kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
i believe that this house and all of us individually must make sure that we are part of tilting the balance of respect for the rights of lgbt people to the progressive side.
that is a responsibility we share because lgbti peoples' rights are human rights which we must safeguard.
but actually we see situations getting worse particularly as has been highlighted in uganda and nigeria where lgbti people are being criminalised.
we have a certain amount of power through the help we give to many of these countries to ensure that that actually becomes the situation.
gay people have lived in every culture throughout history and governments must understand that this is a basic element of human sexuality.
governments of course have the right to make their own laws free from outside interference but they do not have the right to criminally prosecute and persecute innocent people who simply wish to lead alternative private lifestyles.
we must therefore do all that we can to support the lgbt communities and to work with our partners around the world particularly with reference to the recent bills before the ugandan president and in nigeria to criminalise homosexuality there to encourage changes to these rather regressive and unpleasant laws.
one final point.
if you find such a contact group and possibly a solution i think we need to back that up much more strongly than with the current un mission.
we need not hundreds we need thousands;
what is it that we are really putting on a table?
you were talking about russia.
we need a full un peacekeeping mission and i think it would be high time to prepare for it now.
there are three issues we would like you to tackle. first of all strengthen the local and internal opposition to pave the way for political transition.
secretary general ban ki moon told the general assembly on thursday that this plan must remain the centrepiece of our efforts.
as regards settlement products eu foreign ministers underlined the need to work with the commission to ensure eu legislation is implemented effectively and with as much transparency as possible.
but for this to happen the opposition must finally come together and put its differences aside.
proposals for new settlements around east jerusalem the lack of palestinian involvement in area c the growth of settlements in the west bank settler violence and the financial situation of the palestinian authority all threaten the viability of a two state solution.
now we are working on two seminars that will feed into the arab league plans to organise a larger meeting with them.
we will continue to call for accountability and support un efforts in this regard.
insisting on the need to respect international and humanitarian law is absolutely consistent with our friendship with israel.
as kofi annan himself has made very clear all concerned and in particular the members of the un security council and those who have influence on the regime and on russia and china in particular must unite and apply more effective pressure to move forward to a solution.
we need to do much more to further isolate the regime build real and operational international consensus strengthen international sanctions and press the government towards compliance and transition.
i believe development of area c is critical to the viability of a future palestinian
levels. i have been really concerned at reports of palestinian authority restrictions on freedom of speech and have urged both sides to deal effectively with acts of incitement.
we have condemned all forms of violence against civilians including the rocket attacks from
i have been very clear from the beginning of what we call the arab spring or arab awakening that developments in the region make the peace process and a negotiated solution even more urgent and important not less. while we have to pay and should pay great attention to events in syria egypt and elsewhere ending the conflict remains a key priority
let me finish by reiterating our stated policy which is a negotiated two state solution.
i therefore welcome the idea of a contact group of key actors on the syrian crisis announced by kofi annan last thursday in the un security council.
we are working closely with them to do everything we can to facilitate the process and i hope the fourteen may foreign affairs council conclusions demonstrated to all the strong and principled position of the european
state. israel needs to help and facilitate this with concrete and pragmatic
secondly united action by the un security council to add more robust and effective pressure including the reinforcement of sanctions under chapter vii and thirdly international consensus around a political process and transition. with those three priorities in mind i have engaged with kofi annan and other leaders to try to seek a new consensus
we want the parties to build on positive exchanges and resume direct
clear. we need to open the crossings in gaza as the best way of improving the well being of the people and to see goods and people move
no other option has been able to gather together any kind of international support. i do pay tribute to kofi annan for his extraordinary efforts in exceedingly difficult conditions.
we have already allocated over eur twenty eight million to address the humanitarian needs inside syria and its neighbouring countries.
and yet most ordinary syrians long for the transition that would avoid bloodshed keep the country together and respect minorities.
but despite all the challenges it remains today the best way forward.
we discussed ongoing efforts with turkey and we are coordinating closely with the arab league.
we offered further help to turkey as needed.
only last week i deplored the israeli government's plans to build over eight hundred additional settlement housing units. settlement expansion has to be condemned because these are illegal under international law and put current peace efforts at
in. but i want to stress again that the eu's involvement in the region is also defined by its commitment to human rights which must be respected by both
we have to act decisively to prevent further bloodshed while avoiding fuelling the flames of sectarian violence. the only way forward is first of all to reinforce kofi annan's leverage with the syrian regime and to try to make the mission more effective.
