kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
i worked for a humanitarian organisation in syria for four years and i cannot express the shame i feel for the international community's inability to protect the people of idlib.
i know how racism feels and i don't want anyone to endure what me and my people have to endure on a daily basis.
we are witnessing police violence against romani people across europe.
in germany too we are witnessing police violence against sinti and roma and in berlin there is a debate about the dismantling of the holocaust monument to the sinti and roma because of a tramline a disgrace and insult to the victims of the holocaust.
equal participation of romani people must be achieved at all levels of government through binding targets and legislation at national regional and local level.
covid nineteen has made the effects of anti gypsyism visible to everyone.
a new approach is needed.
friends do not behave in the way that turkey has been behaving.
the time has come to admit that the current framework for our talks with turkey the membership framework is completely out of touch with reality. it's time for a fundamental strategic rethink of euturkey relations.
maybe we cannot be friends but turkey needs to be a better neighbour and you can do that.
so if we cannot be friends let's take the turkish approach and have more transactional relationships.
we can have a relationship that is built on trade but we should not be naive to the fact that both our values and interests are not converging they are diverging.
this is the behaviour of an autocrat and we cannot continue to entertain autocrats on tuesday and then on wednesday claim we are a continent based on democratic values.
at the forum on minority issues the eu took the floor on the topic of education language and the human rights of minorities.
as minority schools are being closed across europe was this issue brought
in the absence of a legally binding framework agreement the conclusions of the eu belarus partnership priorities remains an important objective and i believe that having an agreed set of political priorities including on human rights and nuclear safety would provide
new technologies bring opportunities to promote human rights and democracy but also generate uncertainty and challenges.
two thousand and nineteen resistance against dictators has also been growing.
subject that the report highlights is the link between human rights and the environment.
despite the fact that we rely so heavily on women to make up the much needed workforce of carers teachers and nurses women are generally experiencing the biggest socio economic consequences of the pandemic. there is also some good news and progress in human rights policy and democracy. for example let's
slowly but firmly we are advancing in this field.
we are concerned about the restrictions on freedom of assembly and speech including the reported detention of peaceful protesters bloggers and journalists.
let me start right out with the latest developments.
in fact it is one of the most important actors in both conflicts.
last october the council firmly condemned turkey's military operation in north east syria yet we must also acknowledge where our interests coincide.
these are very sensitive issues and economically very important. the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples against among others land grabbing is of central concern.
i reassure you that we pay very close attention to the situation on the ground in the context of the nine august presidential elections.
the report equally highlights the link between the digital transformation of our societies and human rights and democracy.
some societies in tunisia sri lanka and gambia made democratic improvements and unhappily autocracy has expanded in.
rights. we expect to be invited by belarus as soon as possible to observe the upcoming presidential elections.
i would like to say more things about this report but i have to turn according to the agenda to the second item that you have titled stability and security in the mediterranean and the negative role of turkey'.
let's hope she is going to be the first of many.
so we can have all the strategies we like but we really need implementation if we are to achieve equality.
reproductive rights are so important for traveller and roma women because they face such exclusion and discrimination in many of our member states.
in hungary in other countries not been able to get reparations for forced sterilisation and so on.
but for me what's even better about her is i met her first when she was a campaigner for abortion rights in ireland not an easy position for a young traveller woman to be in.
madam president it's fitting for me to talk about roma inclusion in a week when eileen flynn has become the first irish traveller to take a seat in the irish parliament.
in my own country ireland antitraveller sentiment is broadly acceptable which means that state money for traveller housing is not spent the traveller health strategy has not been implemented in ten years and the traveller health committee has not met in ten years.
third streamlining the existing framework.
this twofold objective has guided our internal preparatory work from the very beginning and has also made it clear from the very start that to better combine health and environmental protection and increase global competitiveness all parties and stakeholders have to work closely together.
at the same time a strong and sustainable eu industry is an important asset for the eu to contribute to global sustainability.
i appreciate that in the resolution that you will adopt tomorrow you equally acknowledge this horizontal character of chemicals.
we will of course also take into account the over four hundred comments and contributions we received from stakeholders and citizens on the roadmap for the chemical strategy which was published for feedback from nine may until twenty june of this year.
finally strengthening the global dimension.
