unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The Human rights situation in Afghanistan especially the deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, Afghanistan is not a good place to be a woman. While the Taliban government put in place more restrictions on women’s rights, Western sanctions slowly starve the country to death. We helped to destroy the place for 20 years. Now we have a responsibility to provide shelter to those who are suffering as a result.  The EU response to the Ukraine refugee crisis shows what is possible when the political will is there. What we were aiming to do with this resolution is stress the need for similar protection for Afghan refugees. But the big groups in here weren’t having it. They seem content with the two—tier system we put in place all over Europe for refugees and asylum seekers.  Nowhere is that more obvious than in Ireland, a country long criticised for its cruel Direct Provision system. We have thrown open the doors for Ukrainian refugees while leaving them closed to the rest.  In an interview with  She said it’s sad that they are seen as less than Ukrainians. It’s not just sad, it’s racism – and shame on all the politicians who are perpetrating it!
Debate: The Human rights situation in Afghanistan especially the deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Janez Lenarčič
Language: EN

Women have been excluded from most aspects of economic and social life. Shelters and mechanisms to protect women and girls from violence and forced marriages have been dismantled, severely restricting women’s ability to seek help, despite reports of an increase in gender—based violence. In the past year, Afghanistan has also seen repeated attacks on educational institutions, on students eager to learn, with many of these attacks claimed by ISIS. The terrorist attacks also targeted religious and ethnic minorities, particularly the Hazara community. The European Union condemns all the restrictions on women’s rights and continues to call on the de facto authorities to honour Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, in particular human rights, refugee and international humanitarian law. They have the obligation to protect all the population, to bring perpetrators to justice, and to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of the entire Afghan population. We will continue to support Afghan human rights activists and civil society as we do worldwide as a fundamental principle of the European Union. This support includes raising individual cases of human rights defenders in our engagement with the de facto authorities, issuing statements on specific cases or developments of acute concern, financial support to civil society organisations and continuation of safe—passage operations for those Afghans that are particularly at risk and that want to leave. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is beyond dramatic. The recent United Nations humanitarian needs overview states that in 2023, over 28 million people out of 34 million Afghan population will need humanitarian assistance. Estimations are that the United Nations will therefore call for USD 4.6 billion for next year for humanitarian aid alone. There are alarming levels of poverty and food insecurity and limited access to healthcare, particularly for women and children. The European Union has already mobilised EUR 396 million for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan for 2021 and 2022. And this is more than 10 times of what was initially allocated for the country before the Taliban takeover. Where is this funding going? It is going to many things, including financing programmes on protection, financing community—based education for girls who are deprived of their right to school, financing basic healthcare for women and girls. And we have also recently redirected EUR 450 million of development aid for the basic needs of Afghan people; needs like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation and livelihoods. And also in these fields we have a specific focus on the needs of women and girls. An additional EUR 20 million have been also allocated for crisis response. We shall continue to do our utmost to alleviate this major humanitarian, social, economic and human rights crisis.
Debate: The Human rights situation in Afghanistan especially the deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Dominique Bilde
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Au-delà de l’indignation que suscite cette litanie de persécutions, il faut aussi souligner l’absurdité qu’elles représentent à l’heure où la population afghane crie famine. Car, au travers des femmes, de leur travail et de leur contribution indispensable à leur foyer, ce sont des enfants et des familles entières qui se trouvent réduits à la misère.  Pour nous autres, Occidentaux, il s’agit également de savoir jusqu’à quel point l’impératif humanitaire doit nous conduire à transiger sur nos valeurs fondamentales. Que dire, en effet, lorsque les talibans entravent les femmes œuvrant pour les organisations humanitaires dans l’exercice de leur mission? À l’évidence, dans notre engagement pour la condition féminine dans le monde, il nous appartient de montrer l’exemple.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Roberts Zīle
Language: LV

Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par pieciem rezolūciju priekšlikumiem attiecībā uz pastāvīgajām represijām pret demokrātisko opozīciju un pilsonisko sabiedrību Baltkrievijā ( _______________ * Sk. protokolu.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Country: Spain
Language: EN

In particular, I would like to highlight my brave friend Pavel Seviarynets, who has been held in inhuman conditions for more than two years and has spent more than a decade in and out of Lukashenko’s prisons. Pavel and all the political prisoners and their families, those fleeing Lukashenko’s oppression and all the people of Belarus deserve our unwavering support and solidarity.  I especially call on the European political parties to provide all necessary assistance to their Belarus member parties. At the same time, let us exert maximum pressure on the illegitimate regime so that Belarus can be free and sovereign and its people enjoy freedom and democracy.  Finally, let me thank colleagues for all the cross-party support in this House, for their support of Belarus, which this House continues to show.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