i am working closely with commissioner georgieva to use all the tools we have at our disposal to deliver our assistance.
our delegation in damascus will remain open for as long as possible.
risk. i want to reiterate my call on the israeli government to exercise the highest sense of responsibility by reversing these decisions in full respect of international
if the descent into further militarisation continues it will spell terrible disaster not only for the people of syria but also for the broader region i am thinking especially of lebanon where developments are extremely worrying.
his regime fails to comply with its own commitments and every day underlines its lack of legitimacy. the implementation of kofi annan's plan is certainly not easy and its viability has been questioned.
a stronger and more united opposition that represents a credible alternative for all syrians is essential.
settlements remain the key and most serious concern.
parties. we will continue to address these issues in the context of our bilateral relations at all
i do not have to say how appalled all members of this house and all of us are by the sickening violence that we continue to witness in syria.
we need the syrian government to implement the agreed comprehensive humanitarian response plan without any more excuses or delays.
if i might i will now turn to the middle east peace process where our objective remains the same.
a one state outcome cannot be the solution. prime minister netanyahu reiterated last week his support for a two state solution and i hope we will see those strong words of his supported by action from both sides to move forward to a negotiated settlement for the people of israel and the people of palestine.
the international community has to show unity in this critical moment.
union. i have welcomed the recent exchange of letters between the parties and prime minister netanyahu's statement that the new israeli government will try to advance a responsible peace process'.
the situation is deteriorating day by day as the regime's behaviour reinforces the most radical elements on all sides.
talks. we remain unequivocally committed to the security of israel including with regard to vital threats in the region.
that is why we need to agree on a road map that reinforces kofi annan and the plan and that involves i would argue three key priorities firstly a more effective contact group that includes russia and china to coordinate support for kofi annan and exert influence on the regime.
issue. i have been engaged with them from the beginning of my mandate working closely with foreign minister stre of
we will follow up on the council conclusions also seeking progress with regard to area c for the benefit of the palestinian population a pressing issue that was the focus of our discussions at the last ad hoc liaison committee i hosted in brussels.
the extensive use of administrative detention is a key concern we raise at every opportunity.
it is crucial for the credibility of the international efforts and to show the people of syria that there is a path leading to a better rather than a more fragmented syria.
gaza. but the truth is that while the middle east peace process is not making the progress we all want the prospects for a two state solution are being undermined by developments on the ground.
on the humanitarian front of course the most pressing situation is in gaza. i have visited three times since taking office so my message and our support are
those responsible for these crimes must ultimately be held to account and we must focus on doing everything we can to stop this bloodshed.
in addition to our sanctions diplomatic efforts and support to the un mission which are appreciated by the un humanitarian assistance remains a top priority for the eu.
plans for major settlement expansion around the city's southern flank risk cementing this and the prospect of jerusalem as the future capital for both states is being further undermined.
frankly new leadership is not enough.
we continue to meet the different factions and groups in the opposition.
i believe that turkey is doing a great job in dealing with the refugees and they can count on our support as they continue to do so.
we must work on that so all options are open to the west including now an arms embargo and even limited military intervention to protect further civilian atrocities.
we should also consider proposing a fresh resolution in the security council to indict al assad and his henchmen before the icc.
clearly the international community must now look to the arab league for guidance but i am not sure about saudi arabia and qatar alone because they are not entirely credible in my view as they are not true democracies and they are far too close politically speaking and even arming the salafists.
russia must be aware that its credibility now is seriously at stake in the arab world. china will surely follow the russian lead.
all this must remain on the table to avert further descent into an all out sectarian civil war or even rwanda or srebrenica style genocide.
the syrian national council must now be more united.
turkey of course is a key player and ultimately is a democracy with the military might to intervene if it so wishes at its borders to impose a humanitarian safe corridor if necessary.
one thing needs to be very clear any military intervention regardless of how it is dressed up regardless of how it is disguised will not ease the suffering of the syrian people.
mr president a bbc journalist reporting from syria concluded sadly but accurately that what happened in houla at the end of may is terrible but is not unique.
