Speeches

Madam President, thank you very much. For many years, my country, Sweden, has been the model for many in terms of equality, democracy and equality. We still stand out, but now for other reasons. Since last autumn, Sweden has a party with its roots in Nazism in the foundations of the government. Sure, it goes through a journey and occasionally cleans away in its membership and tones down the rhetoric. But the Sweden Democrats are still the same as they have always been – a party whose policy is that there is only one us and one judgment depending on where we were born. What has changed is the right. Giving influence to far-right parties was previously unthinkable. Today, the reality is different. In Sweden, they conduct joint election campaigns, negotiate the state budget and have officials in the Government Offices. This is how the normalization of right-wing extremism takes place. Sweden continues to be the role model, but nowadays it is not for democracy fighters and feminists, but instead for right-wing extremists, with inspirational trips to, among others, Poland and Hungary. This needs to change!

Mr President, thank you very much. In the last ten years, democracy in the world has unfortunately receded, and we are now back at the same levels as before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Around the world, we see how countries that have previously developed in a democratic direction are now making a U-turn. Developments in Kyrgyzstan are one such example, but also in countries such as Afghanistan, Tunisia, Poland and others. The democratic setbacks are of different degrees, but they have a few things in common. Media freedom is restricted, civil society and dissidents are silenced, the judiciary is affected, the LGBTQ movement and women's rights are restricted. Attending to civil society and the media is one of the first things that is done. It is about everything from threats of funds being withdrawn to the imprisonment of activists in the organizations that criticize the government. Every step in an undemocratic direction should be noted and fought. The EU has a responsibility to stand up for fundamental, fundamental rights. We must therefore clearly point towards developments in Kyrgyzstan.

Madam President, thank you very much. The humanitarian situation in Sudan is extremely serious, especially for women and children. The situation risks deteriorating further. Thousands of people have fled their homes. Children are dying due to food and water shortages and lack of medical care. Childcare is almost silent. As is so often the case, rape is also used as a weapon in the conflict. Women played a leading role in the Sudanese revolution in 2019. Some of us remember the iconic image of the young student, Alla Salah, who dressed in white caught the world's attention. The EU and the international community must step up their efforts to ensure a permanent ceasefire. whereas there is a particular responsibility on the EU to support civil society organisations and women’s organisations in Sudan that can contribute to long-term peace and democracy; Following the Arab Spring's failure to deliver on its promises and the setbacks in Afghanistan, a kind of resignation has appeared in the West. Devotion, however, is our worst enemy for a more peaceful world.

Madam President, thank you very much. As a feminist and social democrat, gender equality and women's rights are obvious priorities for me. For decades, I have worked to combat men's violence against women and to ensure that the fundamental rights of every woman and girl are fully respected. In this work, it is obvious to me that women's bodies must be protected from all forms of exploitation and commercialization. Work for a gender-equal Europe is far too slow, and around our Union there are movements that are even working hard to ensure that a gender-equal Europe never becomes a reality. In debate after debate, vocal right-wing conservatives stand in this hall and oppose proposals and measures that defend the human rights of both women and LGBTIQ people. Once they take the floor under the theme of women's rights, the underlying purpose is quite different. I would therefore like to stress that, in addition to ensuring the rights of children and women and working for a gender-equal and equal society, the EU must also strengthen and guarantee the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ people and rainbow families.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. The Commission's proposal for an ethics body is simply not up to par. The body lacks both investigative powers and the possibility of sanctions. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for an ethics body with common standards for the EU institutions. Equal representation of the EU ethics body must then also be ensured – something else is not good enough. Unfortunately, the Commission proposal does not contain a word about gender equality. An explicit goal of the Ethics Council is to develop codes of conduct for members, for example regarding conflicts of interest, members' handling of gifts, etc. But not to mention sexual harassment and sexual abuse in connection with the Members' Code of Conduct is surprising to say the least. During #MeToo, several MEPs testified about a culture of silence in the European Parliament. Since then, it has been quiet again. Parliament shall adopt a resolution on the issue of the Ethics Council during the July session. The report will serve as a mandate for Parliament's negotiators. Leaving out the gender perspective would be a missed opportunity.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. “ Women's courage and their stories shook us and forced us to confront reality, and rightly so. Much has been done since then, but far from enough. Legislation that genuinely provides protection and support to victims of sexual harassment, as well as clear employer responsibility that protects employees from harassment, is needed. But let's be clear that responsibility lies with all of us. We must challenge and question the structures, attitudes and norms that accept sexual harassment. We need to be aware of our own power and use it to create change. I am proud of the report that we are now working on. Now we need to move from words to deeds, so that the meaning of the report is also respected in practice. Only then will we strengthen women's right to a life free from violence.

