Verbatim report of proceedings of 23 November 2023
Date: 2023-11-23
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, parliamentary debate








C_202500984EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series














14.2.2025







            23 November 2023
            VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 23 NOVEMBER 2023
            
         
(C/2025/984)

Contents







1.

Opening of the sitting
4










2.

International day for the elimination of violence against women (debate)
4










3.

Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation – Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions) (joint debate – Judicial cooperation)
30










4.

Resumption of the sitting
36










5.

Voting time
36










5.1.

Standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation (A9-0354/2023 - Sirpa Pietikäinen, Marc Angel) (vote)
36










5.2.

Latest attacks against women and women's rights defenders in Iran, and Iran's arbitrary detention of EU nationals (B9-0477/2023, RC-B9-0478/2023, B9-0478/2023, B9-0479/2023, B9-0480/2023, B9-0481/2023, B9-0482/2023) (vote)
37










5.3.

The unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger (B9-0465/2023, RC-B9-0466/2023, B9-0466/2023, B9-0470/2023, B9-0471/2023, B9-0472/2023, B9-0473/2023) (vote)
37










5.4.

The killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia's occupying forces in Georgia (RC-B9-0468/2023, B9-0468/2023, B9-0469/2023, B9-0474/2023, B9-0475/2023, B9-0476/2023) (vote)
37










5.5.

Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (A9-0062/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand) (vote)
37










5.6.

Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions) (A9-0063/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand) (vote)
38










5.7.

Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2022 (A9-0333/2023 - Alex Agius Saliba) (vote)
38










5.8.

Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities (A9-0334/2023 - Arnaud Danjean) (vote)
38










5.9.

Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (A9-0331/2023 - Seán Kelly, Andreas Schieder) (vote)
38










5.10.

Innovative humanitarian aid strategy: spotlight on current and forgotten crises (A9-0321/2023 - Carlos Zorrinho) (vote)
38










5.11.

Job creation – the just transition and impact investments (A9-0342/2023 - Sara Matthieu) (vote)
38










5.12.

Harnessing talent in Europe's regions (A9-0325/2023 - Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro) (vote)
39










5.13.

The lack of legislative follow-up by the Commission to the PEGA resolution (B9-0464/2023, B9-0467/2023) (vote)
39










5.14.

Revised pollinators initiative – a new deal for pollinators (B9-0463/2023) (vote)
39










5.15.

European Union regulatory fitness and subsidiarity and proportionality – report on Better Law Making covering 2020, 2021 and 2022 (A9-0310/2023 - Catharina Rinzema) (vote)
39










5.16.

Monitoring the application of EU law in 2020, 2021 and 2022 (A9-0328/2023 - Catharina Rinzema) (vote)
39










6.

Resumption of the sitting
39










7.

Young researchers (debate)
39










8.

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
45










9.

Explanations of vote
45










9.1.

Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (A9-0062/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand)
45










9.2.

Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions) (A9-0063/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand)
46










9.3.

Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities (A9-0334/2023 - Arnaud Danjean)
46










9.4.

Innovative humanitarian aid strategy: spotlight on current and forgotten crises (A9-0321/2023 - Carlos Zorrinho)
47










9.5.

Job creation – the just transition and impact investments (A9-0342/2023 - Sara Matthieu)
47










9.6.

The lack of legislative follow-up by the Commission to the PEGA resolution (B9-0464/2023, B9-0467/2023)
48










9.7.

Revised pollinators initiative – a new deal for pollinators (B9-0463/2023)
48










10.

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted
49










11.

Dates of forthcoming sittings
49










12.

Closure of the sitting
49










13.

Adjournment of the session
49




Verbatim report of proceedings of 23 November 2023
                  


ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΠΑΠΑΔΗΜΟΥΛΗΣ


Αντιπρόεδρος

1.   Opening of the sitting

(Η συνεδρίαση αρχίζει στις 9.01)

2.   International day for the elimination of violence against women (debate)

Πρόεδρος. – Το επόμενο σημείο στην ημερήσια διάταξη είναι η συζήτηση επί της δήλωσης της Επιτροπής σχετικά με τη διεθνή ημέρα για την εξάλειψη της βίας κατά των γυναικών (2023/2990(RSP)).
               

Dubravka Šuica,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, dear honourable Members, we mark this international day on 25 November annually as, unfortunately, violence against women and girls remains a pervasive violation of human rights in the European Union and around the world.
Violence against women and girls remains one of the least prosecuted crimes, and it is a key barrier to progressing on women's rights and to safeguarding the common values of our Union as a whole. I thank this House and its Members for being a strong ally in keeping the eradication of violence against women and girls high on the European Union political agenda.
Since the adoption of the gender equality strategy in 2020, we have achieved significant progress in multiple areas of gender-based discrimination and equality, transforming our political commitments into meaningful actions.
We remain inspired by the vision of a brighter future and present for women and girls in all their diversity, in particular those facing gender based and domestic violence.
This year, the European Union finally acceded to the Istanbul Convention, marking a major step forward in making Europe a safer place for women and girls. The European Union is now bound by ambitious and comprehensive standards to prevent and combat gender-based violence, in judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement, and in its public administration.
But there is no single solution to such a deeply ingrained systemic issue. This is why our legislative proposal on combating violence against women and domestic violence is so important. I would like to thank this House for your invaluable support on this important matter.
The proposal includes the criminalisation of certain offences amounting to violence against women, such as rape based on a lack of consent, female genital mutilation, the non-consensual sharing of intimate and manipulated material, as well as cyber harassment and cyber incitement to violence or hatred.
Additionally, the proposal guarantees the protection of victims of violence against women and domestic violence, as well as their support and access to justice and the prevention of such forms of violence. Compared to the Istanbul Convention, it implements new obligations of the European Union following its accession to that convention in judicial cooperation in criminal matters.
As things stand, time is running out to adopt this directive before the upcoming European elections. We must keep pushing for progress. The European Commission very much appreciates the efforts of the European Parliament negotiating team. Let me notably thank the two co-rapporteurs, Evin Incir and Frances Fitzgerald, to ensure an outcome matching the ambition of our proposal.
Looking ahead, we are working on a recommendation to prevent and combat harmful practices against women and girls, as announced in our gender equality strategy. With this recommendation, we intend to encourage Member States to take action to address female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages, honour-related violence, forced abortion and forced sterilisation and other harmful practices that disproportionately affect women and girls.
On 29 and 30 November, the Commission will hold the first meeting of the newly established European network on the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence, which will bring together Member State experts and key stakeholders to explore emerging issues and discuss new practices. The role of men and boys in the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence is key and will be a key focus of the network.
In the G7 setting, the European Union contributes to the strengthening of the accountability of the leaders' political commitment and to ensure gender mainstreaming is a cross-sectoral principle in the G7's activities. We also continue to be fully engaged as co-leader of the Generation Equality Forum, Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence and UN Women.
On the International Day, the Commission is joining the UN's global campaign to end violence against women. The European Union expresses its unwavering support for women and girls who have suffered from violence as victims and survivors, and we condemn the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war.
We stand with our partners, civil society, women's rights groups and human rights defenders in their call for justice and accountability.

Frances Fitzgerald,
on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, good morning, colleagues. For the fifth time since we took our seats in 2019, we stand here to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which takes place on Saturday.
Sadly, as we all know in this House, we have an epidemic of violence, and even increased numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have to ask the question: is there another crime which is so widespread and which is so relatively ignored? If the same numbers who are victims of violence against women were victims of terrorism or gangland crime, we would have a much more robust response.
There is legislative progress, and we know that – we've seen it in this House with Istanbul, hard won. Now we have the opportunity to conclude a robust directive right across Europe – and the first, surprisingly, of its kind to tackle violence against women and domestic violence. Evin Incir and myself are working hard on this directive, but I have to tell you, colleagues, it is an uphill battle with the Council.
I have to wonder: why on earth are the Member States not rushing towards this goal, refusing to be honest and say that without robust relationship-and-sexuality education, we will never overcome this phenomenon; and, crucially, refusing at present that the most heinous crime of rape should be included in the directive?
Why is it so hard for the Member States to accept this? We have all sorts of excuses, but, if you're serious about this issue, surely rape should be included, and the issue of consent, in any directive on violence against women.
We know, of course, that these attitudes and issues we are dealing with are deeply embedded in our societies. We know there are many cultural issues, and we need to organise the way we shape our relationships and our power relationships in our countries. Much to do.
But I do want to invite Council to adopt a very robust, comprehensive and committed directive that will engage all of society, so that we can begin to see a decrease in numbers, and so that maybe some years from now, we will be able to say that Europe is the first continent to eradicate violence against women.

Iratxe García Pérez,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor presidente, una vez más conmemoramos en el Parlamento Europeo el Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia contra la Mujer. Ojalá no tuviéramos que hacerlo. Ojalá este debate no se tuviera que reiterar año tras año. Pero mientras las mujeres sigan siendo atacadas, agredidas, asesinadas por el mero hecho de ser mujeres, aquí estaremos uniendo nuestras voces, salvando nuestras diferencias, con un mensaje claro y unísono de apoyo y solidaridad con las mujeres que son víctimas de violencia de género y con sus familias, y especialmente con sus hijos, que muchas veces quedan huérfanos de su madre por el terrorismo machista de sus propios padres.
               

                  La violencia contra las mujeres no distingue de clases sociales, ni niveles culturales, ni origen geográfico, ni credo religioso. Ocurre en todos los segmentos de la sociedad y en todos los lugares del mundo. También en nuestra civilizada Europa —aunque algunos pretendan negarlo—, donde una de cada tres mujeres sufrirá en algún momento de su vida algún tipo de violencia.
               

                  Hemos dado un importante paso adelante. La Unión Europea ha ratificado por fin el Convenio de Estambul, pero seguimos avanzando. Tenemos que seguir avanzando. Ahora mismo tenemos sobre la mesa una propuesta de Directiva para luchar contra la violencia contra las mujeres.
               

                  Señores del Consejo, también uno mi voz para pedir que hagan un esfuerzo de entendimiento —como lo estamos haciendo aquí en esta Cámara— para que esta Directiva pueda hacerse realidad.
               

                  Solo sí es sí. El sexo sin consentimiento es una violación. Esto tiene que aparecer y tiene que estar integrado dentro de la Directiva. Y explotar sexualmente a una mujer no es solo vender su cuerpo, es también forzarla a tener sexo sin su consentimiento. No perdamos esta oportunidad de contar con una Directiva útil para defender y proteger a todas las mujeres que sufren violencia de género. A todas, también a las que han sido violadas, que no podemos dejar fuera de esta cobertura europea.
               

                  Y quiero recuperar nuestra reivindicación de que se añada la violencia de género a la lista de delitos incluidos en el Tratado, que ya contempla el tráfico de seres humanos y la explotación sexual de mujeres y niños.
               

                  La señora Von der Leyen recogió el guante al inicio de su mandato y nos anunció que presentaría una propuesta. Pero ha llegado una propuesta que es descafeinada, que no es suficiente. Necesitamos una propuesta que incluya realmente los delitos de odio, pero que también incluya la violencia de género, que es mucho más que un delito de odio. Es la violación de los derechos humanos más extendida en el mundo y representa el máximo cruel exponente de la desigualdad entre hombres y mujeres.
               

                  Solo así podremos tener una definición común de violencia de género que incluya todos los supuestos de violencia, que pueda aplicarse de forma uniforme en toda la Unión Europea y que permita perseguir a los agresores y proteger a las víctimas en todos los países de la Unión Europea para que los delitos no queden impunes.
               

                  Termino esta intervención expresando nuestro reconocimiento a todas las organizaciones que trabajan en la defensa de los derechos de las mujeres, a todas las organizaciones que trabajan en la protección de las mujeres víctimas de violencia de género, y recordando a todas las mujeres que hoy no pueden escuchar este debate porque su vida ha acabado en manos del terrorismo machista.
               

María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos,
en nombre del Grupo Renew. – Señor presidente, efectivamente, un año más nos reunimos aquí para hablar de un drama terrible, que es la violencia contra las mujeres y niñas en el mundo y una realidad cruel en nuestro espacio en la Unión Europea.
               

                  Según los últimos datos que tenemos, cincuenta mujeres mueren asesinadas a la semana en la Unión Europea. Sabíamos que necesitábamos una Directiva para luchar contra la violencia de género. Hoy pensaba, sinceramente, que en este atril todos nuestros discursos iban a ser para celebrar que teníamos esta Directiva. No podemos hacerlo por una realidad que hay que denunciar hoy en este Parlamento: porque no hay ninguna voluntad política en el Consejo para avanzar en esta Directiva. Todo son obstáculos. Hay un problema importante, que es incluir la violación dentro de la lista de crímenes. Y hay que hacerlo.
               

                  Quiero también ser muy clara hoy, aquí. Este Parlamento no va a dar el sí a una Directiva que no contemple la violación como un crimen dentro de la misma. No lo vamos a hacer por muchas razones, pero hay una muy importante: porque estaríamos defraudando a millones de mujeres en Europa, a millones de organizaciones de mujeres que llevan tiempo luchando por esta Directiva y no les podemos ofrecer una Directiva vacía donde los Estados miembros no van a cambiar ninguna de sus legislaciones para protegerlas más, donde se niegan a incluir la violencia y a realizar cualquier cambio en sus regímenes internos. Queremos una Directiva para proteger la vida de las mujeres y, si no la obtenemos, el mensaje al Consejo es claro: no diremos sí a esa Directiva.
               

Terry Reintke,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, not one more, ni una más, and then there is another one, and another one, and another one. Like now in Italy, where a woman was brutally murdered – the suspect her ex-partner, again. She is the 53rd case, just in Italy, just this year.
I don't know how you feel about this, but I'm fucking furious because men believe that their own, their girlfriends, their daughters, their sisters, that they are the ones who can take decisions over their lives, their freedom and their decisions. I believe that is so deeply rooted in patriarchal power systems. Every man who cannot accept that their wife wants a divorce and chooses violence, every father who cannot accept that their daughter wants to choose freely what their job is going to be and chooses violence, every ex-partner who cannot accept that their girlfriend has a new partner and chooses violence, all of these men are part of a bigger patriarchal problem.
Our societies have to stand up to this violence. That is why the directive against gender-based violence is so urgently needed, including, of course, as the colleagues have said, a strong and comprehensive definition of rape. And let me tell you this: since I can remember, there have been a number of Member States who continuously told us all the things that we cannot do from the European level when it comes to gender-based violence, with legal arguments that have been proven wrong.
The debate around the Istanbul Convention clearly shows that if we in this Parliament give up the first time a Member State raises legal concerns, we will not get anywhere. But if we fight, we can make it. The EU is going to accede to the Istanbul Convention, a success, colleagues, of this Parliament and the EU is also going to adopt a strong legislation against gender-based violence. And again, it will be because of the work done in this Parliament, because we know that we owe this to the many victims of gender-based violence in Europe and all the other women living in Europe. We are going to continue this fight. We are not going to give up.

Margarita de la Pisa Carrión,
en nombre del Grupo ECR. – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, señorías, debemos dar una respuesta adecuada a la dramática situación que representa la violencia contra la mujer. Es evidente que las políticas actuales no han logrado proteger eficazmente a las mujeres. Los datos nos muestran que la inseguridad ha aumentado. En España, 49 mujeres fueron asesinadas por sus parejas y exparejas en el 2022. En el 2021, 202 143 violadores, 573 delitos sexuales en manada. En el año 2023, 1 205 violadores se beneficiaron de excarcelaciones o reducciones de penas.
               

                  Es un error acometer la violencia contra la mujer basándose en la ideología de género, ya que reduce el problema a simples estereotipos de géneros, a un supuesto heteropatriarcado que enfrenta a hombres y a mujeres, sin profundizar en otras causas, como pueden ser el alcoholismo, otras adicciones —por ejemplo, a la pornografía—, la hipersexualización, la frivolización de las relaciones o la influencia de culturas que no respetan o desprecian a la mujer.
               

                  En España tenemos ya experiencia —casi veinte años— con las leyes de género más radicales. Algunas que no se parecen a las de ningún otro país. Y el resultado ha sido pésimo. No han cumplido la supuesta labor de proteger a la mujer y sí que han socavado principios jurídicos básicos, como la igualdad ante la ley y la presunción de inocencia. Y tenemos algo que no ocurre en ningún otro país civilizado: tribunales de excepción. Políticas como la del ‘Solo sí es sí’ o la falta de acción ante la inmigración descontrolada han demostrado dejar a las mujeres más expuestas a los criminales y aumentar la vulnerabilidad de las mujeres.
               

                  Nos debemos preguntar ¿por qué razón España, siendo uno de los países con la legislación de género más radical, no consigue terminar con la violencia? Porque la respuesta debe poner el acento en otras cosas, como, por ejemplo, en recursos para proteger a quien está en riesgo, garantizar la seguridad en las calles, garantizar la asistencia a todas las víctimas de violencia, dar valor a nuestro modelo social de familia y convivencia —donde la igualdad y el respeto a la mujer son logros conseguidos—, y controlar la inmigración ilegal en nuestros países; en recursos para investigar y perseguir, asegurar que los criminales cumplan las penas y que no puedan volver a la calle a cometer agresiones. Y por supuesto, revisar las leyes actuales tratando de eliminar todos los sesgos ideológicos.
               

Manon Aubry,
au nom du groupe The Left. – Monsieur le Président, ‘j'ai cru mourir’, voilà les mots d'une députée française, Sandrine Josso, droguée à son insu par un sénateur dans le but d'abuser d'elle. Et quelle a été la réaction du sénateur Joël Guerriau mis en cause? Son chat était mourant. Oui, oui, collègues, vous avez bien entendu, parce que son chat était mourant, cela l'autoriserait à agresser une femme. Mais quel sentiment d'impunité faut-il atteindre pour oser une telle défense?
               

                  Souvent, les agresseurs profitent d'une relation de pouvoir. C'est l'animateur de radio Sébastien Cauet, accusé de viol, ou encore le célèbre agent immobilier Stéphane Plaza, poursuivi pour violences. Mais ces agressions et ce sentiment d'impunité ne concernent pas que des célébrités. Elles sont omniprésentes et touchent toutes les femmes. Les prédateurs sont partout: dans la rue, jusque dans nos foyers, au travail ou dans l'intimité, de la remarque déplacée aux coups portés, du harcèlement répété aux corps violés. Combien d'entre nous ici n'ont-elles pas déjà subi une de ces agressions?
               

                  Je remarque d'ailleurs que tous ces débats qui portent sur les droits des femmes réunissent en général quelques rares collègues, et uniquement de sexe féminin. C'est à chaque fois le même schéma, à chaque fois la même difficulté pour les femmes de parler, à chaque fois la même impunité. Mais nous ne laisserons pas le patriarcat gagner.
               

                  Alors que plus de 100 000 viols ont lieu dans l'UE chaque année, la France bloque les négociations d'un texte crucial contre les violences sexuelles en voulant exclure de la législation européenne la définition du viol. Je veux ici le répéter à cette tribune. N'en déplaise à Emmanuel Macron, un rapport sexuel sans consentement est un viol. Un rapport sexuel sans consentement est un viol et doit figurer comme tel dans la loi européenne. C'est pourtant simple et nous clamerons tant qu'il le faudra: le corps des femmes ne vous appartient pas, notre consentement non plus.
               

Laura Ferrara (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la brutale uccisione di Giulia Cecchettin ha scosso profondamente le coscienze in Italia su quanto sia ancora grave la sequenza dei femminicidi. A Giulia è stato negato il suo diritto di vivere, il suo futuro. E non è la sola, perché in Italia, nel mio Paese, sono state oltre 100 le donne vittime da inizio anno, di cui più di 80 sono state uccise in ambito familiare o comunque affettivo.
               

                  Ecco, eppure, a fronte di questa situazione, ci sono ancora diversi partiti, incluse le forze di governo del nostro Paese, che rivelano tutta la loro inadeguatezza sul tema dei diritti civili delle donne. Lega e Fratelli d'Italia qui al Parlamento europeo non hanno neanche sostenuto la ratifica della Convenzione di Istanbul.
               

                  Quando parliamo di violenza contro le donne, parliamo di un reato che rimane una delle violazioni più gravi dei diritti umani e più diffuse e impunite. Sarebbe un gravissimo errore pensare che si tratti di un fenomeno inevitabile: dobbiamo al contrario contrastare la violenza di genere a livello preventivo; dobbiamo attuare delle fondamentali politiche e strategie di prevenzione. Ogni azione legislativa, sociale e culturale per l'affermazione e la tutela dei diritti delle donne contribuisce alla battaglia di civiltà per un futuro più sicuro e paritario.
               

Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé (PPE). – Monsieur le Président, il y a un an, dans ce même hémicycle, pour la même journée internationale de lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes, tous les espoirs étaient permis. Nous étions au travail pour proposer la toute première loi européenne visant à lutter contre les violences faites aux femmes et les violences conjugales. Aujourd'hui, alors que sept femmes meurent encore chaque jour sous les coups de leur conjoint, où en sommes-nous? Des négociations houleuses sont en cours entre le Parlement et les représentants des États membres réunis au Conseil. Là où le Parlement a été ambitieux, les États membres bloquent, voire reculent. La France fait partie de ceux-là.
               

                  Sur le viol, dont 100 000 femmes sont victimes chaque année dans l'Union européenne, la définition proposée par le Parlement européen et la Commission est claire: un rapport sexuel sans consentement est un viol. Les États membres n'ont même pas tenté de proposer une définition alternative, ils ont tout simplement supprimé le viol du texte, ni définition commune, ni sanction commune, ni protection commune.
               

                  Autre exemple: sur les mariages forcés, le Parlement a souhaité qu'il soit également puni dans l'ensemble de l'Union européenne. Là encore, les États membres ne souhaitent pas les pénaliser. Sur les refuges pour héberger les femmes victimes de violences, le Parlement a souhaité augmenter leur nombre en instaurant un quota d'hébergement par nombre d'habitants. Avec cette proposition, le nombre de places en France augmenterait de presque 70 %. Une avancée encore, pourtant le Conseil n'en veut pas.
               

                  Sur les moyens mis en place pour protéger les victimes, le Parlement a proposé des outils technologiques comme les bracelets électroniques, les téléphones ‘grave danger’, afin qu'ils soient utilisés par les États membres pour surveiller les auteurs de violences et garantir qu'ils ne s'approchent plus de leurs victimes. Une proposition de bon sens, pourtant le Conseil ne le souhaite pas. Enfin, sur le harcèlement sexuel au travail, le Parlement a demandé que ces comportements, dont sont victimes encore trop de femmes soient incriminés. Une mesure essentielle, là non plus le Conseil ne souhaite pas l'inclure dans le texte.
               

                  La directive de lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes ne peut pas être une déclaration d'intention. Elle doit mettre en place des mesures concrètes pour protéger les femmes victimes. Nous ne pouvons continuer à débattre chaque année ici, dans cet hémicycle, à l'occasion de la Journée internationale, si nous n'agissons pas. Assez de paroles, il est temps de passer aux actes. Alors, on dit que l'Europe n'avance pas. Ce n'est pas l'Europe, ce n'est pas le Parlement, ce sont les chefs d'État et de gouvernement réunis en Conseil qui bloquent et refusent d'avancer par manque de volonté politique. Et non, nous n'accepterons pas une loi au rabais.
               

