unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Tom Vandenkendelaere
Country: Austria
Language: NL

Het proces doorstaat op geen enkele manier de toetsing aan de internationale rechtsnormen, en de straf die uitgesproken werd, maakt het onrecht alleen maar groter.  Alleen al de manier waarop Rusesabagina werd gearresteerd, zou eigenlijk een felle en heel principiële reactie van de Unie rechtvaardigen.  De stilte van vele lidstaten én van de EDEO vallen op in dit dossier.  De Amerikanen en de Britten spraken gelukkig wél een veroordeling uit van de manier waarop Rusesabagina behandeld werd en wordt.  Al is het – inderdaad – een politiek delicaat dossier, dan nog zijn wij het aan onszelf verplicht om op te komen voor de waarden die wij zo graag zeggen te koesteren, en voor de bescherming van onze eigen burgers – Rusesabagina is een Europese burger!    Het verdient alle steun dat de Unie in de wereld opkomt voor de bevordering en het vrijwaren van waarden waarvan wij overtuigd zijn dat zij een universeel karakter hebben. Het exporteren van democratie, de rechtsstaat, mensenrechten en fundamentele vrijheden is een basiselement van ons buitenlands en veiligheidsbeleid. Ook principes zoals de scheiding der machten en de onafhankelijkheid van de rechterlijke macht zijn hier aan de orde, net zo goed als garanties voor politiek pluralisme en kritische oppositie.       Ik roep daarom alle beleidsverantwoordelijken van de Unie op om alles in het werk te stellen voor de vrijlating van Rusesabagina. Rwanda hecht heel veel belang aan goede relaties met de Unie en haar lidstaten, en ik kan mij dus niet inbeelden dat Kigali niet te bewegen is tot redelijkheid in dit bedenkelijke dossier. De Unie, van haar kant, hecht veel belang aan de vermelde waarden, en ik kan mij dus ook niet inbeelden dat wij daar in onze relaties met Rwanda minder om zouden geven.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Kathleen Van Brempt
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Well colleagues, today we stand here again because he didn’t receive that fair trial. This was confirmed by the Belgian Foreign Ministry, the US State Department and numerous organisations that monitored this trial. Paul Rusesabagina was forced to make confessions under torture and isolation without the presence of a lawyer, and he only received access to his court documents three days before the start of the trial, a document of more than 3 000 pages. His lawyers and family were intimidated and his co—defendants were put under pressure to testify against him. Key witnesses were not cross-examined or put under oath, even though they gave conflicting statements. Therefore, we, the European Parliament, ask for the humanitarian release and repatriation of Paul Rusesabagina. The prison sentence of more than 25 years
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Colleagues, it really saddens me today that we’re standing here again, because what we feared became reality: a process indeed took place, but not a due process. And yet Paul was sentenced to 25 years in prison. So today, colleagues, another strong resolution is on the table, and I really want to thank – they are almost all Belgians, I must say – Tom and Kathleen and Marie Arena and everybody, and Assita, who helped to push forward this resolution. Another strong resolution is on the table. A resolution that condemns the violations of his right to due process. And actually, colleagues, it has one – one, Commissioner – one clear message to the Rwandan authorities: Paul Rusesabagina is ill. Release him on humanitarian grounds and let him be repatriated. Without us saying whether he is guilty or innocent. Dear colleagues, I really hope that we will adopt this resolution today with a broad majority, as we did last time, so that we can send a united, very strong message to Rwanda, which will be heard there.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Jordi Solé
Country: Bulgaria
Language: FR

Les victimes d’attaques armées méritent justice. Les auteurs doivent répondre de leurs actes dans le cadre d’un procès équitable; mais le procès contre M. Rusesabagina a été politiquement motivé, dans un contexte de persécution d’opposants politiques, d’activistes et de journalistes, y compris avec l’utilisation du tristement célèbre logiciel espion Pegasus, et dans un pays où le respect des droits de l’homme, la liberté d’expression, la démocratie, l’état de droit et la séparation des pouvoirs sont loin d’être acquis. Dans ce contexte, la réticence de l’Union européenne à dénoncer publiquement les violations des droits de l’homme au Rwanda est une erreur. Les progrès socio-économiques que le pays a indubitablement connus ces dernières années ne peuvent pas être une excuse pour ne pas appliquer toutes les mesures fournies par les accords de Cotonou, et bientôt par les accords post-Cotonou, en ce qui concerne les droits de l’homme. L’Union européenne et le Rwanda devraient intensifier leur dialogue pour que l’opposition et les voix dissidentes puissent être équitablement entendues et représentées. La Commission doit s’assurer que le soutien de l’Union européenne au gouvernement rwandais est lié à la pleine promotion des droits de l’homme. Compte tenu de l’absence de garanties d’un procès équitable et compte tenu de son mauvais état de santé, nous exigeons pour des raisons humanitaires la libération immédiate de M. Rusesabagina.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Assita Kanko
Country: France
Language: NL

