unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu’s case is yet another example of this disturbing trend, but it is also a reminder that we must act. The EU leaders must speak up about this ongoing situation and finally demand Azerbaijan, our partner based on various memorandums and proclamations, to stop the crackdown and release those unjustly detained and imprisoned.
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Maximilian Krah
Political group: ID
Country: Greece
Language: DE

Das Problem, was ich mit dem hiesigen Fall habe, ist aber, dass ich nicht gefunden habe und keinen Beweis von Ihnen gehört habe, dass die Anschuldigungen falsch sind. Es ist ein laufendes Verfahren, und die Frage ist: Glauben wir, dass immer dann, wenn es einen Regimekritiker – und das ist er – erwischt, kriminelle Anschuldigungen per se falsch sind? Wer muss denn beweisen, dass die Anschuldigungen richtig und falsch sind? Das Risiko der Menschenrechtsintervention besteht deshalb immer darin, dass wir uns zum Richter aufspielen in Fällen, in denen uns das Fachwissen und das Sachwissen über den Fall selbst fehlt, und dass wir das, was wir gut meinen, in Wahrheit schlecht umsetzen. Nämlich dass wir uns zu kolonialen Besserwissern aufspielen, die anderen Ländern des globalen Südens erklären, wie sie ihre Justiz zu führen haben. Dazu stehe ich nicht bereit. Nicht, weil ich Herrn Dr. İbadoğlu
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the illegal detention of Dr Ibadoghlu is yet another example of the continuous crackdown on the rule of law and the violation of human rights perpetrated by the authorities in Baku, both domestically and at the regional level. Inside the country no dissident is allowed. According to Human Rights Watch, in 2022 more than 30 people remained wrongfully imprisoned. NGOs are prevented from working independently and systemic torture and ill treatment in custody, as well as restrictions on media freedoms, are the alarming normality. What is happening at the regional level is in front of our eyes. The hateful blockade of the Lachin corridor seriously jeopardised the lives of 120 000 ethnic Armenians, and the recent self-proclaimed willingness to reopen the corridor is nothing more than another attempt to absorb the region completely with the risk of a full-scale ethnic cleansing. Dear colleagues, I have recently prepared a written question on the case of Dr Ibadoghlu and a letter on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have to show that the brutal behaviour of the Baku regime will not be tolerated. We have to show that this Parliament must stand firmly in support of the Azeri civil society and in asking for the release of all the political prisoners. The smell of gas and oil shall not cover the scent of freedom.
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Michaela Šojdrová
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Madam Chair, Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, we are speaking about a known concrete case. Our previous colleague said that he is not aware about this concrete case, but we are aware, because the imprisonment of the Mr Gubad Ibadoghlu is just another illustration of the systematic oppression and intimidation by the government in Azerbaijan. Various independent organisations list more than 200 political prisoners in Azerbaijan.  This concrete case highlights a deterioration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country. Therefore, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Gubad Ibadoghlu, arrested on fabricated charges. The Azerbaijani authorities must release all political prisoners, journalists and human rights defenders.  In recent weeks we have witnessed meetings between Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. In light of engagements such as this we call on the Vice-President / High Representative, the European External Action Service and the Member States to raise cases such as these in all bilateral negotiations for a future partnership agreement.
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, Senhora Comissária, no Azerbaijão não há espaço para veleidades em matéria de crítica política ou de denúncia da corrupção instalada ao nível mais profundo das estruturas do Estado pelo regime cleptocrático da família de Aliyev e seus companheiros. Gubad Ibadoghlu, professor economista, junta-se agora a outros ativistas, jornalistas, membros da oposição e representantes da sociedade civil, na longa lista de vítimas de detenções arbitrárias, politicamente condicionadas e em condições absolutamente desumanas.  Não podemos compactuar com esta situação. Não podemos considerar um regime que viola constantemente as liberdades básicas do seu povo e põe em risco a população arménia no Nagorno-Karabakh, como acontece agora com o encerramento do corredor de Lachin, como um parceiro confiável, como foi considerado recentemente pela Senhora von der Leyen.  É nossa obrigação exigir a rápida recondução deste país aos mais elementares princípios inscritos na Ata final de Helsínquia, da qual é signatário. E que proceda rapidamente, e sem qualquer tipo de condições, à libertação de todos os presos políticos. Sem isso, não pode haver qualquer acordo de cooperação. Não podemos trair os nossos valores.
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: François Alfonsi
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, cette résolution dénonce l’emprisonnement et les conditions d’incarcération du docteur Gubad Ibadoghlu, opposant de M. Aliyev, le dictateur qui dirige l’Azerbaïdjan. Le cas de cette personnalité reconnue dans son pays pour ses combats pour la démocratie et les droits de l’homme illustre la situation démocratique exécrable qui règne en Azerbaïdjan. Avec lui, des dizaines de prisonniers politiques subissent l’arbitraire. Ils sont journalistes indépendants, défenseurs des droits de l’homme, opposants politiques, etc. L’Azerbaïdjan est une dictature et nous devons la dénoncer avec beaucoup plus de fermeté que ce qui a été fait jusqu’ici. La Commission a même, au contraire, fait l’éloge d’un partenaire fiable. C’est d’autant plus inacceptable que le régime de Monsieur Aliyev est en train de menacer d’épuration ethnique toute une population arménienne qui vit au Haut-Karabakh et qui est réduite à la famine par le blocus du corridor de Latchine par l’armée azérie depuis bientôt un an.  Nous voterons cette résolution et nous appelons le Parlement à prendre conscience du danger que représente une telle dictature à Bakou pour son peuple, pour les minorités, pour les Arméniens de l’Artsakh et pour la paix dans cette partie du monde.
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Paní předsedající, já jsem původně vystupovat nechtěl k tomuto bodu, nicméně mě k tomu přimělo poměrně skandální vystoupení zástupce skupiny ID, které já považuji za nepřijatelné relativizování toho, co se skutečně v Ázerbájdžánu děje a jakým způsobem představitelé státní moci nakládají s panem profesorem Ibadoghluou.  Já považuji toto vystoupení za nepřijatelné a myslím, že bychom ho měli všichni odsoudit. Pan kolega ze skupiny ID si to tzv. užil, protože jsme nemohli na jeho vystoupení reagovat, a já reaguji proto, abych zvedl hlas za nás všechny ostatní, kteří nejsme spokojeni s tím, jak zástupci této frakce přistupují k takto závažným otázkám. Porušování lidských práv je setrvalé v Ázerbájdžánu a věnujeme se mu již poněkolikáté. Je skutečně nepřijatelné, aby tímto způsobem bylo relativizováno ze strany zástupců této politické frakce, a myslím si, že by bylo dobré, kdyby se za jeho vystoupení omluvili.  Ázerbájdžán je vázán lidskými právy, je vázán mezinárodními smlouvami, které podepsal, a ty se týkají i nespravedlivě vězněného pana profesora Ibadoghlua a situace Náhorního Karabachu, o tom bychom mohli mluvit ještě další hodiny, jak se tam porušují lidská práva.
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Elisa Ferreira
Language: EN