Evin Incir (S&D). – Mr President, women's and girls' cries for help sound different, but yet they're all the same. The responses of our 27 Member States are, however, shameful. An estimated 81 100 women and girls were murdered intentionally in 2021. More than half of them were killed as a consequence of domestic violence. More than 60% of women have experienced some kind of violence on their phone or online. Every third woman over 15 in the EU is a survivor of physical or sexual violence. But these are not only figures: behind every and each number there is a person, a woman, a girl, a mother, a daughter, a nurse, a doctor, even a lawmaker.
No place is safe: homes, schools, workplaces, squares, streets or social media platforms. Women and girls are continually being punchbags and shooting boards for men. Together with my co-chief-negotiator Frances Fitzgerald I am continuing the struggle to ensure that our 27 Member States understand that we must have a strong directive to combat this heinous violence.
But the year is 2023, and still a majority of our Member States refuse to include the most important legislation as a part of the package – consent-based rape legislation. Since we introduced the legislation back in 2018 in Sweden, thanks to the women's organisations such as Fatta and under the social-democratic-led government, the sentences have increased with over 75%.
It is shameful that governments like those in France and Germany still refuse to understand that only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’. To the two men that right now are responsible for the decisions there – in France, President Emmanuel Macron and in Germany, Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann – I want to say this: how many more of us women must be killed before you stand on the right side of history and say only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’?

Katalin Cseh (Renew). – Mr President, in March 2013, Erika Renner took her dog for a walk. Her ex-partner ambushed her at her doorstep. He forcibly sedated her, stripped her and poured lye on her genitalia, causing third-degree burns. She survived this brutal attack, only to face a different form of brutality from the authorities, because, despite clear evidence, the prosecutor tried to halt the case, perhaps not independently of the perpetrators political connections.
It took eight long years of litigation to finally put him in prison, but he will soon be released and Erika does not feel safe or supported. Recently, she said the following, ‘With years of therapy, I managed to process the crime, but not what the system did to me’. Just stop and reflect on these words. Her dual trauma from the vicious attack to the system's betrayal, a system that discredits her testimonies, that forced her to discuss intimate details with hostile or simply unprepared men.
And on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, remember the story of this courageous woman. Erika is an EU citizen, and like all victims, she needs a much stronger European Union – an EU willing to push for comprehensive reforms to protect them.

Sylwia Spurek (Verts/ALE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Już piąty i ostatni raz spotykamy się w tej kadencji w trakcie ‘16 dni przeciw przemocy wobec kobiet’. Ale pierwszy raz możemy powiedzieć kobietom w całej Unii Europejskiej: udało nam się, udało nam się skutecznie zadbać o nasze prawa. Udało nam się skutecznie poszerzyć katalog praw i wolności o konwencję stambulską, która jest konstytucją praw kobiet doświadczających przemocy.
               

                  Ale ratyfikacja konwencji trwała zbyt długo. Za długo Europejki musiały czekać na jasny sygnał, że władze Unii trzymają ich stronę. Trzymają stronę ofiar, a nie sprawców. I to nie koniec. Potrzebujemy szerszych, twardych, kompleksowych gwarancji prawnych. Potrzebujemy prawa, które chroni każdą kobietę przed każdą formą przemocy – każdą formą przemocy ze względu na płeć, w tym cyberprzemocą i gwałtem.
               

                  Takim prawem może być dobra, progresywna dyrektywa o zwalczaniu przemocy wobec kobiet i przemocy domowej. I ta dyrektywa nie może być efektem partyjnych kompromisów. Przemoc wobec kobiet jest najbardziej drastyczną formą dyskryminacji ze względu na płeć. A równość i prawa człowieka to przecież najważniejsze wartości naszej Wspólnoty.
               

                  Dlatego treść dyrektywy musi być odważnym manifestem Unii Europejskiej. Musimy dać jasny sygnał, że Unia Europejska jest światową liderką, jeśli chodzi o prawa kobiet. Bo nie ma praworządności, nie ma Unii Europejskiej bez równości i praw człowieka.
               

Anna Zalewska (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Koleżanki i Koledzy! Tak, rzeczywiście piąty raz spotykamy się, by wołać, apelować, przypominać statystyki, mówić o przemocy. Ale my jesteśmy winne naszym koleżankom, matkom, siostrom, by być codziennie – a nie tylko przy okazji międzynarodowego święta – w swoich biurach razem ze swoimi rządami i z naciskami na rząd, na ich działania.
               

                  To, czego mi brakuje przez te pięć lat, to takiej analizy całych systemów. Bo nie wystarczy podać dane dotyczące skali. Potrzebujemy informacji, jak działa edukacja, jak działa opieka społeczna, jak działa wymiar sprawiedliwości, dlaczego w różnych systemach to nie przynosi efektów. Żyjemy w XXI wieku. Kobiety są światłe, wykształcone. Znają swoją wartość.
               

                  Chcę pokazać przykład takiego działania, bo tutaj ponadpartyjnie w Polsce potrafiliśmy się zgodzić. Weszły już pewne przepisy. Wchodzą następne, które na przykład bezwzględnie i natychmiastowo oddzielają prześladowcę od kobiety. Zgodnie z tymi przepisami osoba stosująca przemoc fizyczną, stanowiąca zagrożenie dla życia lub zdrowia domowników musi na mocy decyzji policji bezzwłocznie opuścić mieszkanie. Otrzymuje też zakaz zbliżania się do domostwa przez 14 dni, a sądy mają do dyspozycji narzędzia umożliwiające szybsze rozpoznanie sprawy
               

                  Rzeczywiście, Policji i Żandarmerii Wojskowej nadano nowe kompetencje. W dodatku uznano, że osoba, która uległa przemocy, jest w szczególnej traumie. W związku z tym potrzebuje, nawet podczas przesłuchania, szczególnej opieki. I to proponujemy polskim kobietom. Chcę, żeby tak to wyglądało w całej Europie. Tu jesteśmy razem. Nie ma żadnego podziału.
               

Susanna Ceccardi (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, figlia mia, sei nata femmina. Ho sempre desiderato una figlia femmina per condividere insieme i giochi con le bambole, per portarti a lezione di danza e pianoforte, se lo vorrai, per consigliarti meglio quando, da adolescente, avrai le prime cotte e quando, da più grande, ti innamorerai davvero. Avrai qualche delusione, ma saprai rialzarti se sarò stata una buona madre.
               

                  Ti insegnerò a credere in te stessa, ad essere indipendente psicologicamente ed economicamente, ad amare qualcuno intensamente ma senza annientarsi mai. Ti dirò, quando avrai l'età per capire, che non dovrai mai accettare nessun sopruso, nessuna violenza, anche se piccola o apparentemente innocua, e neanche per scherzo. Ti insegnerò a denunciare, a difenderti, a imparare ad allontanare le persone che vorranno ferirti. Ti insegnerò ad odiare la violenza, a non subirla e a non infliggerla agli altri. Cresci e non pentirti mai di essere una donna. Vanne fiera e a testa alta. Ricordati di amare con tutto il cuore e senza paura.
               

                  Quando è nata, quattro anni fa, mia figlia, le ho scritto questo messaggio e penso che la prima campagna antiviolenza la facciamo noi genitori in casa ogni giorno. Nella storia i risultati più importanti per l'emancipazione femminile sono stati ottenuti grazie alla consapevolezza di sé che le donne hanno raggiunto. È ancora questa la strada da percorrere per continuare a difendere le donne: libertà e consapevolezza.
               

                  Oggi in Aula, purtroppo, ci sono pochi uomini, siamo tutte donne. Di questo dobbiamo interrogarci: questo è un dibattito esclusivamente per donne o riguarda anche gli uomini? Riguarda anche i padri, riguarda anche figli, riguarda anche le madri. I padri, ma anche le madri, hanno il compito di educare i figli.
               

Eugenia Rodríguez Palop (The Left). – Señor presidente, hoy celebramos el último Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia contra la Mujer de este mandato y tengo sentimientos encontrados.
               

                  Desde la Comisión de Derechos de las Mujeres hemos hecho un esfuerzo ímprobo por sancionar a los maltratadores y proteger a las víctimas, pero, a pesar de nuestra insistencia, no hemos logrado, por ejemplo, que se tramitase la incorporación de la violencia de género como eurodelito y eso ha lastrado, en parte, a la Directiva sobre la lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres que tenemos entre manos, Directiva que, aun con sus limitaciones, tenemos que sacar adelante.
               

                  ¿Cómo puede ser que tengamos Estados que se resistan todavía a incorporar la violación como tipo penal? No podemos permitirnos una Directiva que esté por debajo de los estándares del Convenio de Estambul. Si hay relaciones sexuales sin consentimiento, hay violación. ¿Qué parte no se ha entendido? Sí es sí. Es simple.
               

                  Estamos modificando también la Directiva relativa a la prevención y lucha contra la trata porque sabemos que apenas se sanciona a los tratantes y no se repara a las víctimas. Y resulta que las resistencias persisten.
               

                  Las mujeres tenemos que lidiar a diario con la misoginia y el negacionismo de la extrema derecha, sus aliados y sus numerosos amigos. Y es una terrible señal que tengan cada vez más presencia en las instituciones. En España, Vox ha ordenado a sus concejales que revienten los actos institucionales por el 25-N. ¿Cómo puede permitirse semejante pedagogía de la crueldad y la psicopatía? Aterra esa indiferencia selectiva frente a los asesinatos.
               

                  Nosotras sabemos que nuestras conquistas son precarias, pero ellos han de saber que hemos sobrevivido ya a muchos retrocesos y que somos el motor de la historia. ¡Aquí estamos las feministas!
               

Ελένη Σταύρου (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι, σήμερα στη διεθνή ημέρα για την εξάλειψη της βίας κατά των γυναικών, είναι καθήκον μας να σταθούμε ενωμένοι κατά της απάνθρωπης αυτής πρακτικής. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεσμεύεται για την καταπολέμηση της βίας κατά των γυναικών, προωθώντας νομοθεσίες και πολιτικές που προστατεύουν τα δικαιώματα των γυναικών και προσφέρουν υποστήριξη στα θύματα. Έχει επικυρώσει τη Σύμβαση της Κωνσταντινούπολης για την πρόληψη και την καταπολέμηση της βίας κατά των γυναικών και της εξ οικείων βίας. Το ισχυρό αυτό εργαλείο θέτει πρότυπα για τον καθορισμό εγκλημάτων και την παροχή υποστήριξης σε θύματα, καθώς ενισχύει τη νομοθετική προσέγγιση κατά της γυναικείας βίας. Η εφαρμογή της είναι καίρια για την προώθηση ενός περιβάλλοντος όπου κάθε γυναίκα ζει χωρίς φόβο και με πλήρη σεβασμό προς τα δικαιώματά της. Σε αυτό το σημείο, θέλω να ευχαριστήσω τους συναδέλφους ευρωβουλευτές της Επιτροπής για την Ισότητα των Φύλων, για τη σκληρή τους δουλειά και αφοσίωση στο θέμα. Ας ενώσουμε τις δυνάμεις μας και να αναδείξουμε τη φωνή μας ενάντια σε κάθε μορφή βίας, προωθώντας την ισότητα και τον σεβασμό για όλες τις γυναίκες.
               

Pina Picierno (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghe, un anno dopo siamo ancora qui a guardare con sgomento, con rabbia, la lista interminabile di donne uccise, picchiate, annichilite. A dirci ancora una volta che non c'è più tempo, non ne abbiamo più. A ricordarci ancora una volta che le donne non muoiono a causa di una tragedia naturale; non muoiono perché ammazzate da un terremoto o da un'alluvione. Muoiono perché ammazzate tutte per mano di uomini: compagni, ex compagni, uomini.
               

                  Stiamo parlando di omicidi, di un crimine, di un criminale che prevarica la vittima. E questo crimine ha però qualcosa di particolare: le vittime sono tutte donne e gli assassini sono tutti uomini. E questi uomini vanno fermati. Va fermata la cultura che alimenta la loro violenza perché ha un nome preciso: si chiama patriarcato.
               

                  E allora siamo ancora qua a ricordarci che sono mesi che noi cerchiamo di portare avanti un lavoro importante. Questo Parlamento sta facendo molto. Ma molto non è ancora abbastanza perché noi non siamo riusciti ancora ad ottenere un testo minimo, ambizioso e ragionevole che includa cose minime. Due su tutte: in assenza di consenso è violenza e il tempo della denuncia non condiziona la fondatezza della denuncia stessa. È il minimo che possiamo ottenere per il sangue delle nostre sorelle che non possiamo lavare via e in memoria loro dobbiamo continuare insieme questa battaglia. E lo faremo, insieme. Cambieremo tutto.
               

Karen Melchior (Renew). – Mr President, colleagues, Commissioner, I have a lovely speech with facts and information about the violence committed against women. But we know the facts. All of you in this room know about the hundreds and thousands of women that are being killed, that are being raped, that are being victims of violence. I don't need to repeat this to you. I want those of you that are not in the room today to take this seriously.
We are not moving in the right direction. Last week, in Reykjavik, there was a presentation of the Reykjavik Index, showing the view of our populations of women as leaders, of women as human beings. In the UK, in Canada and in the US, this year, there are less people in our population that respect women as equal human beings at the same level as men.
We have a huge danger in front of us. We have authoritarian politicians that are attacking women as equal human beings. And we have centre-right, centre-left politicians that are afraid of their own values, that are afraid of standing up for the defence of women and therefore are afraid of implementing the correct definition of rape, which is: if there is no consent, there is no sexual intercourse, there is no sex, there is only rape. No means no and yes means yes. Women are capable of giving consent and men are capable of respecting it.

Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, cuando hablamos de violencia de género no hablamos de algo etéreo. Al contrario, hablamos de algo muy tangible y presente en nuestras vidas. Hablamos de una violencia que sufre una de cada tres niñas y mujeres, una violencia que nos rodea y que tenemos la obligación de abordar y erradicar.
               

                  Por ese motivo, me veo en la obligación de denunciar la posición del Consejo, la posición que está adoptando en las negociaciones sobre la futura Directiva sobre la lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres. No nos podemos permitir una legislación europea que no sea ambiciosa, que no sirva para avanzar en la lucha contra esta lacra y que no incluya la incorporación de la violación en la lista de eurodelitos sobre la base de la ausencia de consentimiento.
               

                  La Unión Europea ratificó hace pocos meses el Convenio de Estambul. Este debe establecer nuestros mínimos, no nuestros máximos. Representantes del Consejo (hoy ausentes en este debate): están ustedes a tiempo de cambiar la actitud y de ser parte constructiva y fundamental de esta Europa feminista que, con mucho esfuerzo, estamos construyendo.
               

                  Nos veremos en las próximas negociaciones; esperemos que sirva para lograr un acuerdo que salve vidas.
               

Mathilde Androuët (ID). – Monsieur le Président, le 4 août 2023, à Cherbourg, Oumar N., déjà condamné sans suite pour violences sexuelles, dont une sur sa sœur de douze ans, s'introduit chez Mégane pour la tabasser et la violer avec un manche à balai. Perforation du côlon, de l'intestin grêle, du péritoine, du diaphragme, pneumothorax, fractures aux côtes et risque élevé de choc septique. Les sévices furent tels que le personnel soignant s'est retrouvé sous le choc, en larmes.
               

                  Le 14 octobre 2023, à Argenteuil, Samir B. s'introduit dans les chambres de femmes âgées de 93 et 95 ans et les agresse sexuellement. Déjà connu des services de police pour des faits similaires, il est pourtant relâché 48 heures après les faits. Les deux femmes sont décédées peu de temps après ces violences.
               

                  Voici deux images de la mosaïque des horreurs quotidiennes que vivent les Européennes. Une particularité, nous franchissons des paliers dans l'horreur. Les agresseurs ne veulent plus seulement jouir, ils veulent détruire, et salir.
               

                  Ce ne sont pas des faits divers. Ce qui est divers, banal, c'est votre lâcheté. Lâcheté à ne pas reconnaître que l'immigration a fortement contribué aux 170 % d'augmentation des violences sexuelles en dix ans. Les coupables sont ces violeurs, mais les responsables, c'est vous! C'est vous qui voyez dans l'immigration une manne électorale ou une main d'œuvre bon marché. Vous qui refusez de voir l'ampleur de la haine de certains et qui les faites venir à grand renfort de lois, d'ONG et de subventions. Vous qui encouragez cette submersion, vous portez une responsabilité. Alors si vous voulez que les violences à l'égard des femmes baissent, ayez le courage de cesser ces flux humains gangrénés par des éléments inhumains, dont la violence n'a d'égale que le mépris qu'ils ont pour nous, les femmes.
               

Sandra Pereira (The Left). – Senhor Presidente, aqui estamos em mais um debate a assinalar o Dia Internacional pela Eliminação da Violência contra as Mulheres. Para nós, não se trata apenas da evocação de mais uma efeméride, mas sim da manifestação do nosso apoio e do nosso compromisso para com a luta das mulheres contra a exploração laboral, as desigualdades, discriminações e violências.
               

                  A violência sobre as mulheres assume diversas expressões: violência doméstica, violência no namoro, mutilação genital feminina, assédio moral, sexual e laboral e prostituição, entre outras. Todas elas têm de ser reconhecidas como expressões extremas de injustiça, desigualdade e discriminação, que se manifestam na humilhação, no desrespeito pela integridade física e psicológica das mulheres que as sofrem, e que atentam contra a dignidade, o estatuto social e os direitos de todas as mulheres.
               

                  Deve ser assegurado o tratamento autónomo das diversas formas de violência sobre as mulheres, criando instrumentos de intervenção que visem o reconhecimento do impacto na vida das mulheres, dando prioridade à sua prevenção e combate e visando a sua erradicação.
               

                  É igualmente fundamental que os Estados-Membros reforcem os mecanismos de proteção das vítimas através da implementação de uma rede pública descentralizada e articulada com as entidades que intervêm nesta área, para assegurar a proximidade e igualdade de acesso das mulheres à informação, encaminhamento, sinalização e proteção das vítimas. Medidas que, para ser postas em prática, exigem orçamentos robustos e vontade política.
               

                  A violência sobre as mulheres não se compadece com atrasos e adiamentos. É preciso passar das palavras aos atos. Não pode haver mais desculpas.
               

Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE). – Arvoisa puhemies, naisiin kohdistuva väkivalta on edelleen laajin, alihuomioiduin ja aliraportoiduin väkivalta maailmassa. On törkeää, että meidän täytyy vielä 2020-luvulla taistella siitä asiasta, että naiset saavat täydellisen koskemattomuudensuojan ja oikeuden väkivallattomaan elämään yhteiskunnissa. On törkeää, että me joudumme tästä samasta asiasta väittelemään myös Euroopan unionin sisällä.
               

                  Kun me nyt olemme ratifioimassa Istanbulin sopimusta, jossa direktiivin kautta kaikki naisiin kohdistuva väkivalta tulee kielletyksi, tosin aika rajatussa muodossa, on ollut perin hämmentävää, että olemme joutuneet vääntämään neuvoston kanssa siitä, onko raiskaus – seksuaalisesti tyypillisin naisiin kohdistuvan väkivallan muoto – sisällä tässä direktiivissä vai ei. Mielestäni tämä epäkohta ansaitsee kaikkien eurooppalaisten naisten ja miesten huomion ja siihen havahtumisen, että aina se ei ole jäsenvaltio, joka puolustaa eniten kansalaistensa etua. Usein se on tämä Euroopan parlamentti ja komissio omissa toimissaan.
               

                  Naiset ovat ihmisiä. Siksi naisille kuuluvat myös oikeudet ja ihmisoikeudet, ja naisten oikeudet ovat siis osa ihmisoikeuksia. Tämä tarkoittaa sitä, että naisella on oikeus vapauteen fyysisestä väkivallasta, henkisestä väkivallasta, mutta myös rakenteellisesta väkivallasta, joka on vaikkapa palveluiden puuttuminen tai seksuaali- ja lisääntymisterveysoikeuksien kieltäminen. Euroopan unionin pitää olla se johtava voima, joka toimii täydellisen naisiin kohdistuvan väkivallan poistamisen kärkijoukkueissa sekä sisällä että ulkoisesti.
               

Cyrus Engerer (S&D). – Mr President, I am glad that finally we have ratified the Istanbul Convention as a European Union. But I ask myself: why did it have to take so long when our values are so clearly enshrined in our Treaty?
But the Istanbul Convention alone is not enough. This week in Malta, in my country, we remembered the murder of Bernice Cassar last year, murdered by her former husband. The Istanbul Convention alone did not save her. We need to change hearts and minds. We need to empower women and young girls in our schools. We need to give men and young boys a reality check.
I urge all Member States – and I start from mine, Malta – to stop the resistance that we are currently finding in the Council in including a clearly defined rape in the directive on gender-based violence. Rape is a result of no consent, and this must be written down in the directive, and we need to do it now.
So I start from my home country. We did it at home. Let's do it now in the European Union.

Irène Tolleret (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, comme chaque année, nous célébrons au sein de ce Parlement la Journée internationale de lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes. Chaque année, nous constatons que nous n'avons pas tellement avancé et que le nombre de féminicides augmente plutôt que de baisser. Pourtant, beaucoup de pays européens ont mis en place des dispositifs issus de la Convention d'Istanbul, et adopté des législations courageuses.
               

                  Bien sûr, la directive européenne marquera une avancée fondamentale dans la lutte contre les violences de genre. Mais regardons-nous, quand nous parlons des violences de genre, nous le faisons devant un hémicycle vide où les hommes s'expriment très peu. Ils n'expriment pas leur indignation, où s'ils l'expriment, ils sont trop peu à le faire. Au-delà des lois, au-delà des normes, nous avons besoin d'une révolution culturelle. Quand aurons-nous des manifestations d'hommes contre la violence de genre dans nos rues?
               

                  Chaque révolution culturelle commence depuis et avec l'école: des cours d'éducation à la vie relationnelle et affective existe dans certains pays. Je demande donc à la Commission de réfléchir à comment rendre européen ce dispositif, car hélas, il est urgent d'apprendre à nos enfants que non: possession, contrôle, jalousie, ce n'est pas de l'amour, c'est l'héritage d'une culture machiste que nous devons combattre tous ensemble, hommes et femmes.
               

Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE). – Herr talman! Vi nås av rubrikerna om det sexuella våldet varje dag, om övergreppen och våldtäkterna. Ofta syns bara hon, kvinnan, hon som misstänks ha utsatts. Att det också alltid finns en han – en han som har gjort det oåterkalleliga – ges inte samma rubriker.
               

                  Hans skuld, hans medvetna övergrepp, osynliggörs i nyhetsrapporteringen – så också i EU:s lagstiftningar. Fler än hälften av EU:s medlemsländer har inte en våldtäktslagstiftning som bygger på att allt annat än ett ja är ett nej.
               

                  Det är ett svek mot alla kvinnor som inte vågar gå till polisen i rädsla för att inte bli trodda, och mot alla offer för övergrepp som får veta att det de utsatts för inte är ett brott enligt lagens mening.
               

                  Det här måste få ett slut. Vi måste lägga skulden där den hör hemma. Vi behöver en samtyckeslagstiftning i hela EU nu.
               

Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Pani Komisarz! Panie i Panowie! To dobrze, że w tej sprawie w Parlamencie Europejskim zabierają głos mężczyźni. I dobrze, że ta sprawa jest czymś, co łączy, co jednoczy europosłów z różnych stron naszej Izby. To ważny przekaz w świat. Myślę, że w tej sprawie jednomyślność, czy prawie jednomyślność, jest czymś ważnym, potrzebnym i oczekiwanym.
               

                  Możemy tu mówić o różnych formach przemocy, przemocy nieraz systemowej, przemocy, która wręcz w niektórych krajach Afryki i Azji sięga korzeniami po pewne nawyki, tradycje, obyczaje – co nie zmienia faktu, że dalej jest przemocą i w XXI wieku należy bardzo jednoznacznie, bardzo jasno powiedzieć, że to jest przemoc, nawet jeżeli jest ona uwarunkowana w pewnej kulturze danego społeczeństwa. Tym niemniej jednak trzeba zapalić czerwone światło na tego typu formy przemocy, nawet tam, gdzie jest ona – uwaga – czasem społecznie akceptowana.
               

                  Dobrze, że z naszego Parlamentu Europejskiego idzie w tej sprawie jasny przekaz.
               

Guido Reil (ID). – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Heute ist der Internationale Tag zur Bekämpfung der Gewalt gegen Frauen. Und wie jedes Jahr finden wir warme Worte – doch sie helfen nicht, denn es wird immer alles schlimmer. Mehr häusliche Gewalt, mehr Morde, mehr Vergewaltigungen, viel mehr Gruppenvergewaltigungen, mehr Genitalverstümmelungen. Und wer sind die Täter? Ja, es sind Männer; aber leider viel zu oft sind diese Männer Migranten.
               

                  Dieselben Migranten, die in Deutschland auf der Straße waren und die Hamas gefeiert haben. Die haben die Hamas gefeiert für Massenvergewaltigungen mit anschließenden Enthauptungen der Frauen. Selbst vor Morden an Babys haben diese Bestien nicht Halt gemacht. Und diese Menschen werden gefeiert! In meiner Heimatstadt Essen waren 3000 Islamisten auf der Straße. 3000, die deutlich gemacht haben, dass sie Juden hassen, die deutlich gemacht haben, dass sie Homosexuelle hassen, und die ganz deutlich gemacht haben, dass Frauen für sie völlig wertlos sind.
               

                  Wer Frauen schützen will, muss endlich konsequent abschieben, denn diese Menschen haben mit ihrer Haltung nichts zu suchen in Deutschland und in Europa.
               

(Der Redner ist damit einverstanden, eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der ‘blauen Karte’ zu beantworten.)


Vlad-Marius Botoș (Renew),
întrebare adresată conform procedurii ‘cartonașului albastru’
                     . – Domnule Reil, data trecută când v-am pus o întrebare, am folosit limba dumneavoastră, însă acum vreau să faceți un efort să ascultați și limba mea. Este păcat ca dumneavoastră, în această dezbatere, să aduceți acest discurs al urii și această ură generează acea violență de care dumneavoastră vorbeați. Este foarte păcat pentru acest Parlament și pentru această zi să aduceți dezbaterea în derizoriu. Îmi pare rău pentru prestația dumneavoastră.
               

Guido Reil (ID),
Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der ‘blauen Karte’
                     . – Massenvergewaltigung und anschließende Enthauptung von Frauen: Darüber muss man offen sprechen dürfen, auch in diesem Europäischen Parlament. Denn ich bin nicht bereit, so etwas zu tolerieren.
               

Έλενα Κουντουρά (The Left). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η έμφυλη βία είναι η πιο ακραία μορφή ανισότητας σε βάρος των γυναικών και παραβίασης των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων τους. Τα επίσημα στοιχεία στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση είναι σοκαριστικά. Μία στις τρεις γυναίκες έχει υπάρξει θύμα σωματικής ή σεξουαλικής βίας, σε πολλές περιπτώσεις από τον σύντροφο ή τον πρώην σύντροφό της. Όμως, δύο στις τρεις δεν προχωρούν σε καταγγελία. Η σκληρή αυτή πραγματικότητα έχει τις ρίζες της στην πατριαρχική νοοτροπία, αλλά και στις αναχρονιστικές και επικίνδυνες αντιλήψεις ότι η γυναίκα είναι κατώτερη του άνδρα και αποτελεί κτήμα του. Είναι ανάγκη λοιπόν να δώσουμε άμεσα απαντήσεις που να διορθώνουν τις στρεβλώσεις και τα κενά στην ευρωπαϊκή νομοθεσία. Να διασφαλίσουμε ότι η οδηγία για τη βία κατά των γυναικών θα είναι φιλόδοξη, θα εξασφαλίζει ουσιαστική προστασία και υποστήριξη στα θύματα και στις γυναίκες, αλλά και στα παιδιά, θα αποτρέπει τέτοια εγκλήματα και θα προτάσσει την πρόληψη. Και, τέλος, να διασφαλίσουμε ότι θα ορίζει το έγκλημα του βιασμού βάσει συναίνεσης, για να γίνει ξεκάθαρο σε όλους ότι το όχι σημαίνει όχι.
               

Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE). – Señor presidente, la violencia contra las mujeres es una violación grave de los derechos humanos. Impide alcanzar la igualdad, la paz y el resto de derechos humanos.
               

                  Una de cada tres mujeres sigue siendo víctima de violencia. Asistimos diariamente a escenas y a casos de violencia contra las mujeres. Europa ha ratificado ya el Convenio de Estambul, que ha marcado la hoja de ruta.
               

                  Estamos negociando una Directiva sobre la lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres y la violencia doméstica para poder tener una respuesta global, coordinada y unitaria. Es importante que la voz del Parlamento sea escuchada en esos diálogos tripartitos por parte del Consejo. Para combatir esta lacra se necesitan —sin ninguna duda— políticas adecuadas, voluntad política de aplicarlas y una sociedad concienciada en la lucha contra esta violencia.
               

                  Europa camina por esta vía. Lo que ha pasado en mi país, España, es diferente: más de 1 200 violadores han tenido rebajas de condena, y más de cientos de violadores han sido excarcelados mientras sigue aumentando el número de mujeres asesinadas.
               

                  Se tardó seis meses en cambiar la Ley española del ‘Solo sí es sí’ —que ha arrojado estos malos resultados— y sus consecuencias durarán más de cinco años. Se envió al mundo el mensaje de que no era prioritario salvar las vidas de las mujeres ni proteger sus derechos. El mensaje no era ni claro ni unísono.
               

                  Decía la señora Iratxe García que necesitaba un mensaje claro y unísono. Pues la respuesta española no fue ni clara ni unísona. Los partidos de izquierda que gobiernan en España quisieron impregnar de ideología los derechos humanos. Ese, sin duda, es un mal camino. Muchos de ellos —que están sentados aquí— callaron. No quisieron hablar de este tema. Y otros ni siquiera la habrían cambiado.
               

                  Tuvimos una misión del Parlamento Europeo para poder estudiar este tema —entre otros, a España—. Las conclusiones de esta misión del Parlamento Europeo, con el consentimiento del presidente de la Comisión de Derechos de la Mujer e Igualdad de Género y de los grupos de izquierda —que no son mayoritarios— han sido paralizadas. Me gustaría que eso cambiara. Los derechos de las mujeres no tienen ideología.
               

Evelyn Regner (S&D). – Herr Präsident, Frau Vizepräsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Meine Botschaft ist kurz und klar: Wir im Europäischen Parlament tolerieren die systematische Gewalt gegen Frauen nicht. Wir fordern ein umfassendes Gewaltschutzpaket – und umfassend, das bedeutet, dass natürlich Vergewaltigung da ebenfalls aufgenommen sein muss.
               

                  Ich möchte daran erinnern: Die Istanbul-Konvention, die konnte nur deshalb von der Europäischen Union ratifiziert werden, weil wir als Europäisches Parlament ein Rechtsgutachten zur Rechtsgrundlage eingefordert haben. Und das ist gut ausgegangen.
               

                  Und dementsprechend ist meine Botschaft vor allem an den Rat: Die Rechtsgrundlage ist absolut gegeben, es gibt keine faulen Ausreden. Vergewaltigung muss aufgenommen werden. Und natürlich, Vergewaltigung aufzunehmen, bedeutet: Nur ein Ja ist ein Ja, nur ein Yes ist ein Yes; und dementsprechend ist es wirklich eine Aufforderung an den Rat, die Verantwortung wahrzunehmen. Es gilt, diese systematische Gewalt gegenüber Frauen ein für alle Mal zu beenden.
               

Vlad Gheorghe (Renew). – Domnule președinte, haideți să recunoaștem adevărul: jumătate dintre europeni sunt cetățeni de mâna a doua în acest moment. Jumătate dintre europeni sunt plătiți mai puțin pentru aceeași muncă, jumătate dintre europeni sunt hărțuiți zilnic, jumătate dintre europeni sunt hărțuiți, abuzați și chiar omorâți, fără ca pentru infractori să existe mari consecințe.
               

                  Sunt europeni care merg la școală, la serviciu, care plătesc taxe și care își cresc copiii. Sunt fiicele, soțiile, surorile, mamele noastre și sunt persoane exact ca colega pe care astăzi o vezi lovită și mâine poate, Doamne ferește, nu o mai vezi deloc. Pentru că nu există crimă din dragoste, dragostea nu ucide. Dar indiferența autorităților europene da. Și pe lângă vorbele frumoase pe care le spunem astăzi, mesajul meu este cumva altul: că ne trebuie justiție fără milă pentru hărțuitor, justiție fără milă pentru violatori și justiție, fără milă pentru criminali. Altfel nu o să facem mare lucru.
               

Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, la violence contre les femmes est la violation des droits humains la plus partagée au monde, puisqu'environ une femme sur trois a subi au moins une fois dans sa vie un acte de violence, sous forme de coups et de blessures, de harcèlement sexuel, ou alors dans le pire des cas, de féminicide ou de soi-disant ‘crime d'honneur’. Et ce sont toutes ces formes-là auxquelles on assiste en Europe. À cela s'ajoute la pédopornographie, la traite et la séquestration de femmes qui alimentent ainsi l'industrie du sexe qui connaît un boom économique sans précédent.
               

                  Bien que 125 pays condamnent la violence conjugale, car elle a de lourdes conséquences sur le psychisme des victimes et met en péril ces femmes, ils sont frileux à légiférer, tout comme à introduire, par exemple, la notion de consentement. La violence contre une femme est une atteinte contre son intégrité, et c'est également parfois une arme utilisée dans les régions en conflit.
               

                  Nous devons donc mener une âpre bataille afin que soit intégré le viol dans la directive. Car le viol, qui est un rapport non consenti, est un délit ignoble. On doit l'intégrer afin que l'Union devienne le continent qui aura éradiqué la violation de genre.
               

Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR). – Voorzitter, mevrouw de commissaris, beste collega's, in Nederland staan bij abortuscentra vaak wakers. Vrijwilligers die vrouwen laten weten dat er alternatieven zijn. Ze bieden hulp op financieel, praktisch, sociaal en psychisch terrein, hulp aan moeder en kind. En daarmee worden levens gered.
               

                  Op dit moment wordt er onderhandeld over een Europese richtlijn ter bestrijding van geweld tegen vrouwen en huiselijk geweld. Een belangrijk thema, zeker, maar er zit wel een heel kwalijke bepaling in dit pakket. In ons onderhandelingsmandaat zit namelijk een voorstel om het verhinderen of het proberen te verhinderen van een abortus ook te kwalificeren als een misdrijf.
               

                  Dus als ik binnenkort een goed gesprek heb met een vrouw die een abortus overweegt, en ik haar in overweging geef over alternatieven na te denken of haar op straat een foldertje aanbied, ben ik dan strafbaar? Dat kan toch niet waar zijn! Dan gaan we iemand bestraffen die probeert een ongeboren kind te beschermen, iemand die vrouwen helpt in nood. Ik noem dat echt onbarmhartig.
               

                  In plaats van zorg te bieden, gaan we een uitgestrekte hand verbieden. Ik roep de onderhandelaars dan ook op dit onderdeel van het pakket nadrukkelijk te heroverwegen. Wat hier voorligt, is echt een heilloze weg.
               

Isabella Tovaglieri (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il 2023 non è ancora finito ma già contiamo 105 donne uccise solo in Italia. L'ultima in ordine di tempo è Giulia Cecchettin, brutalmente assassinata il giorno prima della sua laurea dall'ex ragazzo. Alla sua famiglia e a tutte le famiglie delle vittime va il nostro cordoglio. Ma che non siano vuote parole, bensì un impegno concreto perché questo non accada più, un impegno che in Italia stiamo portando avanti a tutti i livelli istituzionali.
               

                  È infatti di queste ore l'approvazione del Codice Rosso rafforzato, che potenzia gli strumenti di prevenzione, mentre in Regione Lombardia è stato avviato l'iter legislativo per l'introduzione del reato di duplice omicidio a carico di chi uccide una donna in avanzato stato di gravidanza. Buone pratiche, che chiediamo che il Parlamento europeo promuova in tutti gli Stati membri, anche se siamo consapevoli che una legge non possa salvare vite se non si interviene prima nelle scuole, educando i giovani al rispetto. Esattamente come ha in progetto di fare il nostro governo. Infine sì, occorre abbattere la società patriarcale.
               

                  Care sinistre, avete sentito bene: per una volta siamo d'accordo con voi. Abbattiamo il patriarcato: ma quello vero, quello dell'Islam integralista che, grazie anche al vostro complice buonismo, anziché volere donne libere ed emancipate, le vuole spesso sottomesse, velate e, talvolta, spose bambine.
               

Malin Björk (The Left). – Herr talman! Våldet mot kvinnor och flickor fortsätter. Det är strukturellt. Det påverkar oss alla. Det begränsar liv för flickor och kvinnor och andra som utsätts för könsbaserat våld. Jag tänker på hbtqi-samhället också. Det här våldet, det tar liv.
               

                  Rättsväsendet och våra lagar måste stärkas. Det måste finnas stöd för dem som utsätts. Jag pratar speciellt om kvinnojourerna, som ska ha mer resurser och som ska ha ett reellt erkännande. Vi behöver en stark feministisk rörelse som står upp för kvinnors rättigheter, som står upp för flickor.
               

                  Vi behöver också vara väldigt tydliga med män och pojkar. Maskuliniteten i framtiden kan inte innehålla våld. Den kan definitivt inte innehålla att man får tillåtelse att köpa kvinnor i prostitution. Det är en form av våld.
               

                  Vi på europeisk nivå har möjlighet att ta ansvar politiskt nu. Vi har en lagstiftning mot trafficking, mot människohandel, som bland annat handlar om människohandel med kvinnor och flickor. Den måste vi anta.
               

                  Vi har ett förslag till en lagstiftning, ett direktiv mot könsbaserat våld, som innehåller en samtyckeslagstiftning som skulle kunna bli verklighet i hela Europa. Den möjligheten måste vi ta nu. Bara ett ‘ja’ är ett ‘ja’.
               

Carlos Coelho (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, Senhora Comissária, Caros Colegas, este é um debate que interessa a todos e todos deve envolver, homens e mulheres. A violência contra as mulheres é das mais comuns e sistemáticas violações dos direitos humanos enraizada na nossa sociedade. Os países da União Europeia não são exceção. Infelizmente, uma em cada três mulheres sofreu violência física ou sexual, principalmente perpetrada por parceiros íntimos.
               

                  A União tem promovido diversas iniciativas e ações, mas os números são alarmantes e a dimensão do problema assume várias formas, desde a violência física, emocional, financeira, reprodutiva ou até cibernética. Esta violência tem um grande impacto nas vítimas e impõe custos significativos à sociedade, estimados em 290 mil milhões de euros por ano na União Europeia.
               

                  Os instrumentos criados pelas Nações Unidas e pelo Conselho da Europa, incluindo a Convenção de Istambul, são referências nos esforços para combater a violência, mas não são suficientes se não forem acompanhados por uma política holística e séria que envolva todos os atores societais.
               

                  Congratulo-me com a Estratégia Europeia para a Igualdade de Género 2020-2025 e aguardamos impacientemente o texto final das negociações com o Conselho para a diretiva relativa ao combate à violência contra as mulheres e à violência doméstica.
               

                  Embora existam semelhanças entre as políticas nacionais de combate à violência contra as mulheres, os Estados-Membros adotaram abordagens diferentes para o problema. Precisamos urgentemente de mais Europa, a uma só voz, para eliminar a violência contra as mulheres.
               

Łukasz Kohut (S&D). – Panie Przewodniczący! Prawo antyprzemocowe od Katowic do Lizbony. Wspólnie z Arbą Kokalari przeprowadziliśmy przez Parlament przyjęcie konwencji stambulskiej w całej Unii. Ramię w ramię socjaldemokrata i chadeczka. Ponad podziałami w głosowaniu: koalicja praw kobiet, lewica, liberałowie, konserwatyści i zieloni. Jednak nie możemy spocząć na laurach. Potrzebujemy ambitnej dyrektywy przeciwdziałającej przemocy ze względu na płeć. Bądźmy odważni.
               

                  Spójrzcie na Polskę. Niedawno, jak wiecie, odbyły się wybory z niewiarygodną, wysoką frekwencją. Kobiety tłumnie poszły na te wybory, a ich głos zaważył, głos kobiet, które nam zaufały. Dlatego nie odpuścimy sprawy aborcji. Lewica złożyła już dwa projekty ustaw zakładających liberalizację prawa aborcyjnego i depenalizację pomocy przy przerywaniu ciąży. Wywalczymy należne kobietom prawo, czy to się panu Kaczyńskiemu podoba, czy też nie.
               

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señor presidente, el terrorismo doméstico mata cada año a miles de mujeres y a cientos de sus hijos e hijas, apoyándose en la discriminación, en prejuicios grabados a fuego en muchos subconscientes.
               

                  Por eso, todas y todos tenemos una primera e inaplazable responsabilidad: identificar y combatir la desigualdad; aprender y enseñar a erradicarla en la vida cotidiana; asumir que la igualdad es una pieza básica para la calidad de nuestro Estado de Derecho y obrar en consecuencia.
               

                  Tenemos trabajo: combatir el abuso de poder y la dominación y los prejuicios que impulsan a los asesinos de mujeres; denunciar el consumo precoz de pornografía que ocupa el campo que deja libre la oposición hipócrita y mojigata a la educación sexual en las escuelas; apoyar la formación de policías, jueces, unidades de atención a las víctimas de la violencia de género; sumarse a las manifestaciones de condena de los crímenes machistas; rebelarse contra las leyes que recortan los derechos de las mujeres, que atentan contra nuestra salud sexual y reproductiva.
               

                  En el camino hacia la igualdad, detenerse es retroceder. En la Europa de los valores, ningún Estado miembro puede dar la espalda al Convenio de Estambul.
               

Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE). – Senhor Presidente, Senhores Comissários, 51 mulheres assassinadas em Espanha, duas delas na Galiza, assassinadas pela violência de género durante este ano. Mas este facto é só a ponta do icebergue do machismo enraizado na nossa sociedade, já que por detrás dos números há vidas destruídas pelo terrorismo machista.
               

                  Neste dia 25 de novembro queremos denunciar que os feminicídios e a violência brutal, transversal e estrutural atravessa todas as esferas da sociedade, umas mais visíveis e outras invisíveis, subtis, ocultas.
               

                  Estas violências estão presentes: só na Galiza houve mais de 3 400 denúncias de violência machista no primeiro semestre do ano, e ainda assim vemos como ela é negada e banalizada por determinados partidos e forças de extrema-direita.
               

                  Temos que continuar a pôr os óculos violeta para detetar todas as condutas machistas e lutar contra elas. Só assim conseguiremos uma sociedade mais igualitária, lá, aqui, em toda a Europa e no mundo.
               

                  E tal como rematam as manifestações ocorridas no meu país, aqui está, aqui se vê o feminismo galego em pé.
               

Ivan David (ID). – Pane předsedající, Evropská unie si zřejmě přeje být neúspěšná, protože si klade nedosažitelné cíle. Násilí lze omezit, ale ne vymýtit. Příčiny násilí na ženách jsou dvě. Jednak agresivita, za kterou odpovídají zejména hormony, jednak jde o asociální chování a primitivismus v důsledku nedostatečné výchovy. Někteří jedinci jsou ovšem nevychovatelní a neovlivnitelní, dokonce ani přísnými tresty. Pokud by byla deklarovaná ambice nižší, realistická, tedy snížení násilí na ženách, pak by mělo jít o zaměření výchovy k vzájemnému respektu a nezneužívání fyzické převahy.
               

                  Dále by bylo nutné zásadně omezit příliv muslimských imigrantů s jejich ideologií podporující vynucování podřízenosti a poslušnosti žen silou, provádění ženských obřízek a takzvaných vražd ze cti neposlušných dcer a sester. No-go zóny jsou mimo vliv policie. Pokud zásadně neomezíme migraci z islámských zemí a nezajistíme bezpečnost a náležitou výchovu, je vyhlášení Mezinárodního dne proti násilí na ženách pouhé pokrytectví.
               

Maria Walsh (PPE). – Mr President, there will always be more tears, more women murdered by their partners, women kidnapped and tortured in war zones, women raped by strangers. Femicide, female genital mutilation, sexual assault, revenge porn, online abuse – women live in fear.
Irishwoman Ashling Murphy went for a very simple run on a bright Wednesday afternoon in January, and she was one of 12 women murdered in Ireland last year. Every year we shed tears over senseless and inhumane acts of violence against women, and there are times where I wonder whether we have become desensitised to it all. Certainly, my colleague who spoke before me has no emotion at all towards us or women who lose their lives.
Many women no longer feel safe when they are out for a walk or waiting for a bus. For many, home is not even safe. Most of us know someone who's been sexually assaulted. More and more of us are recognising that we or people we know have experienced domestic or emotional abuse, and those numbers are rising. And there are tears. Fearful, empathetic, angry tears.
There are always more victims. There are always more women we have failed to protect. And today, let us take the time to recognise that we have not made European women feel safe. And let us take a moment to recognise the fear still remains.
Let us also take those tears, that emotion, that anger, and turn it into change and fundamentally call out the nonsensical commentary from the extreme right, like my colleague before. We cannot drag our heels on the Violence against Women Directive, and I call on EU governments – Spanish missing here today – to push for an agreement on this immediately if we are serious about protecting women and young girls.

Maria Noichl (S&D). – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ich habe ein Déjà-vu-Erlebnis: Als deutsche Abgeordnete erlebe ich etwas das zweite, das dritte, vielleicht sogar das fünfte Mal: eine Situation, dass Deutschland im Rat etwas blockiert, obwohl es in Deutschland längst in Gesetz umgesetzt ist. Sie erinnern sich vielleicht mit mir zusammen an die Women-on-Boards-Richtlinie. Die Women-on-Boards-Richtlinie war in Deutschland schon lange umgesetzt, aber Angela Merkel hatte sie im Rat blockiert.
               