the strategy is based and will build on a number of policy evaluations and previous initiatives linked to the eu chemicals legislation and in particular the second reach review from two thousand and eighteen the fitness check of chemicals legislation from two thousand and nineteen the communication on endocrine disrupters from two thousand and eighteen and the communication on options to address the interface between chemical product and waste legislation from.
let me already thank you for the considerable work and effort you have put into this important resolution which as i said comes very timely.
once the final chemical strategy for sustainability has been adopted by the college i will of course be happy to come back and present it to you and i already look forward to working very closely with you to implement it because the work will of course not finish with the adoption of the strategy quite the contrary.
insufficient enforcement and poor compliance are also major bottlenecks preventing existing legislation from attaining its full potential.
first strengthening legislation for higher health and environmental protection from hazardous chemicals.
this is a challenge for both stakeholders and authorities.
second boosting innovation and competitiveness.
we need to incentivise the development of safe and sustainable production and use of chemicals.
internal discussions and preparatory work are still ongoing so i'm sure you will understand that the information i can provide today remains general and that i cannot yet go into any details of the upcoming strategy. the chemical strategy for sustainability is one of the key deliverables of the green deal and one of the priorities of course within my portfolio this year.
we have the opportunity to rationalise and simplify and make it more effective including by moving towards a one substance one assessment' process.
first it should help to protect citizens and the environment better against hazardous chemicals and it had to encourage innovation for the development of safe and sustainable alternatives.
despite the great achievements of eu chemicals legislation we urgently need to step up action in particular to better protect vulnerable groups to address the combined effects of chemicals to tackle endocrine disrupters and persistent substances.
the transition to safe and sustainable by design' represents a major opportunity for the eu's innovation and competitiveness.
when we adopted the green deal last december we all agreed to ensure a toxic free environment.
it is important that the eu becomes more and more an example worldwide of standards on sound management of chemicals to strengthen international standards and support third countries in the safe production and use of chemicals.
fourth intensifying research and knowledge on the impacts of chemicals on health and the environment but also ways to better process and share this data and information for regulatory use but also for consumer information or industrial use in the supply chain.
you highlight both the need to act towards a safe and sustainable use of chemicals but also the essential role of the chemical sector in reaching the multiple targets of the green deal such as the zero pollution ambition climate neutrality energy transition the promotion of energy efficiency
once adopted we will examine it very carefully and take it into account when finalising our chemical strategy over the next weeks.
one key area is the tracking of hazardous substances in articles to achieve non toxic material cycles and ultimately a circular economy.
let me now provide you with some more elements on our upcoming chemical strategy for sustainability.
our legislative framework is overall fit for purpose but also complex and in some cases inconsistent and slow.
this also applies of course to the commission which is why my services my team and i are preparing the strategy in a very close cooperation with many other dgs cabinets and commissioners involved in this very horizontal i would say topic.
we also need to support the recovery from the economic crisis build resilience and ensure strategic autonomy in the supply of essential chemicals in europe for instance for health applications or technologies critical to achieve climate neutrality digital transition clean and safe material cycles and zero pollution.
to respond to the corona pandemic the chemical strategy is planned for the third quarter and we are currently working towards an adoption at the end of the third quarter this year.
i equally reiterate my thanks to the members present here today for the relentless support towards advancing the agenda on roma inclusion and equality participation.
she said human and civil rights the inviolability of human dignity the freedom of individual personal political and social development protection against discrimination and disregard
i thank all of you here today and the honourable ms lvia jrka mr romeo franz and mr peter pollk in particular for the visibility that they provide for the roma community their commitment and their tireless work for roma equality inclusion
these are the ethical and political foundations on which europe rests.
are the rights that apply to everyone. they do not apply to some more and others less.
the pandemic brought to the fore and accentuated deeprooted discrimination and hatred against these communities.
in some member states and i really regret to say roma persons have also been portrayed as a public health threat during the crisis.
roma people need your and my and our indefatigable relentless commitment and hard work.