Madam President, thank you very much. I have worked on the Istanbul Convention from the beginning, as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. While we know that one in three women in the EU has been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence, several countries have chosen not to ratify the Convention. While more than half of women in the EU have experienced sexual harassment, the EU ratification process has been lengthy. This is a betrayal of all women and girls, and of society at large. I look forward to the EU now finally ratifying this convention, and at the same time putting hard pressure on all Member States to do the same. Equally important is that we have the directive on violence against women in place. Men's violence against women is a threat to gender equality, democracy and society at large. Therefore, the EU must do what is necessary to stop men's violence against women once and for all. We really need to stand up for a vision of zero together.

Madam President, thank you very much. Democracy is in decline in the world. The last 32 years of democratic progress have been wiped out according to several major institutions conducting global democracy measurements. When democracy backs down, a vacuum is created that is filled with populism and extremism. As democracy declines, resistance to gender equality also increases. Restrictions on women's rights come first. Previous victories are then lost, such as safe abortion, access to education, or the prerequisites for having an income of your own. We know that the women's movement is a crucial force for peace, while women are excluded from peace negotiations and foreign policy, despite the fact that women and children are most affected by wars and conflicts. Shouldn't that be a reason to strengthen women's representation at all levels? In all relevant contexts, the EU should pursue a feminist foreign policy, one that works to strengthen the rights, representation and resources of girls and women. It has been, and always will be, one of my priorities. We need to stop the backsliding on women's and girls' rights that is happening right now. This is where the EU's action plays a crucial role. Gender equality is an obvious goal in itself, but also a prerequisite for peace and democracy.

Mr President, thank you very much. Afghanistan is today the world’s worst country for women and girls to live in. We are now witnessing how women’s and girls’ rights continue to be curtailed. We know that this is a deliberate strategy by the Taliban to erase women from the public sphere. Since the Taliban took power in autumn 2021, the backlash against gender equality is a fact, and it has enormous consequences. Banning education for women and girls will not only affect the development of all children, but it will seriously hamper women's opportunities for economic independence and independent living. Education is not only a right in itself, but it is a pathway to a job, to a decent standard of living and to being able to participate in society. With the Taliban now banning education for women and girls over the age of 12, it also has other devastating consequences. Forced marriages are increasing, gender-based and sexual violence is increasing and prostitution is growing. In this deeply worrying development, there are civil society organisations and individuals making heroic efforts to promote human rights and the equal value of all. This is despite the fact that they are risking their own safety and their own lives. One of them is Matiullah Wesa, a 30-year-old activist who has run the organisation Pen Path since 2009. The organization works to ensure education for young girls. It is therefore deeply regrettable and totally unacceptable that Taliban security forces arrested him in Kabul on 27 March. Today, neither we nor his family have any information about where he is or how he is feeling. The Taliban regime should immediately release him and other activists arrested for campaigning for the right of girls and women to education. The Commission and the EEAS must step up their support for those organisations which, despite the situation, are finding solutions for the education of girls and women in Afghanistan. Europe must not betray all these young girls and women who dream of a better world and a better life, both for themselves and for their families.

Mr President, thank you very much. More than 500 people, including 50 children, have lost their lives in the Mediterranean this year. It's people like you and me, but born in a different part of the world. People who risk their lives because the alternative is unthinkable. Who would risk never seeing their child smile again if you had a better option? Italy's migrant camp on Lampedusa is built for about 350 people, but today there are 3,000 migrants, mostly women and children. It demonstrates the need for a new common migration policy and a common reception. Today's situation is untenable. The alternative is not to discourage people who are considering fleeing to Europe by emptying the sea of rescue operations. If we remove the ambulances from the street, there will be no fewer accidents, but fewer will survive. Saving lives and countering human smuggling are not opposites, but must go hand in hand. We can take our responsibility together. So let's take it, too.