                  Jetzt ist es ähnlich: Das Thema ‘Nein heißt Nein’, das Thema ‘Ja heißt Ja’ ist in Deutschland längst umgesetzt. Und deswegen möchte ich ganz konkret Justizminister Buschmann aus Deutschland ansprechen: Wie kann es sein, dass Deutschland im Rat etwas blockiert, das Deutschland gut findet für deutsche Frauen? Wie kann es sein, dass Deutschland im Rat etwas blockiert und damit europäische Frauen nicht an dem gleichen Rechtsgut teilhaben lässt? Ich kann es nicht verstehen.
               

                  Unser Justizminister Buschmann von der FDP will im Rat blockieren, dass Vergewaltigung als Definition in die Richtlinie aufgenommen wird. Das dürfen wir nicht zulassen, das darf nicht sein! Das kann nicht sein, dass das große Land Deutschland in Europa diese Richtlinie blockiert.
               

Svenja Hahn (Renew). – Herr Präsident! Kollegen, wir haben heute schon gehört, wie viele unterschiedliche Gesichter die Gewalt gegen Frauen und Mädchen hat. Ich möchte gerne vor allen Dingen heute über das Thema digitale Gewalt reden, denn jeden Tag werden Frauen auf Social Media beleidigt, belästigt und bedroht. Und diese Nachrichten dringen pfeilschnell in unsere Privatsphäre ein, denn wir alle haben unser Handy stets griffbereit.
               

                  Eine von zehn Frauen in der EU hat schon Belästigung online erlebt. Das ist eine schrecklich hohe Zahl, aber nicht schrecklich überraschend. Auch ich bin eine von ihnen, und ich würde darauf wetten, dass viele Kolleginnen hier auch schon Belästigung online erlebt haben, denn wenn Frauen exponiert sind, wenn sie eine starke Meinung vertreten, werden sie sehr schnell mit Anfeindungen und Belästigungen überzogen – insbesondere oft befeuert von politischen Parteien hier auf der rechten Seite des Hauses.
               

                  Wir dürfen nicht zulassen, dass Frauen sich aus öffentlichen Räumen zurückziehen, sich aus Debatten fernhalten, weil sie Angst haben müssen – Angst um ihre körperliche und mentale Gesundheit und ihre Sicherheit. Wir müssen Online-Belästigung genauso ernst nehmen wie jede Belästigung offline. Und wir müssen das vor allen Dingen mit aller Härte des Rechtsstaats verfolgen, denn eine lebendige Demokratie braucht starke weibliche Stimmen im Diskurs.
               

Katrin Langensiepen (Verts/ALE). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ja heißt Ja, Nein heißt Nein, und wir wiederholen diese Forderung mantraartig jedes Mal seit Generationen. Für eine ähnliche, vergleichbare Forderung ist schon meine Mutter Anfang der 70er-Jahre auf die Straße gegangen. Und wir wiederholen es immer und immer wieder. Ich glaube, wir können sagen: Erzieht nicht eure Töchter, sondern erzieht eure Söhne!
               

                  Und Herr Buschmann, zu Ihnen: Ihre Blockadehaltung diesem Gesetz, dieser Richtlinie hier gegenüber ist eine Schande für die Europäische Union! Ich verstehe es nicht, dass das, was Deutschland schon ratifiziert hat, wie die Istanbul-Konvention – und jetzt komme ich auch zu der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention, wo ähnliches drinsteht; jede zweite Frau mit Behinderung ist Opfer von Gewalt! Die Form der Gewalt, die können wir uns aussuchen. Und dass Deutschland, dass Minister Buschmann von der FDP hier blockiert und sagt, es gibt keine rechtliche Grundlage, ist einfach eine Lüge.
               

Sunčana Glavak (PPE). – Hvala lijepa predsjedavajući, poštovana povjerenice, kolegice i kolege, gotovo 736 milijuna žena iznad 15 godina diljem svijeta iskusilo je nasilje od intimnog partnera ili seksualno nasilje od strane ne-partnera.
               

                  Ovo nisu samo statistike Svjetske banke, ovo su glasovi, lica i životi žena koje zahtijevaju našu hitnu akciju. Navest ću jedan dobar primjer iz moje zemlje Hrvatske. Najavljene su izmjene Kaznenog zakona u kaznenom postupku koji uključuju prepoznavanje zločina femicida i strože kazne za nasilnike, uključujući dulje zatvorske kazne za silovanje. Možda je to dobar put.
               

                  Ovo je značajan korak i s time se moramo složiti. Međutim, što nam treba? Ključne mjere: olakšati prijavu nasilja, pružiti ženama više mogućnosti da traže pomoć, povećati osviještenost i obuku policijskog i pravosudnog osoblja te povećati financijsku neovisnost žena. Moramo riješiti ove strukturne nejednakosti.
               

                  Većina nasilnika ostaje neregistrirana, a to imamo statistički dokazano, zbog straha od prijavljivanja nasilnika. Čuli smo podatke – Covid je sve ovo povećao. UN je jučer objavio zastrašujući podatak da se nasilje prošle godine povećalo najviše u proteklih 20 godina. Gotovo 89 000 žena i djevojaka doživjelo je nasilje.
               

                  Samo se slabići služe nasiljem nad ženama kako bi se osjećali većima, a mi ne okrećimo glavu, ne zatvarajmo prozore, nego budimo glasni i prijavimo nasilje. Tako ćemo unijeti promjenu u naše društvo i biti doista ravnopravni.
               

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, cuando en este Parlamento Europeo estamos precisamente conversando a propósito del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia contra la Mujer, es bueno poner en valor que en esta legislatura hemos conseguido, nada menos, que la Unión Europea ratifique el Convenio de Estambul, que es la gran señal de compromiso en la eliminación de toda forma de violencia contra las mujeres y creó un estándar común en Europa. Porque hay Estados miembros —y lo digo con satisfacción— que sobresalen, como España, mientras que otros están más atrás.
               

                  Pero esto hay que ponerlo también en contacto con el trabajo legislativo que estamos haciendo: la actualización de la Directiva sobre la protección de las víctimas y, naturalmente, la Directiva sobre la lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres, que tiene que ser completada antes de finalizar este mandato. Y, en paralelo, la actualización de la Directiva relativa a la prevención y lucha contra la trata de seres humanos, que intenta indicar el camino a los Estados miembros para que sancionen toda forma de consumo de víctimas de trata y de explotación no solamente laboral, sino sexual, con un mensaje claro al paisaje de prostitución que se ensaña en toda la Unión Europea contra víctimas de trata, un ámbito en el que la Unión Europea tiene que legislar con gran determinación.
               

                  Y termino diciendo que este trabajo es expresivo de un compromiso todavía pendiente: completar la adhesión al Convenio Europeo de Derechos Humanos de modo que digamos con toda claridad que toda forma de discriminación y violencia contra la mujer es una forma de violación de los derechos humanos.
               

PRESIDÊNCIA: PEDRO SILVA PEREIRA


Vice-Presidente


Vlad-Marius Botoș (Renew). – Domnule vicepreședinte, doamnă vicepreședintă a Comisiei, doamnelor, domnilor, peste 50 % din populația Uniunii Europene, aproximativ 225 de milioane de persoane, sunt femei.
                  

                     În secolul nostru, în vremurile noastre, când am adoptat valorile democratice, când recunoaștem drepturile omului ca fiind baza societății noastre, mai vorbim încă de violență împotriva femeilor, ca despre un fenomen masiv, real, care afectează mult prea multe femei: de la abuzurile fizice la dependența economică, la tradiții și cutume care încă mai învață femeile că trebuie să îi ierte și chiar la localități care nu oferă siguranță femeilor care vor sau trebuie să meargă singure seara pe stradă.
                  

                     Toate acestea pot, și trebuie să fie considerate, forme de violență împotriva femeilor. Putem adopta legi, le putem impune și facem asta, însă, pentru ca violența să nu mai fie un fenomen masiv, trebuie să schimbăm mentalități. Trebuie să educăm băieții și bărbații că violența împotriva femeilor nu poate fi și nu este acceptată de societatea noastră, de noi toți.
                  

Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ-Βρυωνίδη (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, συζητούμε σήμερα για την έμφυλη βία στη σκιά πολέμων που συμβαίνουν στην ευρύτερη γειτονιά της Ευρώπης και αφήνουν πίσω τους εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες γυναίκες, άγρια κακοποιημένες, βυθισμένες και δολοφονημένες, και μάνες με τα μωρά στην αγκαλιά ξεριζωμένες, χωρίς ελπίδα. Πρέπει να μας στοιχειώνουν αυτές οι εικόνες ντροπής. Αλλά και σε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο και στην ήπειρό μας φυσικά, εν καιρώ ειρήνης, οι γυναίκες κακοποιούνται καθημερινά με κάθε μορφή βίας, ενώ τα περιστατικά αυξάνονται με ανησυχητικούς ρυθμούς. Η ολοκλήρωση της ευρωπαϊκής νομοθεσίας για την οποία νιώθουμε υπερηφάνεια και πρέπει —το τονίζουμε— να συμπεριλαμβάνει τον βιασμό στα εγκλήματα μείζονος απαξίας, δεν μπορεί από μόνη της να ελέγξει το αποτρόπαιο αυτό φαινόμενο που μαστίζει τις κοινωνίες μας.
                  

                     Έχουμε ανάγκη νέων κοινών ευρωπαϊκών προτύπων για την αποτελεσματική αντιμετώπιση της βίας. Διότι η ανάληψη πανευρωπαϊκών δράσεων σε συνεργασία με αρμόδιους φορείς και γυναικείες οργανώσεις παραμένει μεν η βασική προτεραιότητά μας στην επιτροπή FEMM με πολύ σημαντικό νομοθετικό και πολιτικό έργο, όμως, συνάδελφοι, δεν πρέπει να ξεχνάμε ότι η έμφυλη βία εδράζεται στη στρεβλή αντίληψη για την ισότητα των φύλων. Με αυτή την παραδοχή, αυτό το δεδομένο, έχουμε ηθική υποχρέωση να γαλουχήσουμε τις νέες γενιές, ξεκινώντας από τη στοιχειώδη εκπαίδευση, ώστε οι νέοι να γνωρίζουν από πολύ μικρή ηλικία ότι όλοι οι άνθρωποι, ανεξαρτήτως φύλου, έχουν ίσα δικαιώματα και υποχρεώσεις.
                  

Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D). – Señor presidente, no hay mejor manera de celebrar este 25N que aprobando —por fin— una Directiva sobre la lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres. Una buena Directiva que permita acabar de una vez con la violencia que sufren las mujeres, avanzar en prevención y mejorar el trato a las víctimas y a sus familias.
                  

                     La Comisión y el Parlamento lo tenemos claro, pero es fundamental que el Consejo, que los Estados miembros acepten incluir la violación como delito de violencia contra las mujeres, sobre la base del consentimiento, de ese ‘Solo sí es sí’. Un camino abierto, toda vez que la Unión Europea ha ratificado finalmente el Convenio de Estambul y que este ya ha entrado en vigor. Un Convenio que haríamos muy bien en respetar.
                  

                     Porque no podemos dar pasos atrás, no queremos ni aceptaremos descafeinar la Directiva sobre la lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres permitiendo que la ola de extrema derecha, populista y negacionista de la violencia machista, siga amparando, siga alimentando que miles de mujeres sean asesinadas por el simple hecho de ser mujeres.
                  

                     Toda Europa debe estar a la altura, por respeto a las mujeres —sin duda— y, también, por respeto a nuestros valores fundamentales.
                  

Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, viols, mutilations génitales, violences physiques, harcèlement, trafic humain, mariage forcé avant ses 18 ans, voilà à quoi doit s'attendre une femme sur trois aujourd'hui dans sa vie. Ces statistiques font froid dans le dos. Mais ce ne sont pas de simples chiffres, ce sont les vies de mères, de sœurs et de filles ici en Europe et ailleurs. Chaque cas de violence est une tragédie qui doit trouver une réponse ferme et unifiée de notre part en Europe. Une femme doit vivre sans crainte, sans être réduite au silence par la peur. Nous rejetons catégoriquement toute les formes de violence, qu'elles soient sexuelles, physiques, morales, économiques, psychologiques, en ligne comme hors ligne.
                  

                     J'appelle donc à l'action collective, à la mise en place de politiques et de législations plus strictes pour punir les agresseurs, pour protéger et recueillir la parole des victimes. La honte doit changer de camp: cela ne doit pas être qu'un slogan, ce doit être une réalité.
                  

                     L'éducation est la clé: nous devons enseigner le respect mutuel, le consentement dès le plus jeune âge, aux filles et aux garçons. Nous construirons ensemble un avenir exempt de violences et de discriminations, et cela fait partie du pacte Simone Veil que nous avons initié au sein du groupe Renew. Oui, l'Europe doit devenir un exemple de tolérance zéro envers la violence à l'égard des femmes. Après les paroles, maintenant agissons!
                  

Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, Cara Comissária, Caros Colegas, desde o início deste ano 15 mulheres foram mortas no meu país pelos seus atuais ou antigos companheiros. No ano passado registaram-se 22 feminicídios em contexto de relações de intimidade, existentes ou passadas. Estes números, que me envergonham, não são caso único de Portugal. A violência contra as mulheres, sob diversas formas, continua enraizada em vários Estados-Membros.
                  

                     Temos de agir em conjunto para resolver um problema que é de todos. A União Europeia é muito mais do que um bloco económico. A promoção de bem-estar dos seus cidadãos é um objetivo inscrito nos tratados, tais como são o combate à discriminação sob todas as formas e a promoção da igualdade entre homens e mulheres. A violência de género não tem lugar neste espaço comum que partilhamos. A complacência com a violência contra as mulheres não é aceitável, nem dentro das nossas fronteiras, nem na nossa relação com países terceiros. Estes princípios devem ser absolutamente claros para todos.
                  

                     Em fevereiro deste ano, finalmente, o Conselho aprovou a ratificação da Convenção de Istambul para o Combate à Violência Contra as Mulheres. Mas é imperioso que todos os 27 Estados-Membros, sem exceções, façam o mesmo e é imperioso que adotemos uma diretiva criminalizando todas as formas de violência contra as mulheres, incluindo a violação baseada na falta de consentimento.
                  

                     Não basta apregoarmos os nossos valores. Temos a obrigação moral de os aplicar e de responsabilizar quem não os respeita. O silêncio e a inação são formas de cumplicidade com a violência.
                  

Carina Ohlsson (S&D). – Herr talman! Kommissionen. Aida, 29 år, studenten som är rak på sak, men med ett enormt hjärta, dödades av sin pojkvän. Tally, 50 år, hon som precis tagit motorcykelkörkort och som alltid spred glädje omkring sig. Hon dödades av sin sambo. Somayyeh, 40-årig operationssjuksköterska. Hon som beskrivs som ambitiös, kärleksfull och trygg, dödades av sin man. Carine, 27 år. Hon med så många drömmar i livet, som var utåtriktad och omtänksam, dödades av sin man.
                  

                     Det här är fyra av de kvinnor som förra året blev mördade i Sverige av en man som de älskar eller har älskat. Varje vecka mördas 50 kvinnor i EU av en man hon har eller haft en relation med.
                  

                     Kvinnor mördas just för att de är kvinnor. Dödsorsak: kvinna. Det kan till och med ske inför deras barn. Detta måste få ett slut. Vi behöver en gemensam stark EU-lagstiftning mot mäns våld mot kvinnor.
                  

Monica Semedo (Renew). – Mr President, home should be where one feels and is safe, but for many women it is a place of fear and insecurity. They are afraid for their lives and the lives of their children. Domestic violence is not always visible and victims are often afraid to speak out, to seek help, and they are afraid of the consequences if, finally, they would manage to escape.
On the day for the Elimination of Violence against Women my message is clear: domestic violence is a crime, and it is a human right to be protected from it everywhere. And we must move forward with legislation. That is why I call upon the six EU Member States that refused so far to ratify the Istanbul Convention to protect women everywhere.
And to the victims: you are not alone. Don't feel embarrassed. Don't hide. Speak out. I want you safe. I want you alive.

Deirdre Clune (PPE). – Mr President, on this International Day, when we remember violence against women and we acknowledge that it does exist, we should think of all those women and young girls in war-torn conflict areas who are victims of unspeakable torture and violence. Violence against women in all its forms is a weapon of war, and is being used as we speak today as a weapon.
Here in Europe, one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence. Many of it goes unreported due to issues such as silence, stigma and the reluctance to share, because of its reception in our societies.
It is crucial that we break barriers to ensure effective intervention, and the Istanbul Convention was designed to do that. It, with all its requirements, will need to be implemented across the European Union – and all Member States need to recognise that. The Convention recognises all forms of violence, psychological, stalking, physical, sexual, including rape and sexual harassment.
We need to provide support for victims of violence, and help them to engage with our legal services to share their stories, and we thank all those who have come forward, who have been brave. They have empowered others. They have also shone a light on the issues surrounding violence against women, particularly in the area of rape and sexual assault.
So, today, we think of all those women who are victims of violence and assault in our communities, and we call on all Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention.

Predrag Fred Matić (S&D). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, povjerenice, Međunarodni dan borbe protiv nasilja nad ženama daje nam priliku da osvijestimo crnu statistiku i opasnosti u kojoj se nalaze djevojčice i žene diljem svijeta.
                  

                     Procjenjuje se da je 736 milijuna žena u svijetu, gotovo jedna od tri, bilo izloženo fizičkom ili seksualnom nasilju barem jednom u životu. Ovogodišnja globalna kampanja povodom 25. studenoga poziva vlade širom svijeta da izlože kako ulažu u prevenciju rodno uvjetovanog nasilja, a slogan pod kojim se kampanja obilježava jest No excuse.
                  

                     Ja ću danas iskoristiti priliku da se obratim državama članicama Europske unije, koje u Vijeću raspravljaju o našoj novoj direktivi o suzbijanju nasilja nad ženama i odbijaju uvrstiti silovanje kao EU kazneno djelo. Kolegice i kolege iz europskih vlada, nema isprike, odnosno no excuse. Seksualno nasilje jedno je od najčešćih oblika nasilja i vrijeme je da ga kao takvog i sankcioniramo.
                  

                     Pozdravljam napore Komisije i pozivam Vijeće da osiguraju Europsku uniju slobodnu od nasilja ,od seksualnih napada i silovanja i da konačno pošaljemo jasnu poruku: samo da znači da!
                  

Francesca Peppucci (PPE). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ogni giorno informiamo e approfondiamo le violenze che vengono compiute a danno delle donne, un sesso che ancora oggi viene visto come un sesso debole, che può essere dominato. Purtroppo, però vediamo come i numeri non tendono a diminuire. Pertanto serve un'azione decisa perché, purtroppo, le iniziative di sensibilizzazione e informazione, che devono essere mantenute, non bastano più.
                  

                     Le violenze a carico delle donne crescono come un'epidemia silenziosa che può maturare fino ad arrivare alla morte. Dotiamo l'Europa di norme severe che valgano per tutti, affinché venga riconosciuto il reato di stalking in ogni Paese membro, dove lo stupro sia riconosciuto come un reato europeo e non ci siano attenuanti. Non giustifichiamo più gli atteggiamenti aggressivi di alcuni uomini solo perché collegati alla loro cultura. Mettiamo le vittime nella condizione di poter sempre denunciare, indipendentemente dalla propria condizione sociale.
                  

                     Qua voglio evidenziare una situazione che troppo spesso viene taciuta: tuteliamo le donne con disabilità perché i numeri ci dicono come queste siano doppiamente discriminate in ogni ambito rispetto a una donna senza disabilità. E mettiamo fine in ogni paese dell'Unione europea all'inumana sterilizzazione forzata delle donne che vivono una condizione di disabilità.
                  

                     ‘Donna sottomettiti, donna ubbidiscimi, donna non farmi arrabbiare, donna se non fai come ti dico, donna se mi denunci io ti uccido’. Le donne devono essere libere dalla paura, non solo in Europa, ma in ogni parte del mondo.
                  

Alessandra Moretti (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, in questi giorni il mio Paese è stato scosso dalla morte di Giulia Cecchettin, che è stata uccisa dal suo ex fidanzato. Per trovare l'autore di un femminicidio non serve cercare lontano. Purtroppo, come Giulia, c'è una donna che muore ogni tre giorni per mano di un marito, un compagno, un ex. Giulia Cecchettin poteva essere una di noi, poteva essere nostra figlia, nostra sorella, nostra amica.
                  

                     Non bastano le leggi, non bastano le pene severe. Quello che serve è una vera rivoluzione educativa che scardini quella cultura patriarcale e misogina che continua a uccidere le donne. E dobbiamo in primis educare i nostri figli maschi, perché quello dei femminicidi è un problema degli uomini, non delle ragazze, non delle nostre figlie. Uomini che non sono capaci di accettare un no. Per questo dobbiamo introdurre come materia scolastica obbligatoria l'educazione all'affettività, al rispetto reciproco.
                  

                     L'accesso a un'educazione sessuale affettiva deve essere un diritto dei nostri ragazzi per preservare la loro salute, il loro benessere e, in alcuni casi, la loro vita. Ragazze ribellatevi, perché la libertà si conquista alzando la voce, distruggendo gli stereotipi, la cultura retrograda che continua ad uccidere. Ragazzi unitevi alle vostre amiche, compagne, mogli o sorelle, perché la violenza contro le donne uccide anche voi.
                  

Radka Maxová (S&D). – Pane předsedající, i dnes v jednadvacátém století je násilí vůči ženám a domácí násilí všudypřítomné a krize situaci ještě zhoršují. V Evropské unii postihuje násilí každou třetí ženu. Každá desátá žena byla obětí sexuálního násilí a jedna z dvaceti žen byla znásilněna. Genderově podmíněné násilí se objevuje i na internetu. Setkala se tam s ním každá druhá žena. Téměř každá druhá žena zažila také psychologické násilí ze strany partnera. To má velmi negativní vliv na fyzické i duševní zdraví nejen oběti, ale i jejího okolí.
                  

                     Bohužel i zde žijeme ve světě, kde se nemůžeme cítit stoprocentně bezpeční, nejen když jsme po setmění venku, ale sami také ve vlastních domech. Nejčastějším pachatelem sexuálního násilí jsou totiž blízcí obětí. Evropský parlament přijal velmi ambiciózní postoj ke směrnici o potírání domácího násilí a násilí vůči ženám. Bude to těžký boj, ale věřím, že se nakonec povede nalézt dobrý kompromis, který bude obsahovat jak definici znásilnění, tak důležité body pro oběti, jako je monitorovací systém pro pachatele a právní pomoc.
                  

Camilla Laureti (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, pochi giorni fa – e abbiamo parlato in tanti – l'Italia è stata scossa dall'ennesimo femminicidio: Giulia Cecchettin, 22 anni uccisa dal suo ex fidanzato.
                  

                     Siamo tristi e addolorate ma soprattutto molto arrabbiate. A Padova, durante la commemorazione dedicata a Giulia presso l'università dove avrebbe dovuto laurearsi prima di morire e dove sarà fatta una cerimonia per la sua laurea, di fronte alla richiesta del minuto di silenzio, le compagne di Giulia hanno scelto di battere chiavi e borracce, hanno scelto di fare rumore. E così in tante scuole e atenei: basta con il silenzio!
                  

