Debate contributions by Ilaria SALIS

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, everyone can see what is happening in the United States: the great deportation is underway, the immigrant hunt turns into mass round-ups, the ICE behaves like the Gestapo. The self-styled patriots reveal themselves for what they really are: of vile white supremacists. In Europe the situation is no less serious, the right-wings obsessed with migrants are making it even worse. There is no ECI, but we have Frontex, the European agency that coordinates and supports national police. Frontex operates mainly at the borders of the Union and in third countries, often collaborating with authoritarian and brutal regimes. The Mediterranean has become the deadliest migration route in the world. Along the Balkan route, people die of cold, while gangs of fascists hunt down migrants. In Libya, real human traffickers imprison and torture people to prevent them from leaving. In Albania we now have our little Guantanamo ready. In CPR, human life is continually humiliated and offended. All over Europe, our fellow citizens without citizenship are treated like second-class human beings, over-exploited by the bosses, discriminated against by the state. But there is the same spirit of resistance that unites Minneapolis with NGOs that rescue migrants at sea, that unites the uprising in Los Angeles with the struggles of foreign workers in Europe, that connects the American underground railway with the European one. That is and always will be our spirit: Human and international solidarity, across borders.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Internet is an extraordinary tool, but it can also be really full of shit. With the advent of artificial intelligence, unprecedented and disturbing levels are being reached. Recently we have witnessed a serious and disgusting phenomenon: the images of thousands of people – mainly women, but also minors – virtually stripped through Grok, the artificial intelligence of Platform X. Let's be clear, the responsibility, first of all, is for that horrible patriarchal and sexist mentality of millions of users. However, a social network that allows and encourages the creation of deepfake Throws gasoline on the fire. Today, social media is an essential infrastructure for communication and our lives. Those who manage them wield enormous power and should meet criteria of responsibility, transparency and values, which is evidently lacking in unscrupulous and moral capitalists like Elon Musk. What are we waiting for in Europe to free ourselves from dependence on these American private platforms and start building public social networks? Technology and artificial intelligence are never neutral. They must be governed democratically, subject to public scrutiny, and guided by clear ethical principles.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, work on the anti-discrimination directive has been virtually at a standstill since 2008, 17 years ago. In 17 years, the European Union has failed to take a concrete step forward on a matter that should be obvious, elementary, shared. Or maybe not? Or, perhaps, is there really someone in this House and in national governments who thinks it is legitimate to discriminate against a person because of his religion, disability, age or sexual orientation? If so, at least have the courage to say it openly, because here we are not talking about a radical reform, which would be necessary, we are talking about the minimum trade union: ensure fair treatment for all, without exception. Instead, the phantom "Europe of rights" remains blocked by national vetoes and right-wing majorities, unable to defend even the foundations of human dignity. The freedom to discriminate is not a freedom: It's an abuse. And it is an abuse that makes our society more unfair and more violent. If the European Union is unable to affirm this minimum principle, then we must seriously ask ourselves what Europe is today.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we too, like The Left, are challenging the mandate for dossiers on so-called safe third countries and countries of origin. The reason is very simple, but of extreme gravity: these dossiers effectively sanction the destruction of the right of asylum in Europe. Our political union stems from the tragedy of the world wars and the millions of refugees and displaced persons they produced. It should be based on clear and non-negotiable values and principles: openness, protection, equality and recognition of the rights of every human being. Today, however, these principles are sacrificed on the altar of the war on migration, a stupid racist war fought for propaganda reasons and certainly not for real necessity. Those responsible for this serious democratic backsliding on the skin of migrants sit in this Chamber, precisely in the right wing of the Chamber: They range from the popular to the far right, that is, to the political heirs of the fascisms that those wars provoked. Is this the new majority on which the von der Leyen Commission is based? Let us know.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, for over two and a half years the people of Sudan have been engulfed in a heinous war between two military forces, both legitimised, financed and supported by foreign powers pursuing imperialist interests or seeking partners to control migration, such as the European Union. But to really understand what is happening you have to take a step back: Between 2018 and 2019, Sudan was criss-crossed by a powerful revolutionary wind. Millions of people, young people, women have mobilized through strikes, mass demonstrations for rights and social justice: They wanted to end the al-Bashir regime and succeeded in overthrowing a 30-year military dictatorship and opening up a possibility of democratic transition. But while the insurgents were left alone by the international community, both the SAF and the SSR – the same two forces that are now clashing – then worked together to stifle the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people in blood; From there developed the devastating conflict that is now destroying the country. Behold, when it comes to crushing a revolution, our enemies unite; When it comes to sharing power, war is waged on the skin of the population. And we, what have we done? What do we do to support the people of Sudan?