We must do everything possible to ensure that political opponents and civil society activists return to freedom from overcrowded Belarusian prisons. It is they, together with the country society, not Lukashenko’s gang, who will determine the future of Belarus. I invite you to continue to strengthen our joint action to help the people of Belarus to move away from their dictatorial past. We must continue diplomatic and political pressure, as well as strengthen economic sanctions against the Lukashenko regime. Let us be under no illusions, this is a terrorist policy regime just like the one in the Kremlin.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Country: Ireland
Language: DE

Genauso wie die Menschen in der Ukraine sind die Menschen in Belarus wahre Kämpfer. Sie kämpfen seit langem für Freiheit und Demokratie, für eine bessere Zukunft ihrer Kinder, für eine Zukunft frei von Terror und Unterdrückung. Für diese Grundwerte, die auch unseren entsprechen, zahlen sie einen hohen Preis. Zehntausende wurden von Lukaschenkos Schergen verhaftet, inhaftiert und gefoltert. Über 1400 Belarussen – ganz normale Bürgerinnen und Bürger wie du und ich – werden mittlerweile als politische Häftlinge in Kerkern gehalten.  Ähnlich wie die Ukraine ist auch Belarus durch Russland besetzt. Lukaschenko erlaubte Putin den freien Zugriff von seinem Territorium aus auf die Ukraine. Der Verrat durch Lukaschenkos Regime ist etwas, das die Ukrainerinnen und Ukrainer und der Rest der Welt niemals vergessen werden. Die Welt wird niemals hunderte Raketen und Drohnen, abgefeuert aus Belarus, vergessen, die unendlich viele unschuldige Leben in der Ukraine auf dem Gewissen haben. Aber die Welt wird auch die Namen der Toten in Belarus, wie zum Beispiel Raman Bandarenka, Alexander Taraikowski oder auch Vitold Ashurak und viele andere nicht vergessen. Die Geschichte lehrt uns: Früher oder später wird das Regime fallen – entweder vor dem Internationalen Gerichtshof oder am Ende durch das eigene Volk. Lukaschenko wird hier keine Ausnahme sein.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Young journalists in cages during court proceedings, de—routing of Poles and Lithuanians, Russifying very actively Belarusians enabling Putin to wage his war of aggression on Ukraine.  Despite all of this, Belarusian people consolidate in opposing the regime. They build structures. They actively fight together with Ukrainians against illegal aggression. Despite all of this!
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Thijs Reuten
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

Our European Union must give the legitimate representatives of the Belarusian people all the assistance they need. I call on you personally, Mr President, to ensure that our Parliament does the same – building solid relationships with the democratic opposition.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Karin Karlsbro
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: EN

A desperate dictator tries to keep the people in fear. It’s not only the Belarusian people who suffer from Lukashenko’s tyranny. By allowing Russia to use Belarusian territory for attacks against Ukraine, the regime in Minsk continues to enable Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. We cannot let Lukashenko get away with this. He is, together with Putin, responsible for the war crimes in Ukraine and should be held accountable. It is Lukashenko who should be imprisoned while Ales and his 1 449 fellow political prisoners should go free.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

I have the same activist nature. I can’t stand oppression and injustice. If I live one day in dictatorship, I am certain I will end up the same as her, or dead. Maybe then someone will read my name in a room like this. But can it change anything?  I’m trying not to lose hope. With every resolution like this, naming those who suffer under dictators, with every euro we block from the hands of Lukashenko and his sugar daddy, Putin, with support to democrats in an out of Belarus who keep fighting, I believe Kasia will become a great teacher for future generations – maybe with her work, but mainly with her example, attaining freedom. Let’s help her get it!
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Patricia Chagnon
Political group: ID
Country: Italy
Language: FR

L’action politique appelle le réalisme. Ça ne veut pas dire qu’il ne faut pas défendre le droit ou la démocratie. Mais votre logique fait que nos pays décrochent en Afrique, en Asie, même dans des pays amis. Vous ne faites que vous isoler. Et vous faites perdurer un sentiment inapproprié de l’arrogance anachronique de l’Occident.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Ryszard Czarnecki
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: PL