' with this chancellor merkel quote in our minds and in our hearts i shall now address the roma reality the subject of our debate today.
but we also know that legislation is one thing and how effective this is on people's lives is another.
we aim to have a strong ambitious and allencompassing strategy.
the already existing inequalities have been compounded;
overcoming discrimination and exclusion of roma requires a longterm commitment and a comprehensive approach.
and work towards improved data collection and monitoring of progress through indicators and clear targets to ensure effective progress and promote policy learning.
they apply.
we are closely monitoring member states' compliance with the directive.
inclusion.
the council framework decision on combating certain forms of racism and xenophobia is the tool to fight against hate crime including antigypsyism in speech or action.
the commission is aware of this fact not least through a series of targeted communications and we have done all possible to deliver prompt intervention.
they relate to the segregation of roma children in mainstream schools and their overrepresentation in schools for children with intellectual disabilities.
ensure meaningful participation of and partnership with roma communities roma civil society and all other stakeholders;
all of these are contrary to eu values and go against the basic principles of our democracy.
the commission responded from the very beginning of the outbreak of the crisis.
for instance together with commissioners kyriakides and schmit i wrote to member states emphasising the need for specific measures for the most vulnerable groups including roma in the context of the coronavirus crisis. we also put forward several instruments as an immediate response to the crisis which can offer support to vulnerable groups such as roma.
i trust that together we can do a lot to change and improve our societies.
the european union has the legally binding tools to combat discrimination including those based on racial or ethnic origin.
we will remain on alert and will continue to intervene based on need in line with our duty and responsibility.
no one and definitely not the most vulnerable should carry more than the fair share of the burden of this epidemic. the roma community has suffered not just the health and economic impact of this crisis.
they do not apply to some always and to others only sometimes.
legislation on its own is never enough in any area and thus we must do much more.
it is my firm belief that building on the findings of the evaluation of the two thousand and eleven two thousand and twenty framework we need to put a stronger focus on promoting equality for roma by fighting antigypsyism and discrimination hand in hand with promoting socioeconomic
the racial equality directive prohibits discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin in key aspects of life.
longlasting inequalities discrimination and exclusion have become more visible.
three infringement procedures are ongoing against member states.
we need to better reflect the diversity among roma;
this is the promise of europe that we must guarantee that citizens can truly be free to live their religious beliefs their cultural or political beliefs that they may adhere to their respective ideas of happiness or good life.
roma as an ethnic minority fall within the protected categories of people covered by these legal tools and we have a duty to enforce them.
i plan to present the new initiative later this year.
as you know roma living in marginalised communities are some of the most vulnerable groups hit the hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.
i am actively working with the countries concerned to put an end to this situation and will not shy away from opening further infringement proceedings where there is the need.
promote a consistent focus on roma equality and inclusion in all mainstream policies;
the european commission condemns strongly all forms of stigmatisation ethnicisation and roma scapegoating.
this is shameful.
as i had announced we are preparing an ambitious post two thousand and twenty initiative the strategic eu framework for equality inclusion and participation of roma up
the dire consequences of this pandemic on roma communities have further accentuated the need for a renewed and strong commitment from all stakeholders to advance further together with the full involvement of roma people themselves.
madam president i thank mr roth for this heartfelt introduction to this very important debate. honourable members thank you for putting roma inclusion on today's agenda.
equality equality that is not only claimed but also realised.
and participation including through the organisation of this debate.
i shall start by quoting chancellor merkel in her speech here in this parliament yesterday.
cop on to yourselves!
we hear so much about european values but we are playing a pitiful role in the region.
the caesar sanctions introduced by the us are a blanket punishment of the people of syria and we are saying nothing about it. and yet we're happy to support war criminals like bin salman and netanyahu.
this would be the kind of eu strategic autonomy in which our voters could believe.
where is the eu strategy here? today we have to speak about the capability of the eu to act near its borders to act in coordination with nato.
there are a lot of talks about eu strategic autonomy in the security area. the processes that have been developing in the mediterranean for several years now confirm that we have to act not only talk. when the eu is not acting others do in this case turkey and russia.
this strategy will be delivered as the very first step towards a zeropollution ambition for a toxic free environment with the action plan to follow in. two thousand and twenty one it will also complement other objectives under the green deal notably to protect biodiversity and to move towards climate neutrality at the end of the day a huge contribution to a circular economy.
roadmap for action where all parties should work together.
its horizontal character makes it so relevant and we will need joint efforts and the constructive involvement of all stakeholders to implement it and make it a success on the ground.
the strategy will also support other priorities of the european commission such as the digital transition strengthening the european union's competitiveness fighting cancer and many others.
the covid nineteen crisis has clearly increased the urgency to step up action in the chemicals area. we have to ensure the protection of our citizens support the socio economic recovery of european industry and also promote our strategic autonomy for those chemicals which are important to society and health.