Madam President, everyday in Gaza and across Palestine, people are injured, killed, displaced. Land is stolen. Humanity denied. Life suppressed. How did we get to this point? And what is our responsibility? This is not just a matter of international politics. It is also a matter of political economy, of capital, greed and profit. Private corporations actively fuel and profit from the Zionist settler colonial project, the occupation and the ongoing genocide. This is the key message of the latest UN report by Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. A powerful capitalistic machine of profit is feeding destruction. Arms manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, Leonardo and Thales supply the weapons and fuel military escalation. Tech giants such as Google, Amazon and Meta enable mass surveillance and repression with no ethical restraint. Construction and machinery firms like Caterpillar and Volvo deliver the bulldozers that demolish Palestinian homes. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a coordinated system of profit. This is racial colonial capitalism. Genocide continues because it is profitable. But we have a duty. The European Union must suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement now.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, freedom of assembly in Orban's Hungary? Only for those who are comfortable with the regime. On the one hand, Pride is banned, the freedom of expression of thousands of Hungarian and European citizens is censored, the LGBTQI+ community is criminalized with the absurd infamous accusation of being dangerous for children and, on the other hand, the neo-Nazi parade of the so-called Day of Honor is tolerated, which every February infests the streets of Budapest. An international gathering of far-right militants, racists, homophobes, supremacists, religious fanatics, bearers of hatred and violence, who pose a real danger to anyone who does not conform to their horrendous ideology. This is the face of a regime compromised with the more radical far right. An obscurantist power not so different from the Taliban or the ayatollahs. We can't accept that. If the Hungarian government tramples on fundamental freedoms and represses minorities, then it must be sanctioned and isolated. European taxpayers' money must not finance the repression of a regime. Solidarity with Pride and those who will have the courage to demonstrate for a better and free Hungary. Solidarity with Maja on hunger strike, who resists with dignity and pride... (The speaker refused a "blue card" question)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, while academic freedom is openly under attack in Trump's United States, even in Europe we cannot sleep soundly. We have seen this in the repression of the sacrosanct protests against the genocide in Gaza and against the colonial occupation of Palestine: truncheoned students and researchers, cancelled lectures and unfounded and spurious accusations of anti-Semitism. It's a serious, very serious signal. The initiative Choose Europe for Science This is important and I support it: Europe should always be a refuge, a place of freedom, cooperation and hope. It would be nice – I would add – if it were also good for migrants and asylum seekers, who do other jobs and come from other parts of the world; But it's not. We open the doors only to excellence, as if knowledge were not always the result of collective work, often invisible and almost always underpaid. It is a short-sighted vision, which betrays an elitist idea of knowledge: the capitalist idea. The University must be defended in its entirety, as a community, as a place of shared development and not as a showcase of individual merit. In Italy, those who do research are often poor workers, trapped in chronic precariousness, forced to impose mobility, with devastating material and psychological consequences. Jobs are few, prospects heavy, often only abroad. The University is not built by selecting a few excellent but by guaranteeing everyone access to knowledge. Therefore, we need ambitious, inclusive, mass public policies. We need real investment in research, because the production of knowledge is the best added value that we can generate, not only from an economic point of view but, above all, from a cultural, social and democratic point of view.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Hungary is a European country held hostage by an authoritarian and corrupt regime. Ladies and gentlemen, let us look at the most recent events. How does a liberticidal government work in the age of artificial intelligence? Viktor Orbán shows us the way: First, he bans Pride, branding the LGBTQI+ community as ‘dangerous for children’ – perhaps suggested by his friend Putin. He then threatens to use facial recognition to identify and punish anyone who dares to show up anyway. Congratulations! And on the foreign policy front? Orbán does not disappoint there either. After expressing solidarity with Marine Le Pen – convicted of stealing millions of public funds – she now receives in Budapest, with all honours, the war criminal Netanyahu. Instead of arresting him, as requested by the International Criminal Court, he welcomes him with open arms. Therefore, we knew well that the rule of law in Hungary was now reduced to rubble. But here you are overcoming every limit: The contempt of law and civil liberties has reached a point of no return. But fortunately, despite the propaganda, many Hungarians are opening their eyes. Fascism will be defeated.