Musimy także dzisiaj głośno stawać w obronie mniejszości narodowych na Białorusi. Tam największą mniejszością są moi rodacy, Polacy, którzy bardzo jednoznacznie opowiedzieli się za wolnością i dlatego dzisiaj są represjonowani. Dlatego dzisiaj siedzą w więzieniach. Nie tylko oni, rzecz jasna. W moim przekonaniu nasz głos musi być donośny. I dobrze, że jest głosem z różnych części naszego Parlamentu. Nie relatywizujmy polityki, która tam ma miejsce. Nie udawajmy, że Łukaszenko nie jest pomocnikiem Putina – bo jest.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Rasa Juknevičienė
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, colleagues, there is the war criminal and usurper Lukashenko, and there are the people of Belarus on the other side. Thousands of them are imprisoned; most of them are silenced in captivity, but it will not always be like this. Belarus will be free because Ukraine will win. That is why the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment is fighting on the Ukrainian front against Russia, and that is why President-elect Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other leaders of the Belarusian people are working actively through diplomatic means. Both war criminals, Putin and Lukashenko, will be convicted in a special tribunal. I believe that in my lifetime, Belarus, a nation with the honourable European history, will become part of the EU family. However, before that, Lukashenko and Putin have to be completely isolated and the EU has to continue to support the democratically elected leaders of Belarus, who are the real representatives of the people of Belarus.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhor Presidente, as detenções arbitrárias, as buscas, a tortura e o tratamento desumano e degradante são uma constante do regime de Lukashenko.  É extenso o rol de opositores, ativistas e manifestantes que integram a lista negra de mais de 1 500 pessoas afastadas dos mais elementares direitos cívicos. Longa é também a lista de órgãos de comunicação social e organizações não governamentais interditadas. A intimidação e a imposição de penas de prisão através de julgamentos politicamente motivados, como nos casos de Mikalay Autukhovich e Palina Panasiuk, entre tantos outros, continuam a ser uma constante para quem tem a coragem de contestar a situação no país.  Apelamos, por isso, mais uma vez, à libertação rápida e incondicional de todos quantos se encontram nestas condições. Mas devemos ir mais longe, necessitamos mesmo de ir mais longe, e, por isso, apelamos ao reforço e à rápida e eficaz implementação de sanções contra Lukashenko e os seus apoiantes. Estas são medidas urgentes que exigimos que sejam implementadas pela União Europeia.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, běloruský režim ukazuje už po řadu let svoji pravou tvář – mučení, zatýkání, věznění, mrtví, novináři, kteří jsou pronásledováni, zničené rodiny. Jde o teror běloruských občanů. Jde o teror, nevyhlášenou válku vlastní společnosti, kterou vede sám prezident Lukašenko. Ten není prezident, nebyl zvolen legitimní cestou, ale tuto nevyhlášenou válku on vede i vůči Ukrajině. A je třeba říci, že nebude žádné místo, nebude žádná zemljanka, kde by se Lukašenko se svými přisluhovači schoval. Budeme vyšetřovat každý zločin, budeme soudit a myslím, že bude i nalezena spravedlnost pro všechny oběti. Živě Bělarus!
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Tomáš Zdechovský
Political group: PPE
Country: Slovenia
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, vážení kolegové, Evropa čelí nájezdu a okolí několika psychopatů. Tím prvním je prezident Putin, tím druhým je prezident Lukašenko. Já myslím, že pro jejich chování není žádná omluva a pro jejich režim není žádná lidská spravedlnost spravedlivá. Já si myslím, že musíme udělat maximum pro to a vyvinout maximální tlak na to, aby jednou se pan prezident Lukašenko zodpovídal ze svých činů nejenom proti opozici, nejenom proti demokracii, nejenom proti řádně zvoleným představitelům, ale i proti tomu, co udělal a dělá systematicky proti Ukrajině. On je součástí toho, co Rusko páchá na Ukrajině. On je největší podporovatel Vladimira Putina. On je stejný zločinec jako Vladimir Putin. Sláva Ukrajině, sláva běloruské opozici!
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, in recent months, we’ve seen the arrest and imprisonment of trade union representatives in Belarus. Most recently, the Vice—President of the Belarusian Independent Labour Union was sentenced to 30 months in prison. And protests and strikes led by working—class people have highlighted the level of discontent with the Lukashenko government. As a former trade unionist, I absolutely support the struggles of workers everywhere. But I think it’s interesting we have a second plenary in a row where we’re discussing the repression of the opposition in Belarus, and we’ve never once mentioned the repression of the opposition in Ukraine, the banning of opposition parties, the kill—lists of dissidents, the banning of trade unions, the decimation of workers’ rights in that state. And the European Union has to stop looking at protests in countries we don’t like as an opportunity to have a go at them. The Belarus protests are not guided by neoliberal—inspired policies of the West. They have a right to have their protests without Western interference. If you’re interested in workers’ rights and democratic rights, stand by the workers who are being persecuted inside the European Union.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, we don’t interfere with you when you’re talking nonsense. Thanks very much, Mr President. Like most countries, Belarus has a lot of problems, and if I was living in Belarus, I’m sure I’d want rid of Lukashenko too. The treatment of workers and the imprisonment of political prisoners is really sad to see. I would call on Lukashenko to release all political prisoners. However, for the life of me, I don’t actually understand how you think that interfering in the place is actually going to help. Can you name one country that you’ve interfered in in the last 50 years where you have helped? All across Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. European countries are pumping arms into Yemen now to help in the Saudi genocide. If you think that Ukraine is going to be a better place after supporting this US-NATO proxy war, with as much money as you can muster, God help us.
Debate: The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Janez Lenarčič
Language: EN