Rwanda heeft België niet toegestaan om ten volle de consulaire bijstand van Paul Rusesabagina te verlenen. Het is spijtig dat België zich hier veel te snel bij heeft neergelegd. De onregelmatigheden voor en tijdens zijn proces versterken de indruk van een politiek gemotiveerde rechtszaak met miskenning van het Rwandese en internationale recht. Hij heeft geen eerlijk en billijk proces gekregen, in het bijzonder wat betreft de rechten van de verdediging. Het is ook echt absurd dat er geen verder onderzoek is verricht naar de bizarre omstandigheden van zijn arrestatie.  Rwanda zal in deze postprocesperiode beter moeten samenwerken met België, waarvan de heer Rusesabagina de nationaliteit bezit. Omwille van humanitaire redenen, met name zijn frêle gezondheid, wordt hij beter gerepatrieerd naar België of de VS, waar hij een permanent verblijfsrecht heeft. Dit staat niet in de weg dat er eventueel nog een vervolgonderzoek en rechtsgang kunnen plaatsvinden.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Marisa Matias
Country: Austria
Language: PT

Paul Rusesabagina foi sentenciado a 25 anos de prisão na sequência de uma detenção arbitrária e de uma transferência ilegal para o Ruanda. Independentemente da sua culpa ou da sua inocência – não nos cabe a nós fazer esse julgamento –, é preciso garantir que o julgamento seja independente e justo, como aliás já pedimos antes. É preciso também que, na sequência da sua detenção ilegal, seja libertado imediatamente com base em fundamentos de natureza humanitária. Apelamos ainda para que a sua integridade física e bem-estar psicológico sejam garantidos em todos os momentos, assim como tem de ser garantido o acesso à medicação, que tanto necessita.  As autoridades europeias, a delegação da União Europeia, têm, por isso, o dever de pressionar as autoridades ruandesas para que a justiça seja garantida e para que a segurança de Paul Rusesabagina não volte a ser posta em causa.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Dominique Bilde
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Point n’est besoin en effet de revenir sur le détail de l’affaire pour contester le caractère disproportionné de la peine infligée au héros d’Hotel Rwanda. On aurait d’ailleurs pu attendre que sa bravoure lors du génocide de 1994 – lorsque, en sa qualité de directeur adjoint de l’hôtel des Mille Collines, il aurait sauvé plus de 1 000 personnes du carnage – ait été davantage prise en compte. Cet épilogue judiciaire s’inscrit du reste dans un contexte particulièrement rude pour l’opposition. Que l’on songe aux disparitions non élucidées de certaines personnalités du monde politique ou culturel, ou encore aux allégations relatives à une surveillance massive des communications électroniques. Ces accusations se doublent de soupçons de pressions que le pays exercerait sur les diasporas, présentes notamment en Europe. Sur ce dernier point, l’Union européenne, les États membres et la communauté internationale doivent exiger une transparence totale.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Seán Kelly
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

The trial and recent sentencing of Rwanda critic and political opponent Paul Rusesabagina is emblematic of the government’s manipulation of the justice system and verifies that the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front continues to target those perceived as a threat to the government. Paul Rusesabagina has been a vocal critic of the President of Rwanda, an action not unlike a death sentence for politicians or opposition candidates. I call for increased dialogue with Rwanda to put greater emphasis on respect for human rights and the rule of law. The Rwandan government must honour its obligations under the Cotonou Agreement, which specifies that respect for human rights is an essential element of EU-ACP cooperation. Rusesabagina has always denied any involvement in the attacks for which he’s been tried, and his trial has been riddled with irregularities and evidence of political interference. Every person accused of a crime should have their guilt or innocence determined by a fair and effective legal process. In the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, the world undertook never to turn aside again as similar crimes against humanity transpired. We must honour this commitment. We must continue to fight for fairness for Paul Rusesabagina.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Carlos Zorrinho
Political group: S-D
Language: PT