The EU is following closely the case of Azerbaijani scholar and civil activist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, who was kept and has been kept on pre-trial detention based on dubious charges since 23 July. He has a serious underlying health condition, and we are concerned about the reported deterioration of his health during his detention. We have raised the case of Dr Ibadoghlu with the Azerbaijani authorities, asking for his immediate release and the necessary medical attention it requires. We are in close contact with his family and international partners in order to support efforts towards his release. Honourable Members, the European Union takes seriously the reports of increasingly narrowing space for activists and civil society in Azerbaijan. We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to adhere to their human rights obligations and their own commitments. Human rights and respect of the rule of law are at the core of our relations with Azerbaijan, as jointly agreed in the European Union-Azerbaijan partnership priorities of 2018 and extended until 2024. The European Union firmly believes that the rule of law, human rights and democratic institutions are the basis of an independent, stable and prosperous country and a precondition for a constructive business environment. The European Union will continue raising the human rights situation in all our contacts with Azerbaijan to ensure that both activists – Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev – are released and that the situation improves on the ground.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Ivan Štefanec
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Dear colleagues, current situation there resulted in the reduction of trust of citizens in democracy and less respect and partnership on the international level. The Government of Bangladesh should restore a safe environment for NGOs, human rights defenders, activists, religious minorities and uphold the country’s international commitments, notably under the ICCPR. Particularly the Odhikar case is a regrettable step backwards. Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan, two leaders of Odhikar, have been faced for more than 10 years with various legal cases against them. Government should investigate allegations of forced disappearances with permission to international observers to attend court hearings. All of this can be achieved only when the ruling government will initiate a dialogue with all major political parties to find out a sustainable and democratic solution to the ongoing crisis. Basis of these equal conditions should be represented as well by guarantee access to the best possible medical treatment for the former prime minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia. Especially in the light of the upcoming 12 general elections in the country in the beginning of 2024 you must bear in mind that the right of the people to choose their representatives is yet to be determined, as no mechanism is in place for acceptable elections. This is a problem as riggings, manipulations and non-attendance of the voters marred the 10th and also the 11th parliamentary elections. Independent internal and international observations mission from EU, UN and other institutions should be ready to help achieving this goal. Dear colleagues, we believe that EU has strong reasons to stand with the people of Bangladesh as the country is our long-time partner in the trade and development cooperation. Therefore, I consider this resolution as an important call for improvement in the above-mentioned areas. Thank you very much for supporting this resolution, thank you for defending human rights and democracy, and thank you for supporting people in Bangladesh.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Carina Ohlsson
Language: SV