Unfortunately, this repression continues to intensify. There are now more than 1450 political prisoners – a number that increases by the day and that includes Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ales Bialiatski. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since August 2020, almost 40 000 people have been temporarily arrested, including some 500 journalists, of whom 33 remain in prison.  Political opponents have been sentenced to long prison terms, up to 18 years, and the opposition in exile is criminalised and would face draconian sentences if they were to return to Belarus. Recent amendments to the Criminal Code, which can be used retroactively, open the possibility of the use of the death penalty to punish ‘attempted acts of terrorism’. Most political activists are potentially affected by these amendments. The EU has led three successful resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council to report on the situation in Belarus and establish a robust accountability mechanism under the High Commissioner for Human Rights. We support, both politically and financially, the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, which collects evidence of the crimes with a view to holding the perpetrators accountable. The EU has clearly declared that the Lukashenko regime lacks any democratic legitimacy, and the EU strongly supports the demand for free and fair elections. In this context, we continue to support the democratic forces and we strongly encourage them to remain united. We will continue to provide strong support to the civil society and to the people of Belarus, as we have already done with over EUR 100 million in direct support. Also, as you know, the EU has already imposed six rounds of sanctions against the Belarus regime, and work is currently ongoing to adopt more sanctions in the context of human rights violations, for instance, against judges and prosecutors. In the event of further Belarusian involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, further areas will be identified. We also regularly engage with the main leader of the Belarussian opposition, Ms Tsikhanouskaya. She has been received by the EU at the highest levels, including by President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and by President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Most recently, she also had an informal meeting with all EU foreign ministers ahead of the November Foreign Affairs Council. To conclude, our engagement remains strong. We will continue to support the legitimate quest of Belarussian people for the rule of law, for free and fair elections, and for independence.
Debate: Forced displacement of people as a result of escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Roberts Zīle
Language: LV

Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par pieciem rezolūciju priekšlikumiem attiecībā uz iedzīvotāju piespiedu pārvietošanu saistībā ar konflikta saasināšanos Kongo Demokrātiskās Republikas (KDR) austrumu daļā ( _______________ * Sk. protokolu.
Debate: Forced displacement of people as a result of escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Hannes Heide
Country: Slovakia
Language: DE

Die Gewalt ist kein Zufall – ist doch die Region im östlichen Kongo reich an Bodenschätzen. Die bewaffneten Gruppen finanzieren sich auch durch illegalen Handel mit Mineralien, die für die Rüstungsindustrie bedeutend sind. Die Nachbarländer, besonders die Regierung von Ruanda, sind aufgefordert, den illegalen Mineralhandel durch ihre Länder zu stoppen, jedwede Finanzierung von Rebellengruppen zu beenden. Die Europäische Kommission muss mit der EU-Strategie für die afrikanischen Großen Seen klare Botschaften aussenden und den von den katastrophalen Umständen betroffenen Menschen in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo humanitäre Hilfe zukommen lassen.
Debate: Forced displacement of people as a result of escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022
Speaker: Abir Al-Sahlani
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

On 20 October, over 180 000 Congolese were forced to be displaced, adding up now to nearly 6 million internally displaced Congolese. This madness has to stop. I call upon you, colleagues, I call upon the Commission and the Council, to keep pushing for peacebuilding in Congo.  But there cannot be peace without justice. That’s why I promise tonight that these men, these landlords who are raping are going to be brought to justice. Mark my words: you’re all going to be punished.