– Mr President, thank you very much. No country in the world has achieved gender equality so far. We see how men's violence against women is increasing, the number of girls being married off is increasing and women's access to a safe and secure abortion is being removed. The consequences of the pandemic have increased poverty and affected girls and women the most. At the same time, we see how women in countries such as Afghanistan, Iran and Russia are deprived of their most basic rights. Developments are going backwards and the setbacks for gender equality are a fact. It is now time for the European Union to decide on guidelines for a new budget, and then I have an agreement that I want you all to take with you. The current international situation shows that we cannot reduce the appropriations that contribute to a more equal world. On the contrary, gender equality must permeate all policy areas and thus all budgetary areas. When Member States and countries around the world restrict women's rights and the right to their own bodies, the EU needs to act. EU support for girls’ sexual and reproductive health needs to be strengthened, not dismantled. The EU's work on gender equality needs to be strengthened and mainstreamed throughout the budget in all areas.

Thanks for the question. Well, then we can send another signal now that we agree on long-term sustainable migration and stand up for the right to seek asylum, and receive migrants in a dignified manner so that they can apply for asylum. Then it is important that all parties in here now negotiate so that we get a long-term sustainable migration where we stand up for people's equal value and the right to seek asylum.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. For every boat that sinks in the Mediterranean, this means that more parents will never see their children smile again. The worst is affecting the children. We must never forget that it could have been your child or my child who was in the boat if we had been born in another part of the world. Migrants are more than numbers on a piece of paper. In desperation, people risk their lives. When there are no legal routes into Europe, this will continue, and people's lives will be put in the hands of smugglers. In anticipation of common rules, countries are now competing to see who can behave the worst against migrants. It is said that it is someone else's responsibility. There must be an end to relinquishing responsibility. Of course, Europe cannot help everyone, but we can take on our responsibilities. Let us therefore take responsibility for a long-term sustainable migration policy, where those who have the right to seek asylum may do so. We have a shared responsibility for our Mediterranean Sea and the fatal accidents that we see. (The speaker agreed to reply to a post ("blue card"))

Mr President, thank you very much. It is a victory for the Georgian people that the criticised draft law on foreign agents has been withdrawn. Systematically attacking and undermining civil society organisations is a proven grip of the Kremlin and all the world's dictatorships. According to Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili, the bill looked very much like Russian politics. The threat to democracy and human rights in Georgia is by no means averted. More than 80% of Georgians want to join the EU. The Georgian government must now listen to the Georgian people. All political leaders in the country have a responsibility to manage. People's longing for freedom and dignity, away from Russia's authoritarian clutches, must be supported more persistently by the EU. There is now a window of opportunity, and then it becomes a question for the Commission: How can the Commission help to work strategically towards achieving this and candidate status as well?

Madam President, thank you very much. Parts of the summit from last week feel shameful for our Europe. Instead of discussing the Pact's basic idea, i.e. taking joint responsibility for people who are fleeing, it was also about where we should build fences and who should finance them. Isn't the EU about tearing down walls between people instead of building new ones? Is Donald Trump the new source of inspiration? Building walls is both populist, meaningless and a total waste of our tax money. According to conservatives and right-wing extremists, no money should be given to support people on the run. But to put millions of euros on a wall, then there seems to be no problem. Walls are not only meaningless, they are above all an act that involves anything but taking joint responsibility for people on the move and safeguarding the right to seek asylum. Sweden was a driving force in the founding of the Pact and now, as a country holding the Presidency, we must stand up for the Pact's basic idea. However, the Swedish government is dependent on a far-right party, which makes me very worried about where this discussion will land. I hope I'm wrong and that it goes in the right direction.