                     La violenza maschile sulle donne è una violazione dei diritti umani. È un fenomeno pubblico e strutturale e la causa è la relazione gerarchica fra i sessi, da sempre totalmente sbilanciata a favore dell'uomo. Per sconfiggere questo fenomeno ignobile – l'ha definito così anche il presidente della Repubblica Mattarella – dobbiamo partire dall'educazione alla parità, fin dalla scuola.
                  

                     La sfida è culturale e nessuna legge potrà mai arrestare questo fenomeno senza una rivoluzione culturale che parta da tutti noi.
                  

Cristian Terheș (ECR). – Mr President, dear colleagues, it is odd to hear left-wing MEPs today pretending to care about violence against women, when in fact they constantly vote to undermine the identity, safety and protection offered to women by the law. There is no bigger threat or form of violence against women than to claim, or even vote, that there is no difference between men and women, or that any man who pretends or claims to be a woman should, in the eyes of the law, be treated as a woman. Based on this absurd premise, male perverts who pretend to be women are allowed now in different countries to serve criminal sentences in female prisons, where some of them physically and sexually assault women. Sportsmen who failed in their male categories are now allowed to compete in female sports category, where they obviously win. Male perverts who pretend to be women can walk fully exposed in women's spas or even women's restrooms without any repercussions. Men – and even ugly men – compete now in women's beauty contests, where they absurdly even win.
The legal protection that we must offer to women against any kind of violence must start from the premise that a woman is different than a man. Biology and genetics are real, while gender ideology and trans activism clearly leads to violence against women.
Allowing a man who pretends to be a woman to be seen in the eyes of the law as a woman is exposing the actual woman to violence, discrimination and abuse in ways never seen before, and this insanity must stop.

Catch-the-eye procedure


Caterina Chinnici (PPE). – Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, ‘Giornata per l'eliminazione della violenza contro le donne’, contro le donne, perché le parole contano. Donne e ragazze subiscono violenza fisica, sessuale, psicologica, economica soltanto perché donne. La realtà dei numeri nel mondo e nell'Unione europea è drammatica.
                  

                     La vicenda di Giulia Cecchettin – e ringrazio la Presidente Metsola che ha voluto ricordarla in quest'Aula – ci ha colpito fortemente perché Giulia era semplicemente una ragazza: poteva essere nostra figlia, nostra sorella, una di noi. E il ragazzo che l'ha uccisa poteva essere nostro figlio, nostro fratello – e lo dico agli uomini – uno di voi.
                  

                     Bene allora la nuova direttiva, bene l'adesione dell'Unione alla Convenzione di Istanbul. Ma educazione, prevenzione, protezione e repressione da sole non bastano: occorre promuovere un cambiamento culturale profondo che coinvolga famiglie, scuole, università, istituzioni, social e media per superare la cultura del possesso e del controllo, che di questa intollerabile violenza contro le donne è causa.
                  

Matjaž Nemec (S&D). – Spoštovani predsedujoči, spoštovani visoki zbor! Evropa se mora jasno postaviti na stran žensk in deklic in postati varen prostor, kjer ni prostora za nasilje, ni prostora za spolno izkoriščanje in zlorabe. Da to dosežemo, spoštovani, potrebujemo skladen evropski pravni okvir, ki je trenutno predmet pogajanj med institucijami Evropske unije.
                  

                     Na mizi imamo direktivo o boju proti nasilju nad ženskami in v družini, do katere smo v Evropskem parlamentu zavzeli jasno in napredno stališče. Ta mora biti v celoti usklajena z določbami Istanbulske konvencije in da kaznivo dejanje posilstva ni nič drugega kot kaznivo dejanje.
                  

                     Samo ja pomeni ja. Njegova definicija pa mora temeljiti na privolitvi. Preprečiti moramo poskus nekaterih držav članic, spoštovani, da boj proti nasilju ostane neusklajen na evropski ravni. Na tem mestu pozdravljam vse napore moje države Slovenije kot ene izmed držav z uzakonjenim njenim modelom ‘samo ja je ja’. Ostale članice pa, spoštovani, pozivam, da temu sledijo in zagotovijo ustrezno pravno zaščito vsem Evropejkam še pred iztekom tega mandata seveda.
                  

Barry Andrews (Renew). – Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the murder of Ashling Murphy in January 2022 forced a collective reckoning with violence against women that is anything but random.
Over one year on from Ashling's death and ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we must ask ourselves what has changed for the women of Ireland? According to Women's Aid, 244 women have died violently in Ireland since 1996. The National Women's Council recently warned that violence against women is at epidemic levels in Ireland.
Late night safety is a serious issue, with fear and harassment a reality for many women. Today serves as a stark reminder of the need for practical and impactful initiatives to combat gender-based violence. Vienna, for example, has been committed to gender mainstreaming since 2000. High-quality public lighting and improved safety measures in underground car parks have been implemented.
As well as this, tougher sentencing needs to be imposed for those who commit gender-based violence. Judges cannot impose minimum sentence terms in Ireland, while in the UK they can. In fact, the judge presiding over Ashling Murphy's case lamented that he did not have the power to do so, given that the case was so far up the scale of gravity.

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, violence against women is barbaric. Over 3000 women have been violently killed in Gaza in less than 50 days. Israel has unleashed its four horsemen of the apocalypse on the women of Gaza: death, famine, war and conquest. It has given them two choices: leave Gaza or die. More Palestinian women will be killed, not just with bombs and bullets, but from hunger and epidemics. The handful of aid trucks into Gaza is a cynic public relations play. Humanitarian corridors, pauses in the shelling – these are vehicles to facilitate the depopulation of Gaza, just as the two-state solution has become a fig leaf for inaction, for allowing Israel to continue with its settler colonial project. Where's the outcry for the women of Gaza? Where our humanitarian interventionists is now? The ones who wept crocodile tears for women and human rights in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Yemen, just to justify arms shipments and war. It would make you sick.

Ljudmila Novak (PPE). – Spoštovani predsedujoči, spoštovana gospa komisarka! Reševanje problemov z nasiljem v nobenem primeru ni opravičljivo in ni sprejemljivo. Kot telesno šibkejše so nasilju največkrat izpostavljene ženske, ne samo v družbah, kjer se morajo ženske popolnoma podrediti moškim, pač pa žal tudi v naših demokratičnih družbah.
                  

                     Nasilje je izraz šibkosti in nesposobnosti, da bi nekdo na spoštljiv in primeren način reševal probleme. Oče, ki udari mater svojih otrok, se mora vprašati, kakšno rano in trpljenje je s tem povzročil tudi svojim otrokom. Ta udarec jih lahko zaznamuje za vse življenje, žal negativno.
                  

                     Moj najlepši spomin na očeta in mamo je prav ta, da sem lahko videla in občudovala njuno medsebojno spoštovanje in skrb drug za drugega v starosti. In to je tudi najlepša popotnica za otroke, ki jo lahko dajo starši svojim otrokom.
                  

                     Ozaveščanje, opozarjanje in zakonodaja lahko pripomorejo k izboljšanju stanja v družbi.
                  

Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D). – Senhor Presidente, a crescente importância do digital nas nossas vidas, a ciberviolência, cria mais um grave problema para as mulheres. Uma em cada dez, muitas vezes jovens, já foi vítima de perseguição ou assédio virtual, ou de práticas de chantagem conhecidas como o ‘revenge porn’, onde imagens ou vídeos sexuais explícitos são partilhados sem o seu consentimento.
                  

                     Precisamos assim de um esforço maior, ao nível da União Europeia, para garantir que o espaço digital é um lugar seguro para mulheres e raparigas. Prevenir, em vez de remediar o que muitas vezes já não tem remédio, é mesmo o que tem de acontecer.
                  

                     A ciberviolência contra as mulheres e raparigas é uma peste em formato digital que merece de todos e de todas nós um combate sem tréguas.
                  

Clare Daly (The Left). – Mr President, I think it would be utterly hypocritical of us to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women without calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, because what greater violence is there than murder? And in the last 47 days, at least 3800 Palestinian women have been murdered in Gaza by the apartheid state of Israel. 800,000 of them have been displaced. 50,000 of those are pregnant – against a shattered health service, they're undergoing caesarean sections on hospital floors without anaesthetic. Register and recognise the violence of that.
Now the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women has said that since 7 October, the assault on Palestinian women's rights has reached new and terrifying dimensions. But this has not only started in October; Palestinian women have endured years of ruthless violence under Israeli occupation. Ahed Tamimi was a symbol of Palestinian resistance in 2017, when she was imprisoned at the age of 16. She is now back in prison again. We have to stand by all women. Release Ahed Tamimi.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, Giulia si sarebbe dovuta laureare in ingegneria il 16 novembre. Ma quel giorno a ricevere quel riconoscimento per cui tanto aveva studiato e tanto si era impegnata, non si è potuta presentare, vittima incolpevole di una violenza cieca, insensata, che l'ha brutalmente picchiata nel fisico e annientata nell'anima, fino a portarle via la vita.
                  

                     Secondo i dati del 2023 di UN Women, circa 736 milioni di donne come Giulia sono state sottoposte a violenza fisica e sessuale, o a entrambe, almeno una volta nella propria vita. Dati esorbitanti a cui si aggiungono anche quelli relativi alla comunità LGBTI+. Neanche sei mesi fa l'Unione europea ha aderito alla Convenzione di Istanbul, nonostante numerosi Stati, tra cui l'Ungheria, non ne facciano ancora parte.
                  

                     Il 25 novembre celebreremo questa Giornata internazionale per l'eliminazione della violenza di genere: ma qualsiasi celebrazione sarà inutile e vuota fino a quando non andremo uniti nella stessa direzione. Il tentativo del Consiglio di annacquare la direttiva sulla lotta alla violenza contro le donne e la violenza domestica, ora in trilogo, è, senza giri di parole, inaccettabile e vergognoso.
                  

                     Occorre mettere in piedi legislazioni chiare e stringenti, sia a livello europeo che a livello nazionale, basate sulla prevenzione, sull'istruzione e sul sostegno alle strutture che operano per tutelare le vittime di violenza. Ma soprattutto occorre sconfiggere questa vergognosa cultura del possesso – e lo dico da uomo, lo dico da uomo in quest'Aula!
                  

                     Ciao Giulia, riposa in pace e scusaci ancora per non aver fatto abbastanza.
                  

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)


Dubravka Šuica,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, we heard many different and shocking stories this morning, but also we heard figures, which makes us even more alert.
This international day is an important occasion to take stock of what has been done to end such violence, but, more importantly, it gives us the opportunity to assess what still needs to be done. The immediate and long-term physical, sexual and mental consequences of violence for women and girls are devastating and can limit women and girls' active participation in society, from employment to education and politics.
President von der Leyen, in her State of the Union this September said here, in this House, ‘I know this House supports our proposal on combating violence against women. And here too, I would like that we cast into law another basic principle: “no means no”. There can be no true equality without freedom from violence.’
                  
Just to reply to some statements on the Istanbul Convention and this directive. The proposal aims to achieve the objectives of the convention in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. It supports the European Union's accession to the convention by introducing sectoral minimum standards, while not preventing Member States from maintaining a high level of protection.
On one hand, the proposed directive is more limited than the Istanbul Convention because it is limited to the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. On the other hand, within its scope, it goes further than Istanbul Convention, as it incorporates, as binding minimum rules, several of the best practices highlighted by GREVIO in its recommendations to state parties, and it addresses online violence specifically.
Dear colleagues, dear honourable Members, now, more than ever, we need the support of all players to ensure the quick adoption of this directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. This adoption will be an important step towards ensuring that the people living in our Union live freely and safely, without fear of violence, in a Union of equality.
Let us demonstrate that with our actions in the months ahead before European elections.

Presidente. – O debate está encerrado.
                  


Declarações escritas (artigo 171.o)



Christine Anderson (ID),
schriftlich. – Heute gedenken wir des Internationalen Tages zur Beseitigung der Gewalt gegen Frauen. Erinnern wir uns an die tragische Geschichte aus meiner früheren Heimatstadt Limburg, wo 2019 eine Frau von ihrem Ehemann mit einem Auto überfahren und dann auf offener Straße mit einer Axt angegriffen wurde. Obwohl ich damals gerne persönlich am Trauermarsch zu ihren Ehren teilgenommen hätte, sandte ich aus dem EU-Parlament meine tiefste Anteilnahme nach Limburg und möchte an dieser Stelle heute an sie erinnern.
                  

                     In ganz Europa verbreitet sich eine Kultur der Frauenverachtung. Einige Männer und Männergruppen messen ihre Männlichkeit an der Grausamkeit, mit der sie sich Respekt verschaffen und ihre sogenannte Ehre wiederherstellen. Schluss mit symbolischen, heuchlerischen Betroffenheitsbekundungen: Einer frauenverachtenden Kultur mit Toleranz zu begegnen, beseitigt nicht Gewalt gegen Frauen – sondern hofiert sie! Diese Kultur der Frauenverachtung hat in Europa nichts verloren. Deswegen gilt damals wie heute: Der Islam gehört nicht zu Europa!
                  

Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D),
raštu. – Kasmet minime kovos su smurtu prieš moteris ir mergaites dieną, tačiau situacija iš esmės nesikeičia. COVID pandemijos metu ženkliai išaugo smurto prieš moteris atvejai ir tai rodo, jog būtini sprendimai , kurie nustatytų atsakomybę ir baudžiamumą už smurtą prieš moteris. Mes pagaliau patvirtinome direktyvą dėl smurto prieš moteris ir tai yra reikšmingas žingsnis šioje kovoje, tačiau dabar valstybės narės privalo rimtai pažiūrėti į šią problemą ir imtis rimtų priemonių šiai problemai spręsti. Smurtas prieš moteris ir mergaites sukelią visą virtinę socialinių problemų, smurtą patyrusios moterys dažnai negali susirasti darbo, joms reikalinga psichologų pagalba ir valstybės parama būstui ir pragyvenimui. Vaikai taip pat yra smurto prieš moteris aukos ir šis užburtas ratas nuolatos tęsiasi. Labai tikiuosi, jog rasime politinę valią derybose su Taryba ir patvirtinsime ambicingą direktyvą, kuri bus reikšmingas postūmis šioje kovoje.
                  

Estrella Durá Ferrandis (S&D),
por escrito. – Con motivo de la efeméride del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia de Género, 25 de noviembre, los y las socialistas lideramos el apoyo a una acción eficaz europea para acabar con la violencia de género, como en España con esa Ley integral que cumple 20 años en 2024.
                  

                     Los derechos de las mujeres son derechos humanos y no hay lugar ni espacio para la violencia contra las mujeres en Europa, por lo que, tras la ratificación del Convenio de Estambul por parte de la UE, estamos ante una oportunidad histórica aprobar una Directiva que permita afrontar este tipo de violencia de manera integral —que incluya el delito de la violación basado en el consentimiento— y homogénea, más ahora que las fuerzas negacionistas de extrema derecha, en algunos casos en los Gobiernos, la legitiman.
                  

Loucas Fourlas (PPE),
in writing. – One out of three women has encountered physical or sexual violence. Domestic violence claims the lives of approximately 50 women every week. Within professional environments, 75 % of women have faced sexual harassment, and it is estimated that 1 in 2 young women has experienced gender-based cyber violence. Ιt is unacceptable for women to feel unsafe in any aspect of their life: in public, online, their workplace, in their own home. Victims must not be re-traumatised during the legal process. The persistent and extensive impunity for those who commit acts of violence against women and domestic violence is unacceptable. Every woman should be granted the protection she is legally entitled to. Essential is also the recognition of children who have witnessed violence against women and domestic violence as victims. Due consideration ought to be given to the best interests of the child. Community-led initiatives within my home country, Cyprus, like the ‘Insavior’ free application providing practical and immediate assistance to women in danger, are commendable. However, they also serve as a reminder that threats to women's safety are on the rise. The directive tackling violence against women and domestic violence is a much anticipated and very welcome response to a long-standing call from the European Parliament.

Lívia Járóka (NI),
írásban. – A helyzet kifejezetten aggasztó és látva azt, hogy az Isztambuli Egyezmény bevezetésével a nők helyzete és társadalmi megítélése csak romlott a tagállamok többségében, kifejezetten örömmel veszem, hogy olyan tagállamok, mint Csehország és Magyarország nem ratifikálták az Egyezményt, így egy erős nemzeti garanciarendszert tudnak kialakítani a nők jogainak és emberi méltóságának védelmére. Minden 3 nőből 1 tapasztalt már fizikai és/vagy szexuális erőszakot 15 éves kora óta. Ez az adat becslések szerint körülbelül a duplája a roma nők és lányok körében. Örömmel veszem, hogy az áldozatvédelmi irányelv végre napirendre kerül itt a Parlamentben is azonban kiemelten fontosnak tartom, hogy ez a tagállamok szabályozását erősítse, ne pedig kritizálja és gátolja a hatékony végrehajtást.
                  

                     Kiemelt figyelemmel kell kezelnünk az erőszakos bűncselekmények elleni fellépést és az áldozatok segítését! Ennek színtere pedig az erős és átfogó tagállami szabályozás és helyi programok!
                  

Javi López (S&D),
por escrito. – Con motivo de la efeméride del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia de Género, 25 de noviembre, los y las socialistas lideramos el apoyo a una acción eficaz europea para acabar con la violencia de género, como en España con esa Ley integral que cumple 20 años en 2024.
                  

                     Los derechos de las mujeres son derechos humanos y no hay lugar ni espacio para la violencia contra las mujeres en Europa, por lo que, tras la ratificación del Convenio de Estambul por parte de la UE, estamos ante una oportunidad histórica aprobar una Directiva que permita afrontar este tipo de violencia de manera integral —que incluya el delito de la violación basado en el consentimiento— y homogénea, más ahora que las fuerzas negacionistas de extrema derecha, en algunos casos en los Gobiernos, la legitiman.
                  

César Luena (S&D),
por escrito. – Con motivo de la efeméride del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia de Género, 25 de noviembre, los y las socialistas lideramos el apoyo a una acción eficaz europea para acabar con la violencia de género, como en España con esa Ley integral que cumple 20 años en 2024.
                  

                     Los derechos de las mujeres son derechos humanos y no hay lugar ni espacio para la violencia contra las mujeres en Europa, por lo que, tras la ratificación del Convenio de Estambul por parte de la UE, estamos ante una oportunidad histórica aprobar una Directiva que permita afrontar este tipo de violencia de manera integral —que incluya el delito de la violación basado en el consentimiento— y homogénea, más ahora que las fuerzas negacionistas de extrema derecha, en algunos casos en los Gobiernos, la legitiman.
                  

Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro (S&D),
por escrito. – Con motivo de la efeméride del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia de Género, 25 de noviembre, los y las socialistas lideramos el apoyo a una acción eficaz europea para acabar con la violencia de género, como en España con esa Ley integral que cumple 20 años en 2024.
                  

                     Los derechos de las mujeres son derechos humanos y no hay lugar ni espacio para la violencia contra las mujeres en Europa, por lo que, tras la ratificación del Convenio de Estambul por parte de la UE, estamos ante una oportunidad histórica aprobar una Directiva que permita afrontar este tipo de violencia de manera integral —que incluya el delito de la violación basado en el consentimiento— y homogénea, más ahora que las fuerzas negacionistas de extrema derecha, en algunos casos en los Gobiernos, la legitiman.
                  

Witold Pahl (PPE),
na piśmie. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Drogie Koleżanki i Koledzy! W tę sobotę obchodzić będziemy Międzynarodowy Dzień Eliminacji Przemocy wobec Kobiet – tym samym rozpoczniemy obchody 16 Dni Przeciwko Przemocy ze względu na Płeć, które zakończą Międzynarodowy Dzień Praw Człowieka. O przemocy wobec kobiet mówi się coraz więcej, jednak wciąż za mało. Zbyt wiele kobiet zmaga się z agresją, doświadcza nienawiści i niesprawiedliwości. Według statystyk policyjnych każdego tygodnia z powodu przemocy domowej giną w Polsce 3 kobiety. Każdego roku ofiarami przemocy fizycznej czy seksualnej pada około milion Polek, a 95% sprawców tej przemocy to mężczyźni. Oprócz przemocy fizycznej kobiety dotyka także przemoc emocjonalna, psychiczna, ekonomiczna, ale i przemoc instytucjonalna – czyli mechanizmy prawne i społeczne dyskryminujące kobiety, chociażby w kwestii płac. Agresja i dyskryminacja wobec kobiet to nie marginalne zjawisko, lecz powszechne i poważne pogwałcenie podstawowych praw człowieka. 25 listopada, czyli Międzynarodowy Dzień Eliminacji Przemocy wobec Kobiet ma nam o tym z całą mocą przypomnieć.
                  

Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D),
por escrito. – Con motivo de la efeméride del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia de Género, 25 de noviembre, los y las socialistas lideramos el apoyo a una acción eficaz europea para acabar con la violencia de género, como en España con esa Ley integral que cumple 20 años en 2024.
                  

                     Los derechos de las mujeres son derechos humanos y no hay lugar ni espacio para la violencia contra las mujeres en Europa, por lo que, tras la ratificación del Convenio de Estambul por parte de la UE, estamos ante una oportunidad histórica aprobar una Directiva que permita afrontar este tipo de violencia de manera integral —que incluya el delito de la violación basado en el consentimiento— y homogénea, más ahora que las fuerzas negacionistas de extrema derecha, en algunos casos en los Gobiernos, la legitiman.
                  

Katarína Roth Neveďalová (NI),
písomne. – Bohužiaľ násilie na ženách nevymizlo ani v roku 2023. Stále je reálne a dokonca sa zhoršuje. Násilie sa presunulo sčasti z fyzického do duševnej a psychickej roviny. Po lockdownoch zažívame nárast ohlasovania násilných činov proti rodinným príslušníkom. A so zvýšeným využívaním sociálnych sietí si násilníci nachádzajú nové obete na internete. Každá žena zažila nejakú formu násilia – či už fyzické, psychický nátlak alebo obťažovanie na internete. Je to smutná pravda tejto doby. Žiadne násilie voči nikomu a tobôž voči ženám, deťom či slabším nie je ospravedlniteľné. Nie, nezaslúžila si to. Nie, nepýtala si to. Nie, nie je to iba vec rodiny. Nikto nemá právo ubližovať druhému človeku. Preto je dôležité, aby sme povedali násiliu jasné NIE a podporili jeho obete. Považujem takisto za dôležité, aby sme vzdelávali ľudí, ktorí sa s obeťami stretávajú ako prví, aby vedeli odhaliť zneužitie alebo násilie, čiže policajtov, lekárov, zdravotníkov, ale aj prokurátorov a sudcov, aby násilníci neunikli trestu.
                  
3.   Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation – Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions) (joint debate – Judicial cooperation)

Presidente. – Segue-se o debate conjunto sobre cooperação judiciária, com os relatórios dos Deputados Radev e Kaljurand: sobre a digitalização da cooperação judiciária com incidência transfronteiriça (A9-0062/2023) e sobre a digitalização da cooperação judiciária com incidência transfronteiriça (alteração de determinadas diretivas e decisões-quadro) (A9-0063/2023).
               