our rule of law proposal creates a genuine budgetary protection mechanism. second it's a targeted tool to protect the european union budget.
third it's an objective and transparent budgetary mechanism to protect sound financial management.
two thousand and nineteen the points raised by parliament were well noted notably the need to ensure the protection of final recipients and beneficiaries. it's important that they don't pay the price for rule of law deficiencies.
the measures will need to be based on concrete factual elements and on specific grounds.
the commission is committed to addressing these issues in the trilogues.
i know this is indeed very ambitious and would represent an unprecedented speed.
i count on the continued support of parliament to find an agreement that preserves the effectiveness and the ambition of this important proposal.
i think that for citizens companies and regions every day counts and we have to deliver.
it establishes a genuine mechanism to protect the eu budget and ensure sound financial management.
measures will be proportionate to the impact on the eu budget and the position of the member state concerned will be duly considered. the burden of proof will be borne by the commission and the council.
that means that it's fully in line with the treaties and it's distinct from the mechanism under article seven of the treaties.
so let me highlight three points. first where there are cases of generalised rule of law deficiencies in a member state we need an effective instrument to protect taxpayers' money.
the lives of millions of people the future of hundreds of thousands of companies and the prospects of many regions depend on our recovery plan.
day by day we endanger the lives of human beings of our brothers and sisters as our christian democrat friends would say but we can change and we can learn from our mistakes.
second we must acknowledge that we are a continent of immigration and we must create new channels and new pathways and create new opportunities for people to enter the european union.
yes we must establish security but what is security? as long as eu countries are closing down their harbours to migrants and refugees there is no security in the mediterranean.
first we need to set up a european asylum system that is centred around the right to asylum and around the asylum interview.
security in the mediterranean can only be reached by applying asylum and maritime law by allowing people to disembark after days on freighters and by relocating people out of the camps on the greek islands.
look at turkey's recent actions. they go completely against all european values and interests.
its illegal drilling activities in territorial waters;
last but not least its repeated threats and blackmail to open up the gates to europe. the list could go on.
it's a neighbour and i do believe in the necessity of a strong partnership but turkey continues to move further away from the eu.
this parliament has been clear about its position. this authoritarian turkey cannot join the eu. i thank you for your efforts in continuing the dialogue with turkey but i also ask you to be very clear and frank with turkey
that there can be no upgrade of relations in whatever form as long as its actions do not change and as long as turkey does not show readiness for serious reforms.
thank you very much and good luck.
after one decade of roma strategies please remember only one figure every third roma child lives in a home where someone went to bed hungry at least once in the previous month.
the european union can provide the necessary encouragement structure and coordination to the member states to move away from the institutional and political inaction. in central and eastern europe we need to give the highest priority to address hunger extreme poverty and severe housing deprivation among roma.
the third would be better access to the labour market.
in all our societies we need to do more to fight discrimination to inform the public about the vulnerability of roma to reduce prejudices all this is about education.
the european commission must continue to enhance its efforts in promoting and defending these values be through political action or financial support.
both are important. this is now so crucial because we have to counter the discriminating and very well internationally organised anti gender movement.
i also appreciate our multilateral approach and the leading role of the european union international fora defending lgbti rights and gender equality.
however leading role means leading example otherwise we lose all credibility.
the commission and council must act and i say that we have to be coherent and stay credible when it comes to promoting human rights worldwide and encourage human rights defence.
madam president this new budget is a perfect chance for the european union to finally move beyond lip service to put our money where our mouths are to place our european values at the heart of our european budget.
our smart conditionality mechanism is a perfect way to ensure that corrupted governments who violate the rule of law are punished but final beneficiaries ngos local governments the people are not.
monitoring through mandatory membership in the european public prosecutor's office freezing funds in case of systemic breaches and redirecting them to final beneficiaries with direct control by the commission.
let me add something to the political difficulties that are being discussed so often by the council.
there is a narrative that a conflict of interest exists between member states and i believe this is largely a misconception.
of course there is a conflict of interest but it's between the heads of states and governments and they do not equal their member states.
so i would be curious to hear who the council chooses to represent because i believe that the council should be representing the people the small businesses the ngos the local governments the people in need and they should be the recipients of a direct eu funding from the commission.