as always it is working people the poor and children who suffer the most and the crocodile tears of sympathy from the imperialist powers in my opinion are deeply sickening deeply hypocritical considering that the day after the houla massacre a nato drone strike in afghanistan killed eight members of one family.
now the us is using the failure of the so called six point peace plan to threaten action outside of it.
sectarianism is deepening and there is a real danger of a conflict based on sectarian lines spilling over into other countries in the region.
the answer can only be a movement that unites working and poor people in syria regardless of religious and ethnic background which can meet the aspirations of the participants in the uprising of march.
only yesterday another one hundred people many of them children are estimated to have died across the country in this conflict that is sliding right into outright civil war.
every day we look at what more we can do to continue to put the economic pressure on the regime that prevents it from doing some of the things it would like that demonstrates international concern and commitment and that shows to those in syria who may not yet have realised it that this regime is going to go
their mandate is limited to observation and as we have just learned they put themselves at risk in so doing.
we have asked all countries to observe this and are working closely with the un under chapter.
we have to get those who have influence to put pressure on the regime;
we work with all those who share our values and principles wherever they come from whatever faith they have as long as they believe in human rights democracy the rule of law and the principles and values that we
i will be there and i know that russia will be there;
that was never more true than now with all the changes and challenges that are going on in the region all the concerns that israel has not least about iran and all the changes too in the neighbourhood which change the nature of the political and economic pressure being exerted.
time. there is a constant flow of information to and from us and a constant flow of contacts.
i think we should support him in that.
i have had the good fortune to speak many times on the phone with him and i know his frustration.
we want a two state solution that includes israel and we want to see israel recognise its international obligations and move forward on the peace process in its own interest.
i want to try to address three or four key areas that honourable members have raised and give my response to them while bearing in mind that finding solutions is extraordinarily difficult.
if we are going to move to do anything involving peacekeepers then we had better be absolutely clear what mandate it is that we are giving them and who is mandating them to operate. the syrian army is two hundred zero to three hundred zero strong and well armed so talk of military action needs to be thought through extremely carefully in what is a very complex situation
it looks as if it will be more representative than its predecessor but the challenges of agreeing a constitution by december are formidable and the constitution is so important.
what we have on the ground are observers. they are not peacekeepers.
we have talked about umbrella groups we have talked about representative groups all manner of ideas to try and get some kind of cohesion and unity between the different groups about what it is they are trying to do. it is very challenging and yet it is so necessary to be able to demonstrate and bring leadership
we have to work step by step and carefully to try to resolve this situation peacefully.
a way through that will enable the people to achieve first of all peace a ceasefire and then a transition to a government that will have their interests at heart and that they have chosen.
whatever frustration and concern you feel i promise you that that is magnified by the conversations which go on every hour of every day between ourselves the member states with other countries in the region with kofi annan with ban ki moon and with all of those who are really desperately trying to find a way through
but we really have got to think very carefully about how we try to achieve that outcome as swiftly as possible.
all the time that we are speaking we are very conscious that the situation on the ground is as bad as it possibly can be.
everything that we do is designed and geared to try to achieve that so i understand your passion and i share it.
on the ground.
it is why we have been very clear in support of what jordan has been trying to do to act as broker between the two. we do raise the issues of administrative detention both publicly in our statements and in all the contacts that we
there will be two important judgments on thursday about the running of ahmed shafik in the second round and whether the parliamentary elections from last november will
i think we have to make a really strong distinction between observers and peacekeepers they are not the same thing.
gaza. that is important but we need real trade in gaza we need to have the crossings open to allow the import and export of goods to build an economy in which people can invest. that i think is something we have discussed many
that does not mean that he or i do not realise how difficult it is.
we want israel to be a successful country.
so i do not know what is going to happen precisely or who will be there.
i know how hard he is trying to make things work but what he has asked us to do is to support him in the ways he is trying to bring everyone together and i will do that.
it is my view and i have made this clear to all of my israeli contacts to all the people i know there that if you want a secure israel solving the issues between them and the palestinians forms part of that security.
we do recognise the importance of the security of israel.
kofi annan worries a great deal that we do not make the distinction clear enough.
on the middle east process i agree with much of what has been said.
sunday. so there is enormous uncertainty in the country but i hope that what we will end up with is someone whom we can see has a democratic mandate.