Marina Kaljurand,
raportöör. – Lugupeetud istungi juhataja! Käesoleva õigusalase koostöö digipöörde paketiga muudame me kiiremaks ja lihtsamaks õigusasutuste koostöö ja infovahetuse piiriülestes justiitsasjades. See omakorda tähendab, et ka kodanikud võidavad kiirematest ja lihtsamatest justiitstoimingutest ning õigusemõistmisest.
               

                  Digiriigina teame me Eestis väga hästi, et digitaalne infovahetus peab olema usaldusväärne ning turvaline. Me kõik teame, et küberrünnakud on uus normaalsus ja seetõttu on eriti oluline, et õigusalane teave meie kodanike kohta liigub kaitstud keskkonnas ja mitte avaliku veebi kaudu või pilveteenuses. Antud juhul tagatakse turvalisus detsentraliseeritud IT-süsteemi abil.
               

                  Uue korra järgi saavad ka kodanikud suhelda õigusasutustega piiriülestes justiitsasjades digitaalselt, kasutades selleks e-allkirja. Seejuures on ülimalt oluline, et käesoleva määrusega ei alandata e-allkirja usalduse taset ehk füüsilise allkirjaga võrdsustatakse kõrgeima usalduse tasemega e-allkiri.
               

                  Käesolev määrus sätestab ühised reeglid videokonverentsi teel toimuvatele ülekuulamistele. Videoülekuulamised juba toimuvad mõnedes riikides, kuid igas liikmesriigis on oma kord, oma reeglid, ja see tekitab probleeme. Määrus ühtlustab videoülekuulamise protseduurireegleid ja loob seeläbi kodanikele võimaluse osaleda justiitstoimingutes video teel. Teisisõnu – kodanikele luuakse võimalus videokonverentsideks ning nad võivad seda võimalust kasutada juhul, kus nad ei soovi või ei saa füüsiliselt teise riiki sõita. Seejuures peavad liikmesriigid tagama vastava tehnilise lahenduse ning juurdepääsu kodanikele, kes soovivad videokonverentsil osaleda.
               

                  Ühtsete protseduurinormide tagamine on eriti tähtis kriminaalmenetluses. Samuti on väga oluline protseduurireeglite tutvustamine kodanikele selliselt, et nad saaksid aru konverentsi läbiviimise korrast, selle plussidest ja miinustest. Neid tuleb informeerida õigustest, sealhulgas õigusest advokaadile ja suulisele tõlkele. Oluline on, et kodanikud saaksid teha objektiivsel infol põhineva ning neile kõige paremini sobiva otsuse videokonverentsi kasutamise poolt või vastu. Videokonverentsil üle kuulatava isiku otsus peab olema vabatahtlik ja selgesõnaliselt antud, ning viimast peab kontrollima ametiasutus.
               

                  Samuti sätestab määrus võrdse juurdepääsu videokonverentsidele ehk igasugune diskrimineerimine, sealhulgas puuetega inimeste diskrimineerimine on keelatud. On oluline, et need õigused, mis on isikutele tagatud reaalmaailmas, tagatakse ka digisfääris. Justiitsasutused peavad leidma kõigile sobivad tehnilised lahendused. Luuakse üleeuroopaline digitaalne juurdepääsupunkt, mille kaudu saavad kodanikud vahetada teavet ja dokumente justiitsasutustega ning samuti maksta teenuste eest.
               

                  Meil olid pikad arutelud digipöörde ajakava üle ja mul on hea meel, et suutsime kokku leppida realistliku ajaraami. Jah, erinevad sammud võtavad oma aja, kuid ma võin kindlalt väita, et me ei kirjutanud õhku sisse ja ei venita protsessiga asjatult.
               

                  Efektiivne õigusasutuste digikoostöö eeldab nende ametnike ja ekspertide koolitust, kes kas juba kasutavad või hakkavad neid vahendeid kasutama. Koolitamise kohustus lasub liikmesriikidel. Tuleb olla valmis ka selleks, et õigusasutustes töötavad mõned konservatiivsed ametnikud, kes ei pruugi uudseid lahendusi omaks võtta. Kuid jällegi – võin kinnitada oma riigi Eesti praktika põhjal, et uuendustega minnakse kaasa, kui need on arusaadavad, mugavad ja kättesaadavad.
               

Dubravka Šuica,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, I am pleased to be with you today for this debate about the new regulation and directive ‘digitalising judicial cooperation and access to justice in cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matters’. I am replacing Commissioner Reynders, who unfortunately could not be here today.
Let me start by expressing the Commission's appreciation for the swift conclusions of the negotiations on this file. The Commission welcomes the agreement reached, and we already started preparing for the implementation of the new rules following the ambitious timeline set out by this legislation. The final agreement reflects the main objectives of the initial Commission's proposal. We are very satisfied that the common ground has been found on all points. In particular, the Commission welcomes that co-legislators maintained the mandatory use of the digital communication channel for the competent judicial authorities and the optional use for citizens. The Commission is also satisfied with the compromise found on video conferencing in civil, commercial and criminal matters.
The choice of implementing acts for establishing the decentralised IT system is particularly accurate, not only from the point of view of consistency with previous similar initiatives, but also because it underlines the implementation character of the measures to be adopted by the Commission.
The digital transformation changed the way we live, the way we do our work, the way we cooperate within the European Union. And justice is no exception to this trend. The use of digital tools will empower judges, prosecutors, citizens and companies. Access to justice and judicial cooperation in a cross-border context will become smoother, seamless and more resilient to crisis. The Commission believes that the new rules will improve the delivery of justice and will increase the trust in the justice systems. They will also create a safer and more secure environment for communication between the authorities of different Member States, while saving time and costs.
I would like to thank you for the work done, and notably for the support of the rapporteurs, Marina Kaljurand and Emil Radev, as well as both LIBE and JURI committees. Thank you for your attention.

Tomislav Sokol,
u ime kluba PPE. – Poštovani predsjedavajući, potpredsjednice, kolegice i kolege, digitalna tranzicija koju svakodnevno svjedočimo tek treba ostvariti svoj puni potencijal u području pravosuđa i prekogranične suradnje u građanskim, trgovačkim i kaznenim stvarima.
               

                  Primjerice, omogućavanje prekograničnog pristupa sudskim registrima nedvojbeno bi povećalo povjerenje u pravnom prometu i doprinijelo transparentnosti u poslovanju. Kao izvjestitelj Europskog parlamenta za digitalizaciju javnih usluga za to sam se i sam snažno založio u izvješću koje je Europski parlament prihvatio velikom većinom.
               

                  U Europskoj uniji već postoji sveobuhvatan skup instrumenata osmišljenih da poboljšaju pravosudnu suradnju. Međutim, većina instrumenata ne predviđa odvijanje komunikacije pravosudnih tijela digitalnim putem. Zato mi je posebno drago da ćemo putem Uredbe o digitalizaciji pravosudne suradnje stvoriti preduvjete za pristup upotrebi modernih tehnologija u prekograničnoj pravosudnoj suradnji i pristupu pravosuđu. Nova uredba omogućit će upotrebu elektroničkih sredstava u komunikaciji, poput videokonferencija između pojedinaca i pravnih subjekata te sudova i nadležnih tijela, što će olakšati prekogranični pristup pravosuđu.
               

                  Međutim, u okolnostima u kojima Europska unija bilježi nezapamćeni priljev migranata, želim iskoristiti ovu raspravu da bih pozvao na snažniji angažman Europske unije u borbi protiv masovnih migracija, a naročito onih nezakonitih. To podrazumijeva i bolju međunarodnu suradnju u području razmjena podataka o migrantima. Zato je važno postići konačan dogovor o paktu o migracijama i azilu, koji će sadržavati instrumente sprečavanja nekontroliranih i masovnih ulazaka u Europsku uniju, pri čemu zemlje prvog ulaska ne smiju snositi najveći teret migracijskog pritiska.
               

                  Odavno je jasno da Europska unija ne može primiti na svoj teritorij sve one koji u Europi žele živjeti samo zato što je ovdje kvaliteta života bolja nego u trećim državama. Kolegice i kolege, u obrani europskog načina života prekogranična suradnja u policijskim i pravosudnim stvarima od ključne je važnosti.
               

Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques,
em nome do Grupo S&D. – Senhor Presidente, se eu tiver um problema num tribunal português, por exemplo uma questão de família ou até da área criminal, que exija uma testemunha que reside em França, na Alemanha, na Suécia ou noutro Estado-Membro, corro o risco de ver o processo atrasar-se muito até que ela seja ouvida. Acontece que, se a justiça não for célere, muitas vezes não será justiça.
               

                  Com este regulamento vamos facilitar o recurso à videoconferência nas audições orais e permitir a todas as partes comunicar com as autoridades competentes, por via eletrónica, no decurso de um processo judicial. Elas próprias ficam obrigadas a comunicar entre si por este meio. Deste modo vamos evitar deslocações inúteis, acelerar processos e poupar cerca de 25 milhões de euros por ano em custos postais e de papel. Este é um passo importante para a digitalização da cooperação judiciária.
               

                  No entanto, poderíamos ter ido mais longe. Por exemplo, obrigando a que também as empresas comuniquem por meios eletrónicos em conflitos judiciais que envolvam mais do que um Estado-Membro.
               

                  Senhora Vice-Presidente, no séc. XXI nenhuma empresa, seja qual for a sua dimensão, se pode dar ao luxo de não usar meios digitais, e creio que a pandemia mostrou isso claramente a quem ainda não o tinha percebido. Espero, por isso, que em próximas iniciativas desta natureza a Comissão, e também este Parlamento, sejam um pouco mais ambiciosos.
               

Fabienne Keller,
au nom du groupe Renew. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire Dubravka Šuica, chers collègues, je nous félicite de l'accord sur les deux textes qui permettent la création de canaux de communication numériques sûrs et fiables entre les autorités judiciaires dans le cadre des affaires transfrontalières. Je voudrais dire le plaisir qui a été le mien de travailler avec Marina Kaljurand et le fait que nous ayons pu aboutir de manière très constructive. Merci à toi, Marina.
               

                  La numérisation de la coopération judiciaire et de l'accès à la justice permettra aux autorités des différents États membres de travailler de manière sécurisée, rapide et efficace. Une coopération judiciaire plus étroite pour une meilleure lutte contre la criminalité. Je me félicite également que ces textes comprennent une partie importante sur la formation, d'une part des autorités judiciaires, et d'autre part des citoyens européens pour qu'ils utilisent facilement ces outils numériques.
               

                  La numérisation de la justice doit en effet aller de pair avec la formation aux nouvelles technologies pour ne pas aggraver la fracture numérique. Aucun citoyen ne doit être lésé par les évolutions technologiques, tout particulièrement quand il s'agit de protéger ses droits fondamentaux. Ces technologies doivent être au service de l'intérêt général. Pour une Europe au service des citoyens! Pour une Europe plus transparente! Pour une Europe qui protège nos concitoyens!
               

Sergey Lagodinsky,
im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Sehr geehrter Herr Präsident, Frau Vizepräsidentin, Frau Berichterstatterin, Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Digitalisierung der Zusammenarbeit ist dringend notwendig, und es ist gut, dass wir sie vorantreiben.
               

                  Europa und seine Justizsysteme: Ja, wir wachsen stärker zusammen, und digitale Mittel gehören dazu. Und ja, wir kriegen dadurch auch Chancen. Zum Beispiel wird der Zugang zur Justiz so verbessert, die Rechtsprechung kann schneller und effizienter werden. Und was für mich besonders wichtig ist: Die Opfer von Straftaten müssen nicht persönlich anreisen, wenn sie in anderen Mitgliedstaaten sind, oder – das ist auch sehr wichtig – Gewalt und traumatisierende Erfahrungen müssen nicht noch einmal durchlebt werden, wenn man in einem Zimmer mit dem Täter, mit der Täterin, oder dem Beschuldigten zu diesem Zeitpunkt, als Zeugin oder als Opfer da ist. Das ist auf der Gutseite.
               

                  Aber lasst uns auch nicht vergessen, dass es um Grundrechte geht. Es geht hier nicht nur um das Vertrauen in dieses System, sondern auch um Grundrechte, um Integrität unseres Rechtssystems und schlussendlich auch um Rechtsstaatlichkeit. Wir wissen alle aus unserem normalen Leben: remote meetings haben was anders als meetings im Raum, und umso wichtiger ist es bei Anhörungen im Gericht, dass die digitalen Anhörungen nicht das Gleiche sind wie der Austausch vor Ort; das soll und darf nicht zum Normalfall werden.
               

                  Wichtig für uns auch: Vertraulichkeit der Kommunikation mit Anwälten muss gewahrt bleiben. Wir dürfen nicht in Richtung Russland und anderer autoritärer Staaten gehen. Aber, ich bin da ganz optimistisch. Wir haben da genug Schutzmaßnahmen eingebaut.
               

Raffaele Stancanelli,
a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signor Presidente, signora rappresentante, onorevoli colleghi, per realizzare uno spazio di libertà, sicurezza e giustizia pienamente funzionante, è importante che tutti gli Stati membri cerchino di ridurre la frammentazione dei sistemi giudiziari nazionali e sfruttino tutte le opportunità offerte dall'Unione europea e, in particolare, quelle in materia di digitalizzazione.
               

                  Per assicurare una maggiore cooperazione giudiziaria e un migliore accesso alla giustizia in materia civile, commerciale e penale a livello transfrontaliero, ritengo sia fondamentale assicurare la fiducia reciproca, l'interoperabilità e la sicurezza. Al contempo dobbiamo salvaguardare i diritti e le libertà fondamentali di tutte le persone interessate dallo scambio elettronico dei dati. Mi riferisco in particolare a quello di accesso effettivo alla giustizia e quello a un equo processo, al principio di non discriminazione e al diritto al rispetto della vita privata e familiare. Parimenti, tutte le garanzie procedurali, in particolare quelle essenziali per la tutela dei diritti fondamentali, dovrebbero essere pienamente rispettate in conformità alle norme dell'Unione.
               

                  Cari colleghi, per tutte queste ragioni sostengo con convinzione le modifiche apportate al pacchetto sulla cooperazione giudiziaria, soprattutto considerando che queste iniziative legislative dovrebbero portare ad una risoluzione più rapida delle controversie e, in definitiva, a migliorare l'accesso alla giustizia per i cittadini e le imprese, che spesso è il cancro delle nostre economie ed è il risultato di anni e anni di inefficienza.
               

Gilles Lebreton,
au nom du groupe ID. – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, l'Union européenne doit privilégier la coopération plutôt que l'intégration chaque fois que c'est possible. C'est en tout cas un point de vue que je défends depuis longtemps. La coopération respecte en effet mieux que l'intégration la souveraineté des États membres. Les justices civile, pénale et commerciale sont par exemple des domaines régaliens qui doivent continuer à relever de la compétence des États, et même de leur compétence exclusive en ce qui concerne les deux premières.
               

                  Mais pour les affaires transfrontalières, il est légitime de favoriser au niveau européen la coopération entre les diverses justices nationales. Cela permet notamment de mieux défendre les intérêts commerciaux des entreprises qui travaillent dans plusieurs États, ou encore de mieux organiser la répression pénale du terrorisme et de la criminalité organisée qui, par essence, ne connaissent pas de frontières.
               

                  J'approuve donc les projets de la Commission visant à améliorer la coopération judiciaire transfrontière, notamment en favorisant sa numérisation. Et je soutiens les rapports Radev qui ont su leur apporter de substantielles modifications dans le strict respect des souverainetés nationales. J'approuve notamment leur souci d'entourer de nombreuses garanties la conduite des auditions judiciaires par visioconférence, car comme M Radev, j'estime qu'il ne faut accepter les visioconférences en matière de justice qu'avec les plus grandes précautions.
               

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE). – Pane předsedající, já chci také pogratulovat zpravodajce a všem stínovým zpravodajům a Komisi, že se dohodli na tomto justičním balíčku. Myslím si, že to je mimořádně velký úspěch a že to přinese velké zrychlení soudních sporů, které mají přeshraniční prvek a kde často čekáme měsíce na to, než se udělá určitý důkaz v dožádané zemi, nebo než jeden justiční orgán písemně odpoví jinému justičnímu orgánu. To jsou poznatky z praxe. Sám třeba vnímám, že čekáme i týdny na to, než české justici odpoví justiční orgán jiné země Evropské unie na určitý dotaz, na podnět. Na vině je hlavně to, že doručujeme písemně, že nedoručujeme elektronicky, že elektronická komunikace v zásadě dneska pořádně nefunguje. Tento balíček přinese jednoznačnou změnu, změnu k lepšímu. Justice bude moci rychleji fungovat u přeshraničních sporů a rychlá justice znamená, přátelé, i spravedlivá justice. Proto já toto vítám a ještě jednou gratuluji.
               

                  Chci říci, že o některých prvcích, jako je třeba použití videokonference, se na půdě Evropské unie hovoří již léta. Pamatuji si před patnácti lety, když jsem byl ministrem spravedlnosti, tak se tehdy pořádala konference o využívání videokonferencí v přeshraničních justičních sporech. A vida, konečně máme tento návrh takto zhmotněný a sny a vize se stanou realitou. Takže já si myslím, že tento balíček je velmi dobrým kompromisem. Nebojím se toho, že by mohl být nějakým způsobem zneužíván. Jsou tam podle mého názoru ochráněna procesní práva účastníků. Je tam také dostatečná ochrana dat, se kterými se bude pracovat. Takže já jej podporuji a gratuluji ještě jednou autorům.
               

Vlad-Marius Botoș (Renew). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, Frau Berichterstatterin, liebe Kollegen! Die Digitalisierung ist eine der Prioritäten, die die Europäische Union gemeinsam mit den Mitgliedstaaten seit Beginn dieses Mandats übernommen hat. Das Justizsystem muss dieser politischen Linie folgen, da die Digitalisierung sowohl die Rechtspflege als auch den Zugang zur Justiz erheblich effizienter gestalten kann.
               

                  Wenn wir über die justizielle Zusammenarbeit zwischen Nachbarländern in Grenzregionen sprechen, ist diese Digitalisierung umso notwendiger, da interoperable Systeme den Bürgern den Zugang zum Gerichtsverfahren ermöglichen können, ohne dass sie beispielsweise in das Nachbarland reisen müssen, und so den Bürgern in Grenzgebieten neue Instrumente zur Verfügung stellen, wenn sie sich an die Justiz wenden müssen.
               

                  Es ist jedoch äußerst wichtig, dass die Spezialisten auf diesem Gebiet direkt in den Digitalisierungsprozess eingebunden werden und dabei die Besonderheiten und Herausforderungen berücksichtigen, die die Kompatibilität und Interoperabilität solcher digitalen Systeme mit sich bringen.
               

Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, issues related to the digitalisation of justice look merely technical at first sight, but they are highly political.
I know we all agree this is about ensuring more efficient justice systems and a better access to justice for everyone. But as the European Commission, the Council, and a majority of this European Parliament actively promote this digitalisation at all costs, we should not forget it can also have harmful impact on the fairness of criminal proceedings, as well as the rights guaranteed to suspects and accused persons.
First of all, digital tools should be an exception and not the norm. Using videoconference during a trial will never be equivalent with being physically present.
Then also, not everyone has equal access to digitalisation. When implementing these two new pieces of legislation, Member States need to ensure people with learning difficulties, physical disability, children, and those who haven't learned to use technologies can still enjoy their right to access justice.

Catch-the-eye procedure


Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, I think anything with a title of ‘cooperation’ is welcome, especially in Europe, because Europe is all about cooperation and we have to have much cooperation as possible, and it helps people to feel part of the European Union. So judicial cooperation is absolutely essential as well.
As colleagues pointed out, in this day and age, to be depending on paper and emails is not the way to go. E-signatures with the highest level of security makes sense. We are living in the digital age. This mandate was about green and digital – we haven't made as much progress on the digital as we should.
And, as colleagues pointed out also, we need training to go along with this. I mean, not just for the judiciary themselves, but also for citizens of the can access it. The facts are that something like 51% of people in the European Union don't have basic digital skills. So we have a lot of work to do in that regard.
I would say to the Commissioner and my good friend, Ivo Belet, former MEP, if they are back in the next mandate, that should be a priority and set a target to move from 51% to 75% – that would be progress.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)


Dubravka Šuica,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you very much for this fruitful debate. Allow me to thank you again, and not only for the debate, but for the work that Parliament put in on this new digitalisation of justice package. It is a key step to achieve the digital transformation of judicial cooperation in cross-border cases. It is also a crucial piece of legislation to ensure an uninterrupted access to justice to everyone.
The Commission – we will be back! The Commission stands ready to deploy all efforts to facilitate the implementation of these new pieces of legislation to ensure their timely application.
Once again, I thank you for your attention.

Marina Kaljurand,
raportöör. – Lugupeetud istungi juhataja! Käesolev piiriülese õiguskoostöö digipööre on üks tükike seadusandlusest, millega üritame teha meie kodanike elu lihtsamaks ja toimingud kättesaadavamaks. Me näeme juba praegu, kui piiriülesed on meie elud ja arvata võib, et see tendents ainult süveneb. See omakorda tähendab, et suureneb vajadus piiriüleste teenuste, ka õigusalaste toimingute järele. Käesolev pakett ei lahenda kõiki piiriülese koostöö probleeme, aga ta toob lahendusi seal, kus lahendusi on hädasti vaja.
               

                  Olen kindel, et see määrus leiab laia rakendust. Ma tulen e-riigist Eestist, kus meil on olnud võimalus kasutada e-teenuseid üle kolmekümne aasta. Ja ma võin oma kogemusest kinnitada, et teenuste ja toimingute digitaliseerimine on valdavalt positiivne kogemus, ning inimesed kasutavad neid väga hea meelega. Digiteenused ja digitoimingud on meie tuleviku lahutamatu osa. Mida kiiremini me sellest aru saame, seda parem meie kodanikele.
               

                  And to conclude, I would like to thank co-rapporteur Emil Radev, shadow rapporteurs, experts, the Commission, the Council – which is not present today – for their excellent cooperation. It was a privilege and it was an honour to cooperate with you. So today, I think we can be proud of this package that will benefit our citizens as well as our institutions. So, dear colleagues, I would like to urge you to vote for the package.
               

President. – The joint debate is now closed. The reports will be voted today, as you know.


Written statements (Rule 171)



Karol Karski (ECR),
na piśmie. – Celem pakietu cyfryzacji jest podniesienie poziomu efektywności organów wymiaru sprawiedliwości w zakresie współpracy transgranicznej oraz ułatwienie dostępu do sądu, a także zwiększenie wydajności i skuteczności postępowań sądowych oraz ułatwienie dostępu do wymiaru sprawiedliwości poprzez cyfryzację istniejących kanałów komunikacji. W rezultacie regulacja powinna spowodować oszczędność kosztów i czasu oraz zmniejszenie obciążenia administracyjnego. Zwiększy też odporność wszystkich organów zaangażowanych w transgraniczną współpracę sądową na działanie siły wyższej. W tym celu wprowadza się ważne zmiany w zakresie wszystkich aktualnie funkcjonujących instrumentów współpracy sądowej w sprawach karnych i cywilnych między państwami członkowskimi UE.
               

