Speeches

Today, the European Parliament voted on a framework for a European Digital Identity (eID). I voted against this report. While a European Digital Identity Wallet may seem easy at first glance, it has major drawbacks and uncertainties. The online use of a European digital identity document poses major challenges to the protection of user privacy. In addition, I have great concerns about the application possibilities of the eID, especially when it comes to processing sensitive data such as that of online payments. Where does this stop, I wonder. For example, can one in the future only pay with a digital euro with the digital wallet? The European Commission has alluded to this. This would lead to mass surveillance that I am not waiting for. I am therefore absolutely not convinced that the eID is safe and ethical in practice. The Dutch citizen is not waiting for a European digital wallet, because a well-functioning DigiD system already exists in the Netherlands. As far as I am concerned, the eID is therefore undesirable.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the persecution of Jimmy Lai, whose only crime is his commitment to freedom of the press, symbolises the drastic curtailment of freedom in Hong Kong, which has been under increasing pressure since the national security law entered into force there: legislation that paralyses civil society, silences opposition members and erodes fundamental freedoms. It is time for Europe to make it clear that the ongoing repression has consequences. I therefore call for targeted sanctions against the Hong Kong Supreme Leader and all officials responsible for these human rights violations. In addition, the European Union must critically review Hong Kong's special trade status as long as the rule of law and fundamental freedoms are not restored. Freedom is not a privilege, but a right. And that right deserves protection, even in Hong Kong.

Like you, I see the need and the desirability of a trade agreement with India. At the same time, we also know that there are concerns about human rights in India. I am thinking, for example, of the position of religious minorities and Christians and the fact that there are anti-conversion laws in India. My question to you is: Do you agree with me that we should use this agreement to also demand firm guarantees from India, for example that the country will better protect Christians?

Mr President, the human rights situation in the world is crying. I think we'll soon agree on that tonight. But the question is: What can we do about it? Military intervention, as Trump recently did in Nigeria, is not really obvious. But what is? I have three concrete recommendations for the Commission and for the High Representative: 1. Be more assertive in trade agreements. For example, in the case of India, do not settle for a non-committal human rights dialogue, but demand firm guarantees about repealing anti-conversion laws and addressing Hindu extremists; 2. also bring more focus into the policy. Stop promoting abortion. This is not a human right at all. Focus on violations of real human rights. Think about Christian persecution. Finally, appoint the EU Envoy for Freedom of Religion; 3. also look at human rights violations in Europe. Exploitation in prostitution, for example. We really need to tackle human trafficking much harder.

Mr President, ‘If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews lay down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.” This statement is attributed to Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel since 1969. And so it is. But unfortunately, 55 years later, this is still the sad situation. Jews and Israel are threatened by Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and, not to mention, Iran. As long as these threats continue, there will be no peace. In Gaza and Lebanon there is now a ceasefire, but the danger has not evaded. On the contrary. Priority for Europe – but also for Israel and the region – should therefore be: Disarm Hamas, the second phase of the peace plan. Disarm Hezbollah, an important task for the Lebanese army. But also: Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are classified as terrorist organizations. It is truly incomprehensible that the EU has still not done so. Only in this way can a basis be laid for a lasting peace in the region, including for Palestinians and Lebanese.

Mr President, I would like to begin by warmly endorsing the words of condolence with which the President opened the sitting yesterday. For the suffering inflicted on the Jewish community in Sydney cannot be described with a pen. Meanwhile, we must realize that this is not a purely Australian problem, because radical Islam, which does not shy away from violence, is also here in Europe. Because here in Europe too, Jew-hatred is rampant. That is why we too will have to move, because our policy against anti-Semitism is full of words, but where are the actions? And if something is already being done, it is mainly symptom control. Strong action is needed to address root causes. Let's start by banning the Muslim Brotherhood and expelling hate preachers. Let us also be very clear about asylum policy. If you do not recognize Israel as a state, you will not enter Europe. We also need to be clear about universities. Are your campuses breeding grounds for anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism? Then we turn off the European money tap. Because the time of papping and keeping wet is over. You have to act hard before it's too late. The Jewish community must be able to count on us.

Mrs Strolenberg, it is not at all unbelievable that we have this debate. It is very important that we have this debate. There is more than freedom, there is more than women's rights. Women also have a responsibility. Society has a responsibility, and I am convinced that the unborn life is God-given life. That we bear the responsibility for that, that we have to protect it and that we cannot freely dispose of it. And that is why I say "no" to abortion today.

Mr President, the people of Myanmar are suffering so much and you hear and read very little about it. It's sad! The military junta has a real reign of terror against its own population. Known are of course the stories about the Rohingya, who sought a safe haven in surrounding countries and now reside in the overcrowded camps under often very degrading conditions. Less well known is that among those 2 million Rohingya in the camp at Cox's Bazar are about 2,500 Christians. Life is extra hard for them. They have to deal with subordination, humiliation, destruction of property, rapes and even murder. Radical Muslim groups thwart church services and commit destruction. Even the UN does not take their complaints seriously. This injustice should not be ignored. That is why I call on the Commission to pay attention to this forgotten group of Christians in all its diplomatic efforts.

Mr President, I must tell you that I am very disappointed with the input of both the Council and the European Commission, because they have not at all addressed the exploitation of motherhood, in particular surrogacy, when that is indeed on the agenda today. Look at the exploitation of vulnerable women, which often involves surrogacy. A lively trade has developed in babies. And that's not okay, of course. Children are not a commodity. But I also look at the fact that with surrogacy, the biological mother often becomes completely out of the picture, immediately after birth. And that while a child is in principle really best off when it grows up with its own biological father and mother. So here very clear ethical boundaries are being crossed. All the more reason to move towards a global ban on surrogacy. I challenge the Council and the Commission to take a clear position on this. I have the impression that the Minister has not listened to me, but her officials are certainly willing to brief her.