Det är en djupt oroande utveckling, som EU måste markera mot. Myndigheterna i Bangladesh måste omedelbart upphöra med kriminaliseringen och förföljelsen av civilsamhällets organisationer som strider för mänskliga rättigheter, såsom Odhikar. Det går inte att bortse från de systematiska trakasserierna av medlemmar av Odhikar, och att fabricerade brottsanklagelser används mot ledande individer i organisationen.  Odhikar har i själva verket kriminaliserats av landets myndigheter, då deras tillstånd att bedriva verksamhet i landet inte har förnyats. Tio år efter att Odhikar publicerade en rapport om utomrättsliga avrättningar i landet fortsätter organisationens sekreterare, Adilur Rahman Khan, och direktör, Nasiruddin Elan, att utsättas för trakasserier i en juridisk fars. Ett rättsligt utslag väntas under morgondagen där de riskerar upp till tio års fängelse.  Samtidigt är jag förfärad över det brutala mordet på fackföreningsledaren Shahidul Islam i juni i år. I samband med att han försökte bistå textilarbetare med att få en utebliven lön blev han brutalt slagen till döds. Det är både omänskligt och skamlöst.  Bangladesh regering är ensam ansvarig för att säkerställa rättssäkerhet och trygghet för civilsamhällets organisationer, försvarare av mänskliga rättigheter, fackföreningsmedlemmar och religiösa minoriteter.  Bangladesh måste leva upp till sina internationella åtaganden, särskilt FN:s konvention om medborgerliga och politiska rättigheter. Bangladesh regering behöver samarbeta med FN för att undersöka förekomsten av tvångsförsvinnanden, samtidigt som internationella observatörer måste ges tillträde till domstolsöverläggningar. Jag vill uppmana Bangladesh regering att villkorslöst lägga ner alla anklagelser mot Odhikars representanter, att återställa dess registrering och säkerställa utländska bidrag till civilsamhällets organisationer.  Jag vill uppmana utrikestjänsten, dess delegation och medlemsstaternas beskickningar att ihärdigt lyfta frågan om mänskliga rättigheter på högsta politiska nivå. Stödet måste öka till försvarare av mänskliga rättigheter. EU:s förmånliga handelsavtal med Bangladesh bör kunna påverkas negativt framöver om inte situationen för de mänskliga rättigheterna avsevärt förbättras.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Katalin Cseh
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

But unfortunately, the global rise of authoritarianism did not avoid Bangladesh, and there is a very much worrying tendency of crackdowns on human rights and political opposition: disappearances, incarcerations, extrajudicial killings and curbing freedom of expression show a real erosion of Bangladeshi democracy.  The ongoing harassment of the country’s most prominent human rights NGO, Odhikar, and the flawed court case against its leaders, crosses a line that we cannot ignore.  Our resolution stands by the fundamental rights of the people of Bangladesh. It urges the government to return to the democratic path, and for the ridiculous charges to be dropped.  I would also like to remind Mr Borrell to show some resolve and stick to binding agreements when representing European interests abroad. Otherwise, how would we expect any country to take the European Union seriously.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Heidi Hautala
Country: Poland
Language: EN

So the case of Odhikar is very emblematic in our relations. We do have evolution and progress on our labour law cooperation since many years, but we can only regret that the political rights and the rights of the opposition have deteriorated a lot, and this is something that we cannot ignore.  So we expect that Odhikar will be acquitted, the leaders will be acquitted of these prison sentences, because there is no grounds for those and this legal harassment that has been going on over a decade already.  And we want to remind the government of Bangladesh that we have an enhanced engagement process in the framework of the ‘Everything but Arms’ benefit programme, which is important for us – it’s important for Bangladesh – and we cannot guarantee that there would be no consequences of the sentencing of Odhikar to our trade relationship with Bangladesh. So we need to give all our support to the civil society and expect that the government will respect their rights.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Důrazně odsuzujeme zabití Shahidula Islama, ke kterému došlo v červnu letošního roku. Požadujeme transparentní vyšetření této popravy, k níž došlo. Také důrazně odsuzujeme a považujeme za nepřijatelné pronásledování členů organizace Odhikar.  Bangladéš, ale také obchodní korporace, které tam působí, musí posílit pracovní práva pracovníků a také dodržovat základní standardy pracovního práva. Já vím, že Bangladéš je naším obchodním partnerem. To ovšem neznamená, že budeme mlčet v případě, kdy vycházejí najevo takto nepřijatelná jednání. Je naší povinností vznést náš hlas, a zároveň zítra, doufám, schválit navrženou rezoluci.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Svenja Hahn
Political group: Renew
Country: Finland
Language: EN