                  W pełni popieram cele projektu. Uważam, że wdrożenie nowoczesnej i bezpiecznej formy komunikacji sprzyjać będzie efektywniejszemu zwalczaniu przestępczości i sprawniejszemu działaniu organów wymiaru sprawiedliwości, co zwiększy pewność obrotu prawnego. Nie bez znaczenia jest też fakt, że pakiet cyfryzacji pozytywnie wpłynie na dostęp obywateli do sądu z uwagi na zapewnienie możliwości efektywnej komunikacji między organami sądowymi państw członkowskich w sprawach o charakterze transgranicznym. Bolączką sądownictwa wielu państw członkowskich jest przewlekłość postępowań. Uważam, że korzystanie z cyfrowych kanałów komunikacji doprowadzi do ograniczenia opóźnień w rozpatrywaniu spraw zarówno w krótkiej, jak i w długiej perspektywie. Powinno to przynieść korzyści osobom fizycznym i prawnym, a także zwiększyć zaufanie do krajowych systemów wymiaru sprawiedliwości.
               

Ernő Schaller-Baross (NI),
írásban. – Magyarország nagy hangsúlyt fektet az igazságszolgáltatás digitalizációjára. A 2022-ben elfogadott Nemzeti Digitalizációs Stratégia kiemelt céljának tekinti a bírósági eljárások elektronizálását a nyomon követhetőség és az igazságszolgáltatáshoz való hozzáférést biztosítása érdekében, különösen határokon átnyúló ügyekben.
               

                  Ezeket az erőfeszítéseket az Európai Bizottság éves információs jelentése, az Igazságügyi Eredménytábla is elismeri. E jelentés szerint Magyarország továbbra is őrzi előkelő helyét az igazságszolgáltatási rangsorban. Mind a kereskedelmi, a közigazgatási és a polgári perekben a magyar igazságszolgáltatás az egyik leghatékonyabb az Európai Unióban. Ami a digitalizációt illeti, mind a bűnüldözési, mind pedig a perindításhoz szükséges digitális eszközök alkalmazásában Magyarország hetedik a huszonhét tagállam közül, míg a büntető eljárás kezdeményezésének digitális lehetőségeit tekintve hazánk Észtország után az Európai Unió második legszélesebb lehetőségeit nyújtja polgárai számára.
               

                  Mindezek után egy kérdés maradt: mi ad okot a jogállamisági eljárásra és a források visszatartására, ha a Bizottság maga is elismeri a magyar igazságszolgáltatás teljesítményét?
               

(The sitting was suspended at 11.42)


PŘEDSEDNICTVÍ: DITA CHARANZOVÁ


místopředsedkyně

4.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 12.03)


Katalin Cseh (Renew). – Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to raise a point of order and a breach of the code of appropriate behaviour.
Earlier this week, in one of our Member States, a taxpayer-funded official government campaign was launched, personally vilifying the Commission President and openly spreading blatant lies about our Union. It portrays the President as a puppet of the Soros family, and the slogan reads, ‘Let's not dance to their tune’. This poster will be mailed to every single household in Hungary. Billboards have already been put up throughout the country. This is not politics. This is a shameful smear campaign and a disinformation attack against the European Union.
It was this Chamber who elected the Commission President based on the Council's proposal, not some Soros family conspiracy. And it is the co-legislators who make Union laws, not global shadowy forces. And if we do not denounce these toxic lies, it will corrode the foundation of our Union.
So I invite both the Commission and Parliament to strongly push back against this shameful campaign and counter lies with facts. It is our responsibility to protect the integrity of our institution.
5.   Voting time

President. – The next item is the vote.

(For the results and other details concerning the vote: see minutes)

5.1.   Standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation (A9-0354/2023 - Sirpa Pietikäinen, Marc Angel) (vote)

– Before the vote:


Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (ECR). – Señora presidente, en 2006 la Unión Europea aprobó una Directiva de organismos de fomento de la igualdad. En 2010 esta se amplió para hacerla extensiva a los autónomos. Hoy se revisan ambas, se han fusionado y su capacidad de actuación se ha ampliado considerablemente, promoviendo una estandarización más propia de un reglamento que de una directiva. Por ejemplo, los organismos pueden fijar su propio presupuesto, pero apenas tienen un régimen de rendición de cuentas. Se pretende una presencia nacional, regional y local, multiplicando el gasto público con duplicidades, triplicidades y cuadruplicidades. Esto no es un uso eficiente de los recursos y supondrá una mayor carga para el contribuyente.
                  

                     Los organismos de fomento de la igualdad incluso pueden obligar a otros organismos estatales mediante competencias reguladoras, controladoras y sancionadoras, que podrían no responder al bien común sino al propio interés del organismo, ya que no tienen control definido. Pueden dificultar también la actuación de las empresas en Europa, que se van a ver implicadas en procesos burocráticos y judiciales que no solo suponen cargas, también inseguridad jurídica. Esto puede perjudicar seriamente la creación de empleo. Por lo tanto, vemos que esta propuesta está otorgando a estos organismos autoridad sobre otros organismos, sin tener legitimidad ni control democrático.
                  

                     Además, el alcance de los supuestos de discriminación no se ciñe al concepto hombre-mujer, por lo que puede asimilarse por la puerta de atrás a la Directiva antidiscriminación, que nuestros Estados no ven oportuna. Sabemos que la Comisión de Derechos de las Mujeres e Igualdad de Género y la Comisión de Empleo y Asuntos Sociales tienen un sesgo diferente al conjunto de esta Cámara. Por eso, conviene que este Pleno enriquezca y modere el mandato del Parlamento.
                  

                     Solicito, por tanto, su voto para hacer efectivos el control democrático y la revisión.
                  

Marc Angel,
rapporteur. – Madam President, let me be very clear: with this report we make the fight against all forms of discrimination and inequality a priority of this House and of this Union. And by supporting the mandate, we defend the European core values enshrined in our Treaties and we give a clear signal to our citizens that this House stands behind them.
Deepening the Union of Equality is the best instrument to protect and to promote our democracy, and we are here in the house of democracy so I invite everybody to vote for this report. It is a good report. Thank you to the European Disability Forum, to Equinet and to all the civil society organisations and human rights defenders that supported us and helped us make this report a good report. And thank you to my co-rapporteur Sirpa and to our teams and all the shadow rapporteurs.
Let us be on the right side of history.

Sirpa Pietikäinen,
rapporteur. – Madam President, I wholeheartedly ask all of the Members of the European Parliament to vote in favour of this directive. It is the update of equality bodies legislation based on the new steps that we have in regulations concerning equality, like pay transparency. It is mostly technical, but the most important part is ensuring the independence of these actors from external influence.
Without implementation, any good thoughts and regulations are just empty words. It is very saddening and telling that this is used as a weapon in false premises for populist policies because, for example, these audit structures do exist according to national legislation, and there was strong unity in both committees to support this change.
5.2.   Latest attacks against women and women's rights defenders in Iran, and Iran's arbitrary detention of EU nationals (B9-0477/2023, RC-B9-0478/2023, B9-0478/2023, B9-0479/2023, B9-0480/2023, B9-0481/2023, B9-0482/2023) (vote)
5.3.   The unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger (B9-0465/2023, RC-B9-0466/2023, B9-0466/2023, B9-0470/2023, B9-0471/2023, B9-0472/2023, B9-0473/2023) (vote)
5.4.   The killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia's occupying forces in Georgia (RC-B9-0468/2023, B9-0468/2023, B9-0469/2023, B9-0474/2023, B9-0475/2023, B9-0476/2023) (vote)
5.5.   Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (A9-0062/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand) (vote)
5.6.   Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions) (A9-0063/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand) (vote)
5.7.   Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2022 (A9-0333/2023 - Alex Agius Saliba) (vote)
5.8.   Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities (A9-0334/2023 - Arnaud Danjean) (vote)
5.9.   Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (A9-0331/2023 - Seán Kelly, Andreas Schieder) (vote)

– Before the vote:


Andreas Schieder,
Berichterstatter. – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es ist endlich auch wieder Ruhe in das Brexit-Thema eingekehrt und nach dem Windsor Agreement auch zu einer Annäherung gekommen zwischen der Europäischen Union und dem Vereinigten Königreich. Es ist aber trotzdem auch wichtig, dass wir weiter schauen, dass Umweltstandards, Sozialstandards, Arbeitnehmerrechte und Wettbewerbsvorteile weiterhin behandelt werden und auch unser Augenmerk verdienen. Und angesichts der globalen Krisenherde ist es auch notwendig, dass wir diese gute Kooperation, die es gibt, auch in ein institutionelles Rahmenabkommen gießen. Ich bitte Sie um Zustimmung zu diesem Bericht.
                  

Seán Kelly,
rapporteur. – A Uachtaráin, this implementation report is the first report of Parliament assessing the operation of the UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, but more importantly, detailing practical steps forward to improve our relationship with the UK in a manner that respects the agreements made.
It seems a lifetime ago that Brexit dominated the headlines, but its effects are continuing to impact citizens and businesses. This report is very timely, not only as MEPs travel to Westminster in the coming weeks for the PPA, but also as there will be a general election in the United Kingdom next year.
The report was adopted with near unanimity in a joint vote of INTA and AFET, providing a welcome example of cooperation among the two committees, as well as the 12 opinion-giving committees. I would like to thank my co-rapporteur, Andreas Schieder from S&D, and other contributing MEPs from across the political groups. I call on colleagues to maintain this collegial approach into this vote, so that there is no ambiguity about how the European Parliament sees the way forward.
Lastly, Stormont is still without a functioning executive. It is now time to move past the political stalemate in Northern Ireland and get the Assembly back up and running. They could adopt a policy of ‘I'm a Celebrity – Get Me Back In There!’
                  
5.10.   Innovative humanitarian aid strategy: spotlight on current and forgotten crises (A9-0321/2023 - Carlos Zorrinho) (vote)
5.11.   Job creation – the just transition and impact investments (A9-0342/2023 - Sara Matthieu) (vote)
5.12.   Harnessing talent in Europe's regions (A9-0325/2023 - Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro) (vote)
5.13.   The lack of legislative follow-up by the Commission to the PEGA resolution (B9-0464/2023, B9-0467/2023) (vote)
5.14.   Revised pollinators initiative – a new deal for pollinators (B9-0463/2023) (vote)
5.15.   European Union regulatory fitness and subsidiarity and proportionality – report on Better Law Making covering 2020, 2021 and 2022 (A9-0310/2023 - Catharina Rinzema) (vote)
5.16.   Monitoring the application of EU law in 2020, 2021 and 2022 (A9-0328/2023 - Catharina Rinzema) (vote)

President. – That concludes the vote.

(The sitting was suspended at 12.30)

6.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 15.00)

7.   Young researchers (debate)

President. – The next item is the debate on the oral question to the Commission on Young researchers by Cristian-Silviu Bușoi on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (O-000052/2023 – B9-0034/23).

Maria da Graça Carvalho,
author. – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, young researchers are faced with a very demanding reality, working in precarious conditions, and often forced to leave their countries in search of opportunities. All of this is leading the European Union to a situation in which talent is being wasted or lost to other economies.
Their situation got worse in recent years. The COVID-19 crisis has hit many young researchers, who faced worse conditions, funding problems and reduced access to laboratories and other essential facilities. In fact, the mentioned problems were the subject of an ‘Open letter on behalf of young researchers’ sent to the European Commission during the pandemic, of which I was one of the subscribers, together with many colleagues.
The European Commission's own communication on a new European Research Area for Research and Innovation identifies a series of problems holding back the careers of young researchers, in particular in terms of access to employment. A significant imbalance exists between the growing number of PhD graduates and the small number of positions, especially in public science systems.
On the other hand, in another communication, on Harnessing Talent in Europe's Regions, the Commission highlights the talent development trap in European regions suffering from demographic decline and a stagnant share of the population in higher education, and the significant departure of young people from such regions.
I could go on quoting other documents from the different stakeholders, mentioning these and the other issues, such as the gender imbalance in access to many different fields, or the rise of the cost of living and its impact on young researchers. However, I believe this introduction is enough to establish a general picture of what we are facing.
At the same time, the solutions are clear. Part of the responsibility belongs to Member States, and the time has come for them to reinforce strategies aiming at absorbing, in universities, public and private institutions, the young researchers that we are training.
The EU shares responsibility in several areas and, in fact, has been following this subject quite closely. Different European Parliament resolutions on this subject have offered concrete solutions, notably the European Parliament resolution of 11 November 2021 on the European Education Area, that stressed the importance of more research and training opportunities for young researchers across Europe, as well as the mutual recognition of diplomas and qualifications that can facilitate the career of the young researchers in Europe.
I believe that we can all agree that the European funding for research and innovation activities needs to be adjusted, not just in terms of total amounts, but also of the duration of certain programmes and grants, in order to offer more promising, more long-term career prospects for young researchers. The European Union should further promote cooperation in human capital development, especially through researchers' training and mobility schemes, in particular the Marie Curie Actions.
The need to increase women's participation in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – is also clearly identified, as is the need to improve the attractiveness of research careers in social science and humanities, which suffer the most from funding shortfalls in many Member States.
Therefore, dear Commissioner, considering that there is a general agreement on what the problems are, and what the solutions could be implemented, and considering that preventing the brain drain of our brilliant young minds is key for the future of the European Union, I would like to ask you, what specific measures is the European Commission planning to take in order to change the current status quo for young researchers?

Dubravka Šuica,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the important issue of young researchers or early-stage researchers.
Allow me to begin by mentioning the specific actions that the Commission is undertaking in the European Research Area, in consultation with Member States and stakeholders. We have made a proposal for a Council recommendation on a European Framework for Research Careers, which we hope will be adopted by the Council by the end of the year. This recommendation covers many different aspects, including specific measures in support of early-career researchers.
We will set up a dedicated observatory on research careers to improve our knowledge and data about these issues. We have developed a European Competence Framework for Researchers to foster the transversal skills of researchers and support mobility between sectors, which is already available online.
We are developing an ERA talent platform as a one-stop-shop where researchers can find all available resources. We support reform of research and researchers' assessment to move towards an assessment system that takes into consideration the overall impact of researchers' outputs, activities and practices on research and innovation, and not only publications.
We are preparing a Horizon Europe pilot call in 2034 with the objective of putting together inter-sectoral consortia, where partners join forces to improve the career opportunities for early-stage researchers. Finally, we are organising an EU TalentOn that challenges young researchers, 21 to 35 years old, to find solutions on the most pressing global issues. The next edition of the EU TalentOn will be part of the Katowice European City of Science in 2024.
The Commission considers it essential to ensure a broad talent base for scientific research and to attract students and graduates to research careers in Europe. And the initiatives that I have mentioned certainly have the objectives of addressing this. The proposed Council recommendation and the new Charter for Researchers annexed to it aim at strengthening research careers in the entire European research area and countering regional divides, unbalanced talent circulation, as well as gender inequalities. In this respect, the Commission is also designing initiatives that can foster the exchange of good practices and lessons learned among Member States, including by means of mutual learning exercises.
Regarding gender equality, the new Charter for Researchers includes also provisions on combating gender-based violence and sexual harassment, which are serious and under-recognised issues. These topics are also part of the ERA policy agenda, European Research Area Policy Agenda 2022-2024, and will be addressed by the upcoming project Gender Safe, funded by the 2023 Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme. You know how much the gender issue is close to my heart, and I am particularly sensitive to how the Commission supports projects that integrate arts, humanities and social sciences to STEM disciplines, the so-called STEAM approach to make STEM careers more appealing also to women. A range of activities are also developed under pillar three of Horizon Europe, including the Girls Go Circular initiative run by the EIT, and the package of measures introduced by the European Innovation Council to support women leadership in Europe's deep tech industry, such as the Women TechEU scheme, offering early-stage financing, coaching and mentoring and which has already benefited 130 women-led deep tech startups. Also at operational level, Horizon Europe foresees that academic and research organisations benefit from a gender equality plan to ensure gender-equal and inclusive working environments.
Allow me also to note that young and early career researchers' precarity resulting from consecutive short-term project-based contracts is among the biggest challenges affecting the attractiveness of research careers in Europe. Again here, the proposed Council recommendation advocates limiting the use of fixed-term contracts, calls for a broader use of more adequate funding mechanisms and promotes career advisory and support services for researchers. It also addresses social protection rights to make sure that the researchers at all career stages can benefit from adequate levels of protection.
Allow me to say a few words about inter-sectoral mobility. Making careers interoperable between sectors is very important. It helps close the gap between researchers and the labour market needs for highly skilled talents, and it enriches the spectrum of opportunities for young and early-career researchers contributing to addressing precarity. Here again, the Commission is proposing dedicated initiatives which include an ongoing mutual learning exercise steered by the Commission coordination and with the participation of 18 Member States. A widening action in Horizon Europe called ERA Talents, which promotes cross-sectoral staff exchanges in R&I, where there are now nine projects running, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and the support of mobility offered by EURAXESS. At the same time, the Commission aims to reinforce careers in academia and the return of researchers to the academic path, and has recommended to Member States to consider the adoption of tenure-track systems.
Brain drain is a complex issue caused by the interplay of several factors, including unattractive research environments and inadequate working conditions. There is a need to address the roots of this problem via system reforms that can lead to sustainable, long-term solutions. Several measures have contributed to reduce brain drain in the past, such as return grants or ERA fellowships. I believe that the implementation of the Council recommendation and of all other instruments, including the ones listed in the Harnessing Talent in European Regions communication, will be key in addressing this, both within the Union as well as in relation to young talents leaving towards third countries outside the Union.
And last, a word about public investment and R&I. The competitiveness and attractiveness of the European R&I system also depends on the level of investment by the public and private sector. Resources invested at the level of the Union are only complementary to the national efforts. The Pact for R&I in Europe, adopted in 2021, reaffirms the Union-level target on investing 3% of Union GDP in research and development. The pact also refers to additional voluntary targets including 1.25% of Union GDP of public investment to be achieved by Member States by 2030. The level of investment in R&I is still far below these ambitious objectives at this moment, and 2.3% of GDP. The Commission will, of course, continue to urge investments in line with these targets.

Seán Kelly,
on behalf of the PPE Group. – A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, in the ever-changing landscape of global challenges, including complex environmental issues, multifaceted technological dilemmas like AI and global pandemics, it is the young researchers who lead the march towards groundbreaking and innovative solutions. They are the researchers and innovators of the future. The researchers that we will depend upon to create solutions to the vast economic and societal issues that lie ahead.
Despite their undoubted contributions, young researchers often find themselves undervalued, a trend evident in my own country of Ireland. A recent report, released this summer, shed light on the disheartening reality that PhD researchers in Ireland receive a mere EUR 18 000 to EUR 19 000 per year. Given the prevailing cost-of-living crisis in Ireland and in Europe, the report stated that this stipend falls well short of meeting the essential needs of these young researchers. Unfortunately, this is a common trend across Europe.
In July of this year, the Commission released measures to fortify the European Research Area. These include proposals for a Council recommendation establishing a new European Framework for Research Careers, a new Charter for Researchers, and the European Competence Framework for Researchers to support inter-sectoral mobility. All very good suggestions.
We need to recognise that young researchers are highly skilled graduates and lucrative career opportunities must be available to them. We need to make the prospect of an additional four years of full-time studies within the EU an attractive career option in both the short and long term. Looking ahead, a crucial question emerges. I hope this Commission, in collaboration with fellow European institutions, can implement additional measures to not only acknowledge the importance of these young researchers, but also pave the way for a sustainable career path for them. In my language, there is a saying: 
                     ‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí’
                  , ‘Praise the young and they will develop’. We could add to that: ‘Pay the young and they will deliver’, 
                     ‘Íoc an óige agus déanfaidh sí an beart’
                  .

Valter Flego,
u ime kluba Renew. – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, potpredsjednice Komisije, smatram i tvrdim da su mladi najkreativniji, najbolji dio našeg društva.
               

                  I ljuti me kada čujem da je ova ili ona država lokomotiva Europe, kada ova ili ova tehnologija je lokomotiva. Ne, tvrdim da su mladi lokomotiva razvoja naše Europe. I više od toga.
               

                  Jasno je da ulaganja u istraživanje i razvoj s jedne strane i onako kako živimo, odnosno rast BDP-a, su u direktnoj korelaciji. Iz tog razloga, dakle, jasno je da na mladima, da na ulaganju u mlade istraživače ne treba štedjeti. I upravo je tu odgovornost javnog sektora, javnog sektora koji treba iznjedriti ono najbolje i omogućiti mladim ljudima da pokažu svoje znanje, svoju kreativnost, svoje umijeće i da su koncentrirani na posao. I zato mislim da zajedno s državama članicama treba još napora učiniti kako bi mladi zbilja mogli biti ona prava naša lokomotiva.
               

                  I da, podržavam Horizon i sve projekte i programe koje Europska komisija provodi za mlade istraživače, ali ako želimo biti lideri u odnosu na druge svjetske velesile, mislim da trebamo u ovom trenutku učiniti dodatan napor kako bismo zbilja mogli mladim ljudima omogućiti da budu najbolji dio našeg društva, što oni i jesu.
               

Ангел Джамбазки,
от името на групата ECR. – Г-жо Председател, г-жо Комисар, рядко одобрявам и рядко се съгласявам с предложения на Комисията, но това е едно такова. Това е едно добро начинание, така че Комисията може да бъде поздравена, което рядко ми се случва. Искам да го отбележите. Обикновено не е така. А да, предложението за това да се подпомагат младите изследователи е полезно, но ако приемате препоръки, бих отправил една, разбира се, и тя е свързана с това, че младите изследователи трябва да бъдат насърчавани да се занимават с истинска наука. Наука, която носи принадена стойност, наука, която подпомага развитието на високи технологии, наука в сферата на точните науки като математика, като физика, като биология, като химия, като астрономия – неща, които биха помогнали на младите европейци да бъдат конкурентни и да развиват икономика, която да може да дава принаден продукт и технологиите да остават в Европа.
               

                  Моето лично мнение е, че ‘социални’ в кавички науки, каквито са критичната расова теория или разните джендър изследвания, не се целят точно към научния потенциал и към научния свят. Те са по-скоро идеология, отколкото наука и те са по-скоро политика, отколкото наука. Така че, ако фокусирате усилията на Комисията върху това действително да бъдат подпомагани изследователи в сферите на точните науки, на тези, които имат принадена стойност и точен продукт, това би било полезно. Ако се отклоним, както става в Съединените американски щати и във Великобритания в теми, свързани с абсолютно фалшиви и абсолютно нереални сфери като тези, които споменах преди малко – така наречената критична расова теория, за втори път ви казвам, и разните така наречени джендър изследвания, това ще подпомага идеологизацията на университетите, ще унищожава науката, ще приравнява и ще разводнява усилията на младите хора, ще ги насочва в погрешна посока. Видими са резултатите на изследователи в Съединени американски щати и във Великобритания, които попадат в подобни сфери. Вижда се как пада общото образователно ниво и какви са резултатите от прехвърлянето на идеологията и на политиката в сферите на науката. Това не е полезно, но иначе за останалото начинание поздравления. Това заслужава подкрепа.
               

Joachim Kuhs,
im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, werte Kollegen! Ja, wäre es nicht großartig, wenn Europa viele hochintelligente junge Menschen anziehen würde, die hier eine Karriere in der Forschung anstrebten?
               

