Debate contributions by Matjaž NEMEC

Mr. President! We live in a world where women build our society, but at the same time die in their homes. Every day 140 women die as a result of violence. Femicide happens every 10 minutes. Statistics are an alarming reminder that we have failed as a society. Violence against women is a violation of fundamental human rights and requires our collective responsibility. That is why we need a redefinition of sexual violence based on the model of "just yes means yes" at the level of the entire European Union. Slovenia is an example of good practice. Gender-based violence must be classified as an EU crime under Article 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Five Member States of the European Union have not yet ratified the Istanbul Declaration. I therefore call on Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia to put themselves on the side of protecting women. Let's start by creating a society that will not tolerate any form of violence. To quote Kofi Annan: Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful violation of human rights and perhaps the most widespread. It knows no geographical, cultural or income boundaries. As long as it exists, we cannot claim to be progressing towards unity, development and peace.

Madam President! Dear High Council! The effects of climate change are worsening every year and more than fifty different conflicts are taking place around the world. They testify above all to the dark side of human nature. We would be naive in the belief that we do not feel all the consequences both on the moral, human level and, of course, on the tangible ones. Strengthening a common European strategy on civil and defence preparedness is therefore essential. The ability to anticipate, prevent, manage and rapidly respond to all types of threats is crucial for our security. But today, more than ever, we need above all a peace strategy, a strategy to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, to put an immediate end to the horrific genocide in Gaza and the attacks on innocent civilians in Lebanon and the entire Middle East region, and to provide them with urgent humanitarian assistance and a perspective – to live at home, in their own country. Ensure a peaceful future for all generations, for all our children.

Madam President! It is not the policy of Pedro Sanchez or that of Spain that is the problem, but the ineffective and integrated migration policy of the European Union, which is not yet operational. Today, migration is driven by complex causes and crisis hotspots around the world, and our problem is not returns. But on the contrary, our biggest problem is that Europe continues to fund authoritarians in North Africa who are brutally oppressing their own citizens. As well as that Europe supports coastguards, who at the same time play the role of human smugglers. And also that Europe continues to send weapons to crisis hotspots as well as to Israel. How can Europe pretend so short-sightedly that our policies and actions have no consequences? Of course they have them. After eight years, we approved the Pact on Migration and Asylum before the elections this year. Although not ideal, it offers answers to the challenges of migration. Now we need to focus on the implementation of the adopted package, as well as on integration, effective treatment and, of course, on reception. But not on the likes of measures and words that will not really have an effect, as well as immigration to Albania. And by doing so, we will only accelerate and amplify the flow across the Western Balkans and, of course, accelerate its route to the north.

Madam President, dear colleagues, let us be very clear: the EU has strict rules in place which control and oversee the financing of the budget. Those rules were even reinforced last year with clear provisions and excluding any financing of terrorism. Today's debate that was put forward has nothing to do with terrorism, but is simply placed in the hands of the Netanyahu Government's agenda and their systematic attacks on UNRWA – the organisation which is a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees – with only one goal: that is the dehumanisation of Palestinian people and ethnic cleansing. The proposal for this debate is deeply rooted in racism, and it's based on levels of racism and extremism which we have not seen since World War Two. The attack on UNRWA and the United Nations is an attack on humanity and an attack on common values, international law and institutions. I strongly reject those attempts and this narrative. Let us remain human and on the right side of the history. Good luck.

Madam President, dear colleagues, what we are seeing in the Middle East is horror. We know how complex the region is, and tensions are running high for decades. Since the brutal Hamas attack a year ago, the whole Middle East has been drawn into this nightmare. Too many innocent people are dying every day since. Israel bombed seven different countries in the last week. International law and institutions are breaking down in front of our eyes. Europe and US must stop sending Israel arms! Our weapons are killing innocent people, more than a million people have already fled Lebanon, and the world leaders are saying nothing. There are no calls for peace, and we need a ceasefire on all fronts now. If only Israel accepts peace, hostages will be free. The wars can end. Otherwise, we must impose strong sanctions against Israel, suspend the Association Agreement, ban trade with the settlements and sanction extremists on all sides, including the Israeli Government. We demand action now. The agony must end.

Dear President! The world seems to have been put to a serious test. We are facing one of the darkest periods since the end of the Second World War. The conflict in the Middle East is escalating sharply, especially as those most in need of peace are the ones who reject it the most. The situation also remains serious in Ukraine and in more than fifty hotspots around the world. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly evident that not all lives are equal, as well as that the foundations of international cooperation, which we laid together after the Second World War, are seriously threatened. Increasingly, we are also faced with increasingly severe natural disasters. Our thoughts are with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina these days. So, honourable ones, we need a strong and united European response to crises and global conflicts and decisive action by the leaders of the European Union. With everything we have, we must stand up for peace and dialogue. Let us not succumb to the demonization of all those who set up a mirror for us. We must stand firm in the defence of international institutions and international law, in the defence of humanity.