It is this serious violation of international conventions that has led to the EU and Bangladesh being in an enhanced engagement on the current trade preferences. The minimum criteria for preferential access to the single market is meeting international human rights standards. Therefore, we must see Bangladesh comply with ILO core standards and they must guarantee free and fair elections in 2024.  The human rights commitments in order to gain EU trade preferences are not just a checkbox to cross off once. I expect the Commission to work closely with Bangladesh to live up to their current human rights obligation, and in order to meet further commitments under the soon-to-be-revised GSP scheme, because if the human rights situation does not improve, we must draw the conclusions also on the trade side.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Maximilian Krah
Political group: ID
Country: Greece
Language: DE

Aber das Entscheidende ist doch: Ich wundere mich über diese einhellige Verurteilung Bangladeschs. Ich bin der Berichterstatter im INTA-Ausschuss für Bangladesch, und ich kenne die Berichte von der Internationalen Arbeitsorganisation, von all den internationalen Organisationen, die die Wirtschaftsbedingungen in Bangladesch überwachen. Und da lese ich von beständigen Fortschritten in Bangladesch. Bangladesch ist ein Land, das eine bemerkenswerte Entwicklung in den letzten Jahrzehnten hingelegt hat. Und wenn wir dann den Entschließungsentwurf uns anschauen, wenn wir diese Sprache, die von oben herab ein Entwicklungsland, das etwas geschaffen hat, maßregelt, sehen, dann ist das nichts anderes als offener, unsympathischer Neokolonialismus, wo wir meinen, als Europäer mal so eben locker ein Entwicklungsland abkanzeln zu können und belehren zu können. Nehmen Sie doch eins zur Kenntnis: Die Zeiten, wo man uns das durchgehen lässt, die sind vorbei. Gott sei Dank.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Hervé Juvin
Political group: NI
Country: Austria
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, c’est une chose grave pour une assemblée comme la nôtre que de mettre en cause le système judiciaire d’un pays souverain et de mettre en cause sa liberté de se gouverner lui-même. Je ne vous rappellerai pas l’histoire compliquée du Bangladesh: les crimes contre l’humanité qui ont marqué sa guerre d’indépendance, les remarquables progrès aujourd’hui en matière de croissance et de développement, notamment la formation des jeunes, qui en font l’un des pays moteurs du Sud-Est asiatique. Je ne vous évoquerai pas non plus la générosité du Bangladesh dans l’accueil de centaines de milliers de réfugiés rohingyas de la toute proche Birmanie. Je voudrais simplement souligner qu’en encourageant des ingérences extérieures, en nous immisçant dans le fonctionnement d’institutions, certes à perfectionner, mais qui dans la région restent marquées par un fonctionnement démocratique sur lequel nous devons être prudents, nous pouvons obtenir le résultat inverse de ce que nous poursuivons. Consolider les institutions, consolider la légitimité et la souveraineté du Bangladesh doit être notre objectif. Attention aux ingérences, attention aux manipulations dont nous pouvons être les objets.
Debate: Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Elisa Ferreira
Language: EN

But the European Union is also aware of the narrowing political and civic space in Bangladesh. The stifling of freedom of expression and the obstacles presented to political and civil society leaders, such as the leadership of the human rights organisation Odhikar. The European Union remains concerned over the reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. The European Union joins the United Nations’ calls for an independent mechanism to investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Bangladesh should also allow a visit by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances. Elections in Bangladesh are due by January 2024. The European Union encourages all stakeholders to work towards an inclusive election process, which should be credible, transparent and peaceful and allow voters to freely cast their votes. The European Union encourages stakeholders – including institutions, political parties and civil society – to work together to build confidence in the electoral process. It is crucial to safeguard key freedoms, such as the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Freedom of expression is key to creating a culture of accountability, to creating a society where no one is afraid to denounce cruelty and corruption. Bangladesh is finding its place on the world stage, taking the lead on issues such as climate change and development. At the start of the year, Bangladesh joined the United Nations Human Rights Council, securing 160 votes – the largest share of the Asian candidate countries. But with the membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council comes a responsibility to uphold high human rights standards. The upcoming Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh in November 2023 will be an important occasion to show progress in addressing the human rights issues mentioned here. Thank you, also on behalf of High Representative Vice President Josep Borrell.
Debate: Regulation of prostitution in the EU: its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Roberts Zīle
Language: LV

Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par Maria Noichl ziņojumu Sieviešu tiesību un dzimumu līdztiesības komitejas vārdā par prostitūcijas reglamentēšanu ES: tās pārrobežu sekas un ietekme uz dzimumu līdztiesību un sieviešu tiesībām (