Mr President, thank you very much. I have been to Tunisia several times to help strengthen the work on democracy, gender equality and respect for human rights. Now witnessing the country's development is very worrying, as Tunisia can no longer act as a democratic example in the Middle East and North Africa. In January, thousands of people marched in protest against President Saied, who is accused of reintroducing autocracy while the economic crisis escalates. At first, President Saied's takeover was supported, but it has become increasingly clear to the population that the country's economic and social crisis cannot be solved by a centralised presidential office in which Parliament's role is being overturned. I expect the Commission to put much more pressure on the Tunisian Government. The dismantling of fragile Tunisian democracy must have clear consequences in terms of EU budget support. The EU must develop a new Tunisian strategy that relocates budget support to democracy promotion, civil society, women's organisations and the trade union movement. Only then can Tunisia return to the spirit of dialogue that characterised the country after the Jasmine Revolution.

Madam President, thank you very much. I have heard countless testimonies about men's violence against women, mothers who are brutally murdered by their children's father and the children who then become orphans. Jonathan expressed that he wanted a staircase up to heaven so he could see his mother again. Women and children who live in hiding cannot live a free life because of psychological and economic violence. A violation of human rights. One of our most widespread social problems. And here the Istanbul Convention is a very important instrument and it should be self-evident that the European Union and all the Member States ratify this Convention. I have very high expectations that the Swedish Presidency is now putting pressure on everyone to ratify. Men's violence against women must be brought to an immediate end, requiring political will, action and the prioritisation of women's human rights.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. No country in the world has achieved gender equality so far. The backlash on sexual and reproductive health issues is obvious. With concern, we note an increase in men's violence against women. The most tragic example is Afghanistan, which has terribly introduced gender partheid. whereas women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence; We know that rape of girls and women is cynically used as a weapon of war. This must end. It is time for the EU to mainstream gender equality in all its policies and to work systematically in multilateral and bilateral relations for global access to sexual and reproductive health and against male violence against girls and women. whereas women human rights defenders, activists and journalists face online threats and hatred on a daily basis; Conservative and backward forces are working systematically to weaken women's and girls' rights and take control of their lives. The progress in gender equality policies that has been achieved in our part of the world in recent centuries is under attack. We must have an equal Europe and Europe.

Madam President, thank you very much. As early as May, the World Health Organization stated that China’s zero-tolerance policy against COVID-19 is not sustainable. The virus cannot be eradicated by forcibly caring for people and nailing back their homes. However, the apartment fire in the city of Urumqi in Xinjiang province, where ten people tragically died, has inspired courageous manifestations across China. Peaceful protesters hold up empty white sheets of paper as a symbol of the censorship and political oppression suffered by the Chinese population. Instead of punishing the people, the authorities should listen to their calls, allow people to freely express their opinions and protest peacefully without fear of reprisals. whereas China’s violations of fundamental rights and freedoms must be placed at the centre of the EU’s relations with China and raised openly and transparently at the highest political level, as well as the forced abortions and sterilisations of Uyghur girls and women that also constitute a crime against humanity, as we have previously stated;

Madam President, thank you very much. Men's violence against women is the ultimate consequence of an unequal society. It affects girls, women and children every day, everywhere in the world. Women are killed because they are women. Cause of death: woman. Too many children grow up with violence as their everyday life. I have met many of these children as active in a women's shelter. Violence is preventable, but political will is required. It is good that the European Commission is now presenting proposals for directives on combating men's violence against women. Now we need to get the directive in place and demand that it be complied with. We also have the Istanbul Convention, which all countries should ratify. We socialists will not give up until men's violence against women has ceased. Together we must fight for women and men to have the same power to shape society and their own lives.

Mr President, thank you very much. It can be seen that the Commission is working hard to move forward with a European solution for asylum and migration. The fact that we have not progressed further in the negotiations since the 2015 refugee crisis is an understatement for the Member States. We need to ensure a dignified and humane reception for people seeking asylum in Europe. Not everyone who applies for asylum and goes to Europe has the right to asylum, but we still have an obligation to organise an orderly reception, to have a joint and several reception between the Member States, and to process asylum applications in accordance with the Geneva Convention. We know that women and children on the move are particularly vulnerable when they are in the hands of traffickers and can also be victims of human trafficking. The same is true of the dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean. That is why we need to agree in the EU on a common migration policy to prevent this from happening. It's time.