we have to get the opposition to unite;
we talk to israel all the
have. finally i just want to say that we could have talked about other countries morocco is a good example of a country going through change and which we have not forgotten but i do hope that honourable members will stay committed to trying to support the people of syria in the way that we have witnessed in this house this evening.
planning and zoning laws have been used with impunity to dispossess the palestinian people of east jerusalem and destroy infrastructure throughout the west bank often built with eu funding.
how can we preserve east jerusalem as a future capital of two states?
this is unacceptable in a country claiming to uphold the rule of law.
another issue which demonstrates this is the long lasting israeli palestinian conflict.
we in the eu remain committed to a two state solution as confirmed in recent council conclusions on the middle east peace process. however current trends are deeply worrying especially concerning the use of administrative detention by the israeli government which is used to imprison palestinians without charge or evidence against them. many
despite declarations from the israeli government to end administrative detention this practice is still going on.
that is my own position which is why i support approval of the acaa protocol on recognition of pharmaceutical products while feeling entirely free to reproach israel on some matters as well as palestinians on some others.
i should add that we also need to be outspoken about what the carnegie endowment has recently called the unaccountable and authoritarian hamas government in gaza.
could i ask in the context of the high representative mentioning her condemnation of administrative detention in israel whether she will call for mahmoud al sarsak and other prisoners on prolonged hunger strike to be admitted to civilian hospitals for specialised medical care and whether she will call on israel to release administrative detainees unless they are promptly charged and brought to fair trial?
mr president i would like to congratulate baroness ashton for her part in securing the council conclusions on the middle east peace process of fourteen may because i think they are a good illustration of how strong support for israel's security and close engagement with israel as well of course for the two state solution is entirely consistent with outspoken criticism of illegalities and human rights abuses by israel such as illegal settlement forced transfer of bedouins home demolitions and so on.
i believe that the international community has the obligation to step up and consider all possible measures that can put an end to this horrific power struggle.
what steps is she taking to make israel understand that the gaza blockade is illegal and must be lifted now?
and can she encourage eu member states to follow the lead of the netherlands in negotiating direct trade arrangements with horticultural and agricultural producers in gaza?
it is not universally popular but after president hollande said what he did i think at least showing that contingency planning is going on is the right thing to do.
like many colleagues in this house i also want to express my horror at the killing maiming and torture of young children in the region.
she quite rightly points to the eu humanitarian aid that has been given to syria and i look forward to a time when she comes back to this house and explains to us how it has been administered and how she has monitored its effectiveness.
the fact remains that the fighting goes on in syria and that as most of us have said here today the annan plan has failed.
indeed kofi annan when he is talking about this seems resigned to the fact that his plan has failed.
his monitors seem to rush about going from one atrocity to the next yet baroness ashton has indicated that it is really the only option that is on the table. i would just like her to explain to the house how long she sees this plan having international legitimacy or is it really just a cover for not being able to do anything else?
high representative this is no longer a time for seminars. the right to intervene and the responsibility to protect are part of un doctrine.
ban ki moon can call on nato or others to intervene and on the international criminal court to investigate.
dialogue pressure or sanctions have shown their limits and proved unable to put an end to the unacceptable acts committed in syria.
we all know that only concerted action within the framework of the united nations can lead to a solution in syria.
bashar al assad and his henchmen and women if they survive will have to face international justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes against their people but ominous responsibility also lies with their backers russia and china in particular who continue to sell weapons to the regime and block action in the un security council to stop the bloodshed thus boycotting in practice the annan plan.
the incapacity of the un security council to call for the international community to exercise their responsibility to protect the syrian people is making the bloody conflict become a civil war dramatically impacting a region already plagued by conflict.
lady ashton i fully second your words urging the israeli authorities to stop the illegal settlement activity and move towards genuine peace with palestine. iran saudi arabia and qatar should also be warned by the un security council and certainly by the european union about their interference in instigating the sectarian bloodshed by conducting their own proxy war in syria at the expense of the syrian people. to the brave syrians resisting at home and abroad i can only in all honesty say that they must not wait for international action should guard themselves from being
used by extremists and terrorists and must lose no time in getting united under a platform for national salvation to overthrow the tyrant regime and move towards a new era of democratic conviviality among all ethnic and religious segments of the syrian people.
europe was can and should be a beacon of freedom and this comes with responsibility.