Mr President. Dear High Council! In today's daily news, it's hard to avoid the black scenarios that women face in one way or another. Psychological violence, physical violence, extortion, sexual abuse, femicide. A staggering statistic that hasn't improved at all from year to year. What's more, the media landscape is overwhelmed by shocking and hard-to-understand stories of grave, years of abuse. Dear Sir/Madam, All the alarms are ringing. The situation of the society in which we live, where there is widespread fear among women of physical and sexual assault in everyday situations, where one in three women in Europe is the victim of physical or sexual violence, where every year more than two thousand women lose their lives because of violent partners – such a situation, respected – is intolerable and intolerable. We urgently need to step up the fight to eradicate gender-based violence. I expect concrete proposals from the new Commission and an active effort, including the inclusion of a definition of consent-based rape in EU law, in all Member States – there are no excuses – only yes, it means yes. Thank you very much.

Mr President. Dear High Council. The Schengen area is increasingly becoming a historical memory as one of Europe's greatest achievements. Although we adopted the Migration Pact and the reform of the Schengen rules just before the elections, Europe remains in a crunch. External crises, including the deepening conflict in the Middle East, are driving migration flows in Europe. Closing borders is not a magical and easy solution. People, even after nine years of surveillance, are still coming. The answer is to work more resolutely for peace and to find solutions to end conflicts around the world. Dear Sir/Madam, As one of the many millions of Europeans who live and come from the border areas of the Member States, it is precisely the sense of borderlessness with neighbouring countries that Schengen brings that gives us the sense of the European Union. The fact that the domestic Nova Gorica in Slovenia and the neighbouring Gorizia in Italy will host together next year and light up the first borderless European project Capital of Culture in history is the biggest message of cooperation and respect between the countries of the European Union. An event that, at its core, represents the Union's power to promote international cooperation and the dismantling of borders. That is also why I am opposed to all controls in Schengen. I can't imagine an event with border controls. Thank you very much.

Mr President! My 60 seconds of speech today go to women in Afghanistan, women who have been deprived of every second of speech, all freedom, the right to education and employment. They are practically erased from public life, but their silent screams for help are very loud. It is our moral duty to do everything in our power to end their nightmare as soon as possible. The Union must take on the role of instigator of the establishment of an independent investigation within the United Nations and the Criminal Court into the serious human rights violations in Afghanistan. We also need to step up all types of humanitarian aid for Afghan girls and women. We must resolutely counter sexual apartheid and condemn it as a crime against humanity, and restore women and girls to their voices and their basic rights. The key voice of Europe in Afghanistan will be the European Ambassador and a woman from my country, Slovenia, Veronika Bošković-Pohar. Allow me to wish all the best to both the Afghan women and, of course, the European Union from this city.

Mr President! Dear Commissioner Lenarčič! Last year, devastating floods hit Europe, including my country, Slovenia. It was one of the worst natural disasters we can remember. Europe's rapid action has also been crucial in these difficult times. I therefore welcome the rapid mobilisation of the European Solidarity Fund, which, among other things, has allocated EUR 428 million to the Republic of Slovenia. In doing so, I also call, as one of the negotiators in the European Parliament, for more resources to be allocated to solidarity in the future, for aid to be distributed more quickly, and for countries to be given more opportunities to make demands and map the damage. We also need to invest more in protective equipment and rescue systems. My thoughts are at this moment, especially with all those affected by this flood. My sincere condolences to all the families of the victims. In these difficult times, European solidarity and assistance to others fills us with hope. It is therefore imperative that we do the same to the countries affected today. Finally, thanks go to Commissioner Lenarčič for everything he has done to protect and save Europeans.

Madam President! Dear High Council! We are on the brink of a year-long war in Gaza. Israel is also committing genocide through the supply of Western weapons there. More than 41,000 people have been brutally killed, most of them children and women. Day after day, Israel continues to attack targets that enjoy special protection. These are schools, refugee centers, United Nations offices. No consequences. No responsibility for war crimes committed. It is terrifying and shameful, honourable, to see the obvious and conscious inaction of the United States and Europe. Occasional statements of regret are irrelevant. The EU must take action against those responsible for war crimes, first and foremost against representatives of the Israeli Government. Yesterday, at my initiative, 76 MEPs sent a letter to Borrell expressing their strong support for extending the EU sanctions also to the current ministers of the Israeli government. We must not stop talking about the atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. We continue to demand a ceasefire and accountability for all crimes. It is our moral and human duty.

Dear President! The last five years have not been easy. The mandate was marked by crises, war on European soil, COVID, as well as natural disasters. The European Commission reacted quickly. You have also responded to the historic floods in Slovenia, for which I thank you on behalf of the citizens. We won't forget that. On the other hand, you failed the rule of law test. I am also talking here about Schengen, which you never mention in your speeches. Illegal internal border controls have been in place for almost nine years. Despite the judgment of the European Court of Justice, you have never acted. So, will the European Union enforce its own rules? When are you going to take action, my dear? It will also be your ignorance of international law and humanity when it comes to Gaza. The people of Gaza are still starving. Israel continues to attack refugee centres, schools, buildings, the United Nations, the Red Cross. Thirty-nine thousand Palestinians have been killed. This is genocide, my dear. Are you going to impose sanctions on Israel? What would happen if your children were in Gaza? You mentioned financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. How, then, will you ensure that it is sufficient, sustainable and politically unconditional?