                  Aber anstelle dieser intelligenten Menschen ziehen wir Einwanderer aus Nordafrika und den islamischen Ländern an, die erstens nicht die Qualifikation für junge Forscher haben und zweitens nicht die Absicht haben, hier zu arbeiten, sondern mehrheitlich nur von unserem Sozialsystem profitieren wollen. Diese Menschen – überwiegend junge Männer – reisen beispielsweise über Lampedusa zu uns ein. Ich selbst war vor einigen Wochen dort und habe mir das genau angesehen.
               

                  Ich kann Ihnen sagen, die Entwicklung, insbesondere in den Zielstädten dieser Männer, die ist wirklich dramatisch: geschlossene Geschäfte, Straßenüberfälle, Gruppenvergewaltigungen, Männer, die ihre Notdurft auf der Straße verrichten. Immer mehr Städte verwandeln sich in ein Ghetto.
               

                  Wenn wir also die Frage beantworten wollen, was wir tun können, um unsere Länder, unsere Städte, unsere Universitäten für intelligente junge Forscher attraktiv zu machen, dann würde ich vorschlagen, dass wir zunächst unsere Grenzen effektiv für illegale Einwanderung schließen, weil niemand – wirklich niemand – in einem Europa leben oder arbeiten will, das überschwemmt wird von Armut, Gewalt und Schmutz und wo das meiste Geld für die Umverteilung eingesetzt und nicht investiert wird. Dann aber Millionen für bedeutungslose Projekte auszugeben, ist, als würde man einem amputierten Bein einen Verband anlegen. Es sieht zwar schön aus, aber es nützt nichts.
               

                  Und liebe Kollegin, wenn ich mir ansehe, welche Fragen Sie stellen, dass Sie die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter und die Frauenquote besonders berücksichtigen, dann befürchte ich, dass es bei diesem Projekt gar nicht um junge Forscher geht, sondern um die Einhaltung von Quoten. Dabei ist es doch ganz einfach: Wir müssen neben den wirtschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen lediglich die Person mit der richtigen Qualifikation für die richtige Stelle gewinnen.
               

                  Aber ich sage es noch einmal: Die ganze Förderung wird verpuffen, wenn wir die Grenzen nicht für die illegale Einwanderung schließen. Und, werte Kollegen, falls Sie diese Signale gegen die illegale Immigration, die auch die Niederländer in der gestrigen Wahl ausgesendet haben, wenn Sie die nicht ernst nehmen, dann werden Sie in den Wahlen des nächsten Jahres hinweggefegt werden. Mir soll das recht sein, denn ich werde dann nicht mehr hier dabei sein. Aber um die jungen Forscher, die auf unsere leeren Versprechungen hereingefallen sind, um die tut es mir jetzt schon leid.
               

Vlad Gheorghe (Renew). – Doamnă președintă, înainte de a deveni cercetători, tinerii noștri sunt elevi și sunt studenți; și au nevoie de măcar un laptop, măcar o tabletă, iar mai departe au nevoie de un cămin rezonabil unde să locuiască și de o chirie. În momentul ăsta nu și le pot permite, majoritatea dintre ei, pe niciuna dintre acestea, în niciun caz din alocație, și cu atât mai puțin din burse.
               

                  Banii pe care noi îi alocăm aici, sunt foarte mulți. Ne place să semnăm miliarde pe hârtie. Numai că nu ajung la ei, ajung de foarte multe ori la niște rectori, niște șefi de universități pe care nu-i mai schimbă nimeni, care rămân acolo pe viață. Tinerii noștri ajung să cerceteze, numai că cercetează site-urile pentru a-și găsi joburi, site-urile de locuri de muncă, iar tinerii noștri pleacă din țările lor pentru a-și găsi un viitor mai bun și noi, pur și simplu, stăm și ne uităm la chestia asta.
               

                  Vreau să vă întreb: nu credeți că ar fi o chestie de bun-simț, măcar, nu știu, să îi ajutăm, să le dăm lor direct banii, să nu-i mai ia rectorii, să le dăm măcar un bilet de avion, să se întoarcă de unde sunt ei, de Crăciun și de Paște, acasă? Cred că ar trebui să ne gândim foarte serios la chestia asta.
               

Catch-the-eye procedure


Clare Daly (The Left). – Madam President, quality research obviously requires very good working conditions and I think in the report the authors describe the considerable difficulties faced by young researchers in obtaining permanent academic posts. The quest, I suppose, for permanent contracts is complex, and it does have an impact on academic freedom as well. We hear, talk and see evidence of the pressure on young researchers to publish in much-sought-after journals, which often encourage focus on sort of hot topic areas, rather than on the whole approach to consolidating knowledge through a careful process of corroboration and documenting research.
All of this is a consequence of neoliberals' attack on academia. Knowledge and research has become commodified for profit and business interests, rather than for societies and the public's general knowledge and benefits. We see arts and classics particularly debased, and researchers left in precarious positions. We need public funding for an increase in public polls to support high-quality research.

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Madam President, the Irish Federation of University Teachers has warned of alarming levels of precarious employment in Irish higher education institutions. Among the 550 academics they surveyed, 36% consider themselves precariously employed. Thousands of workers in third-level institutions in Ireland have non-permanent, temporary or zero-hour contracts, often with no access to benefits such as holiday or sick pay.
The younger they are, the worse it gets. PhD researchers in Ireland are officially classified as students. This means they are in a grey area, where they face most requirements of employment, but reap hardly any of the benefits. The average PhD stipend is one of the lowest in the European Union and well below the minimum wage. And remember, Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to live in. Irish universities who are chronically underfunded have come to rely on the unpaid labour of PhD students to keep the lights on. It's unacceptable. All researchers deserve fair wages and a dignified working environment.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)


Dubravka Šuica,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, it is evident that the substantial amount of work done to strengthen research careers in Europe needs to be adequately implemented at all levels, if we want the real improvement of careers on the ground.
The support of the European Parliament will be paramount in this respect. The Commission is fully committed to further strengthening the initiatives undertaken within the European Research Area and the Horizon Europe programme.
I would like to respond to Mr Kelly and Mr Flego. The proposed Council recommendation addresses adequate remuneration, including for young researchers. And the pilot for the attractive careers, which I mentioned, is extremely important to improve careers and working conditions of young people, and also young and early-career researchers. Through the support for the implementation of the framework conditions, we expect young and early-career researchers to benefit from more attractive careers. This includes, for example, better remuneration and working conditions, more stable jobs, adequate social protection rights, inter-sector mobility experiences that are not only fostered but also properly valued, gender equal careers and a more balanced circulation of talents. At the same time, the Horizon Europe pilot call in support of attractive research careers that I mentioned earlier, they will provide us with information on what kind of initiatives could be put in place to foster a collective investment effort in support especially of young and early-career researchers. These measures will also allow Europe to be more competitive in the global race for talents. We want to keep our talents in Europe, and we want to have the conditions in place for being attractive for international talents – this is also part of my demography portfolio.
To support implementation and to improve the situation on the ground, it is important to have data allowing for evidence-based decisions. In this regard, the Research and Innovation Career Observatory will play a crucial role. It will be developed in partnership with the OECD and will provide, on an annual basis, data and evidence on research and innovation careers, with a specific focus on skills and qualifications, on working conditions and employability, and on geographical and inter-sectorial mobility.
And to conclude, please be reassured that research careers will remain high on the Commission's agenda, including in the ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027, which is currently being discussed with Member States, countries associated to Horizon Europe and other stakeholders.

President. – Thank you, Vice-President. The debate is closed. The vote will be held at the next part-session.


Written statements (Rule 171)



Sandra Pereira (The Left),
por escrito. – Falar de jovens investigadores implica falar necessariamente da precariedade que reina no setor e que importa erradicar para que se possa falar do seu futuro. Muitos os investigadores e outros trabalhadores científicos, incluindo doutorados, permanecem anos e anos na qualidade de bolseiros, sem contratos de trabalho e sem os direitos elementares que lhes estão inerentes, ou como contratados a termo, sem a necessária estabilidade que a função merece e exige.
               

                  Todos sabemos que não há efetiva liberdade de criação e produção científica e intelectual enquanto a precariedade for uma realidade transversal a todo o setor. Nesse sentido, a defesa dos direitos laborais dos investigadores e dos trabalhadores científicos, a valorização das carreiras, o estabelecimento de contratos de trabalho com vínculos estáveis e acesso à segurança social, com garantias de proteção na doença, maternidade, desemprego e reforma, são medidas fundamentais.
               

                  O investimento na ciência, no conhecimento e na formação avançada de recursos humanos constitui, reconhecidamente, um fator fundamental de promoção do desenvolvimento económico, social e cultural de todos os países da União Europeia.
               

                  Lamentavelmente, a estratégia de alguns Estados-Membros, a reboque da UE, é baseada no mercado. A precariedade imposta aos investigadores não é inevitável; é uma opção política errada que condiciona o seu trabalho e a sua vida!
               
8.   Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

President. – The minutes and texts adopted of yesterday's sitting are available. Are there any comments?
As that is not the case, the minutes are approved.
9.   Explanations of vote

President. – The next item is the explanations of vote.
9.1.   Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (A9-0062/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand)

Oral explanations of vote


Anders Vistisen (ID). – Fru formand! Det er jo sådan, hver gang vi taler om at forbedre EU's sikkerhed, taler om at forbedre vores samarbejde, når det kommer til kriminalitetsbekæmpelse, så bliver svaret altid her fra huset: En større europæisk integration. I stedet for at samarbejde som frivillige medlemsstater, som selvstændige nationalstater, så skal løsningen altid findes i et evigt tættere samarbejde med en overnational konstruktion. Det er simpelthen ikke til at forstå, når vi ser på, hvor velfungerende politisamarbejde som f.eks. Interpol er, hvor man har det mellemstatslige samarbejde, at man i EU ikke forstår, at i stedet for hele tiden at forøge integrationen, så kunne svaret også være at motivere de nationale myndigheder til at bruge samarbejdet mere. Når man for eksempel ser på Europols database, så er Danmark et af de lande, der trækker allermest data ud, selv om vi ikke er med i den overstatslige konstruktion. Så i stedet for at få mere EU, prøv at bruge det, der er.
                  
9.2.   Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions) (A9-0063/2023 - Emil Radev, Marina Kaljurand)

Oral explanations of vote


Anders Vistisen (ID). – Fru formand! Når vi ser på det her juridiske samarbejde, så er det beklageligt, at det er så bøvlet at få tredjeparts lande ind. Danmark har med vores retsforbehold en særlig status som tredjeland, og en gang imellem virker det i EU, som om man hellere vil holde folk ude i stedet for i fællesskab at bekæmpe organiseret kriminalitet. At bekæmpe det, der sker, når internationale bander, internationale kriminelle organisationer, mafiaen forsøger at ødelægge, korrumpere vores lande. Derfor vil vi bare opfordre til, at man fra Europa-Parlamentet, fra Kommissionen, fra Rådets side i meget større omfang gør disse programmer åbne, ikke bare for de europæiske lande, men også med politimyndigheder i andre lande. Vi må erkende, at kriminalitet desværre er blevet et internationalt fænomen. Men det stopper ikke ved den nationale grænse. Det stopper heller ikke ved en EU-grænse. Det stopper kun, hvis man imellem velfungerende lande samarbejder, og det er det, vi beder om.
                  
9.3.   Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities (A9-0334/2023 - Arnaud Danjean)

Oral explanations of vote


Ангел Джамбазки (ECR). – Г-жо Председател, гласувах в подкрепа на доклада за този стратегически компас и отбранителни способности на Европейския съюз, базирани в космическото пространство. В настоящия геополитически контекст на нарастваща стратегическа конкуренция и увеличаване на заплахите към Европейския съюз трябва да бъдат предприети решителни стъпки за гарантиране на сигурността му. На 10- ти март 2023-та година беше приета първата по рода си космическа стратегия на ЕС за сигурност и отбрана и това е важно и полезно. Съюзът изостава значително от другите космически сили. Видяхме на практика колко важни са геопространствените изображения и силната свързаност при военни цели, маневриране и отбрана. Нашата задача е да имаме автономност в тази област, да гарантираме европейските държави с достъп до подобни системи. Всички тези действия трябва да бъдат в рамките на Северноатлантическия договор и в унисон със стратегическите му действия. Докладът е амбициозен и вероятно изглежда много далечен, но смятам, че на базата на сериозния военен разрив в Европа и военните конфликти на нашите граници трябва да бъдат предприети мерки за гарантирането на сигурността и отбраната на Съюза.
                  

Clare Daly (The Left). – Madam President, I voted against this report. For decades, European space efforts have been civilian, and this report attempts to move us away from that. The generals and the arms lobbyists are knocking at the door with pockets full of threat multipliers and defence research proposals. Privatisation and militarisation of the final frontier: one great stride for war and one giant leap for profit. And the MEPs are going along with it.
The first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, wrote, ‘Let us preserve our planet, not destroy it’. Two years ago William Shatner, at 90, became the oldest ever astronaut. Looking down, he saw life in the face of climate devastation and described it as ‘the strongest feelings of grief I have ever had’.
The clock is running out. We do not have time to waste colonising our solar system. Militarising space will not solve world conflicts, it will only make them worse. We call on the EU to change course, to embrace peaceful cooperation and scientific discovery on our planet's surface and above it.

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Madam President, this is not a serious report. It's reckless and irresponsible in the extreme. I voted against it. The greatest risk to EU space infrastructure is the abundance of space traffic and debris. The solution is to develop, at UN level, an effective framework for the coordination of space situational awareness, and to develop norms and principles for space debris removal. Instead, the report weaponises trumped up nonsense and threat inflation about goodies and baddies, with the aim of militarising and creating an arms race in space while cutting off avenues of international cooperation. It is a bonanza for the arms industry, whose money is obviously well spent wearing out the carpets in the Commission and Parliament in Brussels, but a disaster for humankind, who need there to be a multilateral collaboration and a peaceful operating theatre in space in order to navigate the central threat to life on Earth, the climate crisis. We need a new international treaty to ensure peace, security and prevention of a space arms race. The report works against this essential need.
9.4.   Innovative humanitarian aid strategy: spotlight on current and forgotten crises (A9-0321/2023 - Carlos Zorrinho)

Oral explanations of vote


Anders Vistisen (ID). – Fru formand! Så står vi her igen. Endnu engang har man krævet flere penge til nødhjælp, til humanitært arbejde. På trods af at danske skatteydere og europæiske skatteydere i generationer har betalt uden at se en forbedring. Det værste er, at en stor del af disse penge skal dirigeres igennem såkaldte NGO'er, foreninger, der påstår, at de ikke har noget med lande at gøre, men for de flestes vedkommende får den største del af deres finansielle muligheder og deres budgetter fra netop nationalstaterne, samtidig med at de ofte har en radikaliseret og venstreorienteret ideologi, som de forsøger at presse ned over konflikterne. Vi ser det aktuelt i konflikten i Gaza, hvor en række NGO'er fra Læger uden Grænser til Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke og Røde Kors forsøger at proppe en ideologisk fortolkning af krigen ned i halsen på de selv samme skatteydere, der er tvunget til at finansiere deres arbejde. Om de er enige med dem eller ej. Hvis man gerne vil være NGO, så sige nej tak til statens penge, prøv at fundraise dem selv, og se hvor mange der er enig i jeres budskaber.
                  

Clare Daly (The Left). – Madam President, I voted for this report because I believe that an improved approach to humanitarian aid is, in fact, badly needed. We see this, in particular, as the reports emerge of the Commission blocking necessary aid to Palestinian organisations, killing them with paperwork even as the humanitarian disaster gets worse there. Talk of monitoring their social media posts, insinuating that legitimate criticisms of Zionist Israel is the same as anti-Semitism, which of course it isn't.
I also believe that forgotten crises need to be remembered. I particularly want to put on record the appalling devastation being experienced by the people of Afghanistan two years after the US withdrawal. The country is as unstable as it was. Their bank assets are still frozen and taken by the West. We had a recent earthquake where 3 000 people died and it didn't even get a mention in the newspaper. Over a million Afghans are being expelled from Pakistan with nowhere to go. How is this people supposed to expect to face a deadly winter? USD 400 million needed by the World Food Bank, and not a fraction of that money coming before them.

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Madam President, this report on humanitarian aid strategy talks about increasing aid, preventive measures on conflict and the climate crisis, and ensuring sanctions do not hinder aid provision.
The sad truth is the EU and its allies are barrelling along in the opposite direction. NATO occupied and bombed Afghanistan for 20 years, flooding the place with weapons, then ran away with 7 billion in central bank funds. Millions are attempting to flee due to food insecurity, approaching famine conditions, breakdown of the economy and natural disasters. And still, the West refuses to lift the crippling sanctions that are the main drivers of the crisis.
Millions flee to Iran, but we're sanctioning them to death as well. What about Yemen, where EU Member States took part in a genocidal war that used famine as a weapon? It's almost obscene for the EU to talk about innovative aid strategies when our like-minded partners, the US, are revealing the coordinates of aid groups in Gaza so Israel can bomb them, and now the Commission has sanctioned them, so they'll never be able to rebuild. Let's get real.
9.5.   Job creation – the just transition and impact investments (A9-0342/2023 - Sara Matthieu)

Oral explanations of vote


Ангел Джамбазки (ECR). – Г-жо Председател, ‘Създаването на работни места, справедлив преход, инвестиции с положително въздействие’ е докладът, който не подкрепих и гласувах против него. Скъпи колеги, това звучи като заглавие на доклад, изнесен пред Политическото бюро на Президиума на Централния комитет на Комунистическата партия на европейския Съветски съюз за успешното прилагане на петилетката или в държавите от Съюза за икономическа взаимопомощ, по-младите от вас това изобщо не го помнят. Поредният доклад, засилен от зеления алармизъм, който се фокусира върху климатични промени, без да отчита, че реално Европа като континент е най-малкият замърсител. И въпреки хубавото заглавие, този доклад не предполага мерки, които да осигурят работни места. Напротив, цели и ще успее да закрие работни места и ще доведе до обезлюдяването на цели региони. Това ще се случи и в България, като се закрият мощностите на въглища тецове в маришкия басейн. Апропо, тези, които говорят за зелена енергия, сега да видят колко ток се произвежда от тези въглища и колко се произвежда от перките. Там работят дванайсет хиляди човека, а предприятието е гръбнак на икономиката и енергетиката в региона. Този справедлив преход ще ги остави без работа, а парите, отпуснати по механизма за него, ще потънат в определени фирми, които правят перки и слънчеви батерии – нищо повече. Затова гласувах убедено против доклада. Той е антиинвестиционен, антипазарен, антииндустриален, той антиевропейски по съществото си. Европа има нужда от развитие, бизнес, силна икономика, а не от зелен комунизъм на планова икономика.
                  

Piernicola Pedicini (Verts/ALE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, come si fa a creare lavoro? Per prima cosa bisognerebbe evitare di toglierlo il lavoro. Abbiamo l'occasione unica di riformare quei meccanismi che strozzano le economie di alcuni Stati membri ma non siamo stati capaci di fare proprio nulla.
                  

                     L'Italia ha un debito pubblico di 2 800 miliardi ma fino ad ora ha già versato nelle tasche dei banchieri 3 000 miliardi di euro in spese per interessi. È normale tutto questo? Eppure, ogni anno gli italiani fanno registrare un surplus primario che viene totalmente assorbito dalla spesa per interessi.
                  

                     E allora l'Italia ha trovato la soluzione: quella di caricare la spesa soltanto su una parte del proprio territorio. In Italia si sacrifica il Sud per mantenere la competitività soltanto al Centro e al Nord. E i fondi europei sono una quota ridicola rispetto a quanto viene sottratto al Sud ogni anno.
                  

                     Perciò il lavoro si crea da una parte del Paese, ma si distrugge nell'altra. Io dico che l'Esecutivo europeo deve spiegare perché non fa niente per impedire queste ingiustizie.
                  
9.6.   The lack of legislative follow-up by the Commission to the PEGA resolution (B9-0464/2023, B9-0467/2023)

Oral explanations of vote


Clare Daly (The Left). – Madam President, I voted for this report. Parliament's position on spyware should be clear: no sale of it, no use of it. Full stop. The end. It's not abuse that's the problem as the resolution said – it's use. There is no way to use spyware that isn't abusive. It's a weapon, it's targeting our civilians, and No European government should be using weapons against its citizens, against civilians.
Of course, it is no surprise at all that this was developed in Israel, Israel being infamous for being at the cutting edge of technologies of vicious repression. It is the nerve centre of global development of technologies of violence, subjugation and control, weapons and surveillance technology tested on Palestinians and marketed and sold to Western governments, with boasts of its effectiveness in grinding people's rights into the dust. There is even a name for it: the Palestine Laboratory. Well, as long as this laboratory exists, the world is a more dangerous, violent place, and the cause of Palestine is the cause of the world. If anyone in here cares about human rights, you'll wake up and recognise that.
9.7.   Revised pollinators initiative – a new deal for pollinators (B9-0463/2023)

Oral explanations of vote


Андрей Слабаков (ECR). – Г-жо Председател, аз гласувах за тази резолюция, защото подкрепям всички мерки, които защитават пчелите и всички останали опрашители. Много се говори последните дни за продоволствената сигурност в Европа. Не знам дали разбирате, че без пчели няма да има храна. Независимо какви пестициди хвърляте и в какви количества върху реколтата, храна няма да има. Опрашителите, и по-специално пчелите, трябва да бъдат защитени на всяка цена. Не смятам, че сегашните мерки са достатъчни. Кой ни гарантира, че новите пестициди, наречени биопестициди, не вредят върху пчелите и опрашителите. Това трябва да бъде основен критерий също толкова важен, колкото ефекта върху хората, защото се правят такива проби. Това е един изключително важен урок за Европейския съюз и за държавите членки и трябва да разберете – здравето на пчелите е точно толкова важно, колкото здравето на хората и трябва да спрат контрабандните канали във Франция, Германия, Холандия и Австрия на пестициди, които са абсолютно забранени, а тези канали съществуват, както и нелегалните мигрантски канали, защото там са централите.
                  

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Madam President, no pollinators means no agriculture. It's as simple as that. In 2020, the European Court of Auditors found that the first EU pollinators initiative had little effect on the halting of pollinator decline. It's very hard to have any fate at all in the revised initiative's ability to halt pollinator decline after what happened in this Chamber yesterday with the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation vote.
The EPP tabled an amendment to the pollinators initiative report to delete support for the alignment of the pollinators initiative with the Nature Restoration Law. They do not want legally binding rules, just guidelines. They do not want binding national reduction targets, just plans. There were 65 votes in favour of this report in the Environment Committee, 1 vote against and 3 abstentions. But this is just a report with no consequences in the real world. It's not legislation. Everyone says they want to save the bees, but only unless it means intensive agriculture can continue as normal and we don't have to upset big agri and the pesticide companies.

President. – That concludes the explanations of vote.
10.   Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

President. – The minutes of the sitting will be submitted to Parliament for its approval at the beginning of its next sitting. If there are no objections I shall forward forthwith the resolutions adopted at today's sitting to the persons and bodies named in the resolutions.
11.   Dates of forthcoming sittings

President. – The next part-session will take place from 11-14 December
12.   Closure of the sitting

(The sitting closed at 15.49)

13.   Adjournment of the session

President. – I declare adjourned the session of the European Parliament.


ELI: 
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)