Madam President, the concept of a human smuggler has been weaponised to justify increasingly repressive migration policies. The EU criminalises smugglers, even those who act without profit. Migrants themselves, such as boat drivers, as well as those offering humanitarian or solidarity-based support. But there is an undeniable truth we must face: as long as safe and legal migration routes are unavailable, people will continue to rely on smugglers to exercise their fundamental right to freedom of movement. Yes, there are unscrupulous individuals who exploit migrants, exposing them to serious risks and these people must be held accountable. However, we must not overlook those who act with an ethic of care, supporting de facto migrants in their search for a better life. Let's remember that, by the same logic, the fishermen who helped Jews escape the Holocaust would be labelled as criminals today. If you truly seek to end smuggling-related violence, the solution is clear: we must open safe, legal migration routes.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, with the shameful operation in Albania of colonial memory, the Italian Government has become the vanguard of a European attack against migration and the right to asylum. The attempt, which has so far failed, to outsource detention in a concentration camp on foreign territory and to speed up the procedures for assessing and repatriating migrants represents: 1, a cruel suffering and humiliation for people deported to the high seas and treated as expendable humanity; 2, a proof of absolute incompetence, since the illegality of the operation was evident from the outset; 3, a disturbing right-wing forcing of international law that protects the rights of people on the move. Normally, a government that has exposed its country to such an international figment would have to resign for manifest incapacity and lack of ethics. The European Parliament should distance itself and condemn him. Operation Albania should be discontinued immediately, while we must work to create safe channels for migration.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, while city centres are becoming increasingly inaccessible due to tourism and speculation, rents in Italy are increasing by 10 % per year. More and more people are being squeezed by inflation and low wages, struggling to pay rent, and many risk eviction. Many others, especially the most disadvantaged and young, cannot even afford a home. Tens of thousands are forced to occupy abandoned and dilapidated housing as the only alternative. Faced with this housing emergency, the Italian government offers no real support to the inhabitants, but only the demonization of the occupants and the tightening of penalties. There is an urgent need for action and I call on the future Commissioner to take action to address this serious social issue. First of all, there is a need for a new public social housing plan that is efficient and inclusive. With regard to occupations of public housing left empty, it is necessary to block evictions and regularization procedures of the occupants. Finally, it is necessary to regulate private market rental prices and provide a rental bonus.

Madam President, dear colleagues, I know Hungary from its darkest place: from prison. I was held in pre-trial detention in harsh conditions for 15 months. Thanks to the solidarity of thousands of anti-fascist citizens, I stand in front of you today as a free woman. The Presidency of this Hungarian Government is highly inappropriate. A united Europe was born on the ashes of the defeat of Nazi fascism as a project of international cooperation. It's a bitter paradox to have a presidency led by someone whose goal is to dismantle the EU in the name of nationalism. Hungary under Viktor Orbán has become an illiberal and oligarchic regime, an authoritarian ethnic state. Some even call it modern tyranny. What is sure, is that now the rule of law and media freedoms are not guaranteed. Dissent is criminalised, civil society repressed. While loyal oligarchs have grown rich, social and regional inequalities have become worse. The rights of minorities are violated and racism has become mainstream. The EU is far from being perfect – neoliberal policies, social inequalities, double standards in foreign policy and subordination to US influence. But none of this concerns Mr Orbán. His real targets are minorities, migrants, social justice, freedom of expression and the rule of law. He fuels resentment among the Hungarian people against the so-called 'degenerate Europe' to create an external enemy and consolidate his own power. Mr Orbán has strong ties with the worst far-right forces, both in Europe and internationally. This new, dangerous form of fascism represents the authoritarian variant of today's global capitalism. They are fraudulent enemies of the working class and of friendship among people, a threat to those who aspire to live in freedom. Finally, I want to express my full solidarity with Maja, the German anti-fascist and non-binary activist who was extradited from Germany and now detained in Hungary. European democracy must stand firm and refuse to cooperate with Mr Orbán's oppressive and authoritarian regime.