appeasement policy of the European Commission, because, Mr Várhelyi, in the end, this policy has exactly the opposite effect: It only strengthens Dodiks and Putins who themselves want nothing to do with democratic values. They only care about power and money. They are corrupt and driven by aggressive nationalism. Instead of talking to Dodik, he must finally be deposed. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina want peace and security and a future for themselves and their children. And they want democracy, they want peace and security and a future for themselves. Mr Putin and his peers fear democracy the most. And rightly so! Let us strengthen democratic forces and the rule of law – in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the Western Balkans!

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has brought infinite suffering to the people of Ukraine, and countless women, children and elderly people are seeking protection in neighboring countries. These, in turn, make an incredible humanitarian contribution in the face of the masses of people in need of help and seeking refuge. Unfortunately, there are more and more cases where people of different skin colors or ethnicities are confronted with racism in addition to their refugee suffering. The reports from NGOs and those affected are disturbing. African students in Ukraine report that they were discriminated against in their flight and, for example, were prevented from boarding buses or trains that were supposed to take them to the border – due to their skin colour. And people with Romanesian background also experience discrimination and even racist violence by officials at the borders. In view of the war, which hits all people equally hard, we must stick together. Let us not allow the overwhelming helpfulness of European societies to be overshadowed by individuals with racism and antigypsyism!

Dear Madam President, The current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is dramatic. This is not an ethnic conflict, but a geopolitical security problem. Mr Dodik, with the support of President Vucic and President Putin, is trying to destabilise the country and the entire region, thereby also weakening the EU. A bloodshed in Bosnia, which is spreading to the wildfire in the Western Balkans, seems possible again. We cannot allow this to happen – not a second time. The international community, and the EU in particular, must act decisively now. It must open up all possible sanctions against Dodik and his followers, as well as increase EUFOR forces to ensure security and peace in the country. Let's finally stop negotiating with the ethnonationalists and make concessions to them! They have not moved the country forward in 26 years, but only cemented their corrupt structures in their ethnic division. No one should endanger the Dayton Peace Treaty and thus the security and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is about peace in this country and in Europe, in the interest of all Bosnian citizens, in our very own interest.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner! Institutional racism against people with Romanesian background is spreading in Europe and is becoming deadly and real. On June 19, in Teplice Stanislav Tomáš, a young Rome, a policeman pressed his knee in the neck for six minutes. Stanislav died like George Floyd. The fact that we are debating this issue here in the European Parliament today was only possible with massive pressure and cross-party cooperation with MEPs who have not lost their sense of justice. Unfortunately, the Commission has not published a specific position against police violence against people with Romanesian background or in the case of Stanislav Tomáš. I ask: Are political interests above the protection of a life? Anti-Gypsyist police violence is unfortunately at the very bottom of the list of injustices to be combated in our society. Again, proof of this: Recommendations to combat discrimination and racism are useless and do not save lives, especially the lives of people with Romanesian backgrounds. Unfortunately, the image of the EU also suffers in the fight against antigypsyism. Nice words on a paper won't change anything. Recommendations will not combat this deadly practice, which in some cases is motivated by antigypsyism. How many people with Romanesian background still have to be victims of police violence, but also of poverty and social exclusion, before the Commission follows the call of the European Parliament of 17 September 2020 and finally creates a law for the equality of inclusion and for the fight against antigypsyism? Failure by the Commission to respond to this call means that 6.4 million EU citizens with Romanesian background cannot expect equal participation and protection against racism. Thus, the European values would only be an empty phrase.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The right-wing extremist excesses of violence in Rome are part of the Europe-wide trend of the radicalisation of right-wing hate speech and the increasing willingness of the political right to use violence. This is sad and outrageous. In times of coronavirus, this phenomenon has intensified. In Vicenza, a bomb was dropped on a Sinti camp in August. People are made a scapegoat because of their ethnicity or skin color. People with Romani backgrounds were partly beaten, humiliated, imprisoned in their neighborhoods, with no access to drinking water and health care. Politicians are inciting against Roma and calling them carriers of COVID-19. Antigypsyism and anti-Semitism were fueled by conspiracy theories. In this House, too, we have well-known actors whose racist slogans we have to endure, such as Mr Dzhambazki or Mr Zanni. Honourable Members of these political groups: In my view, you bear joint responsibility for these unfortunate cases of extreme right-wing violence in the cities of Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, we must stand together as democratic forces against these actors. We certainly have different opinions on which measures are most effective against the pandemic. But it is clear: We have discussions about this within the framework of democratic values and not by rushing and, as intellectual arsonists, spreading fear and terror on the streets. We must protect all parts of our society from this right-wing hatred. We finally need binding measures. (The President withdrew the floor from the speaker.)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. The items relevant to the Committee on Culture were mainly included in the general budget of the European Union for 2022. This is a good sign for our citizens. This budget responds to the need for investment in education and culture, especially in view of the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis. No one doubts that the cultural and creative sectors and all the people working in this sector have been worst hit by the pandemic. Nor that children and young people in particular have suffered the most from the consequences of this crisis. It is therefore important to invest in these policies, as they make an important contribution to strengthening democracy. However, it is regrettable in this context that the Citizens’ Participation and Participation strand of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme has not received a corresponding increase in resources. I therefore very much hope that the amendment tabled by the Committee on Culture will find a majority.