Cidadão belga e com residência nos Estados Unidos, foi detido na chegada ao Ruanda numa viagem em 2020. Desde então, assistimos a uma série de atropelos ao Estado de Direito e ao sistema judicial do país, a par de um claro desrespeito pelos direitos do detido. Este processo tem sido criticado pela comunidade internacional como uma forma de silenciar a dissidência política e a oposição ao poder instalado. Não podemos compactuar com esta atuação do governo do Ruanda.  Apelo a que seja garantida a separação de poderes, que a oposição política e o direito de opinião sejam plenamente respeitados e que sejam assegurados ao cidadão Paul Rusesabagina todos os direitos inerentes à sua condição: o direito de aceder à sua medicação, o direito de preparar a sua defesa com todos os meios humanos e materiais à disposição e sobretudo, neste momento, o direito a um recurso justo e isento.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Ryszard Czarnecki
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: PL

To historia smutna, ale także historia relacji między nami, Unią Europejską, a Rwandą. Byłem w Rwandzie, oglądałem tam poruszające muzeum ludobójstwa w stolicy, w Kigali, i myślę, że zarówno my, narody europejskie, powinniśmy wyciągnąć wnioski z tego, co jest w tym muzeum, ale także gospodarze powinni respektować prawa człowieka, zwłaszcza że wspieramy ten kraj w wymiarze gospodarczym i humanitarnym.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Maria Arena
Political group: S-D
Country: Belgium
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, conditions d’arrestation qui relèvent de l’enlèvement, non-accès à un avocat de son choix, documents confidentiels juridiques confisqués, présomption d’innocence balayée par le président Kagamé: nous pouvons tous être d’accord, Paul Rusesabagina, citoyen européen, n’a pas eu droit à un procès équitable, qui a abouti une condamnation à 25 ans de prison, et cela, contrairement à ce que les autorités rwandaises affirment. Nous demandons donc sa libération immédiate et son rapatriement pour raisons humanitaires. Ceci est aussi la preuve qu’il existe aujourd’hui au Rwanda une dérive qui tend à réduire au silence toute critique à l’égard du régime. Nous rappelons donc aux autorités rwandaises ses engagements internationaux en matière de respect des droits fondamentaux. L’accès à la justice, la démocratie, la liberté d’expression et le pluripartisme font partie de ces engagements. Nous demandons au Service d’action extérieure de rappeler au Rwanda ces engagements.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Andrea Cozzolino
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, chi chiamerebbe terrorista un uomo che ha salvato all'incirca 1 200 persone durante un genocidio? Eppure è così, è quello che hanno fatto la Corte e il governo del Ruanda, dove la democrazia viene imbavagliata da anni e le voci che sollevano critiche vengono trasformate in gridi di torture all'interno delle carceri. Ci troviamo di fronte a un prigioniero politico, una condanna che sa di morte per un uomo di 67 anni sopravvissuto al cancro. È per questo che oggi condanniamo con forza l'arresto e la detenzione del signor Rusesabagina. Chiediamo il suo immediato rilascio e il suo rimpatrio in Belgio, paese di cui è cittadino e dunque cittadino europeo. Denunciamo le azioni lesive dei diritti umani e delle libertà individuali intraprese dalle autorità del Ruanda. Invitiamo e sollecitiamo l'Alto rappresentante e Vicepresidente a preparare una lista di persone e di entità responsabili per la violazione dei diritti umani in Ruanda, in linea con il regime globale di sanzioni per i diritti umani dell'Unione europea. Bisogna dare un segnale chiaro e potente: il presidente del Ruanda non può e non deve continuare a reprimere i suoi oppositori con la detenzione e la tortura.
Debate: The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Stella Kyriakides
Language: EN

The EU will continue to engage with the Rwandese authorities on the promotion of governance, civil society and human rights. We will continue to advocate for the full implementation of all human rights obligations, as well as of the Universal Periodic Report’s recommendations. On the case of Paul Rusesabagina, the EEAS and the EU delegation in Kigali have consistently and repeatedly, including recently, made the Rwandan authorities aware of our expectation that the right of Mr Rusesabagina and co-accused to due process and fair trial be fully respected. The competent Belgian authorities have had regular consular access to Mr Rusesabagina and have kept us informed. We have monitored the trial, both in the courtroom and online, and as such, we have taken note of the verdict condemning Mr Rusesabagina to 25 years in prison on terrorism—related charges. We have also taken note of the verdict against his co-accused. We understand that Mr Rusesabagina has the right to appeal the verdict. We are aware of the reports that Mr Rusesabagina did not receive a fair trial with regard to the right of defence. We are aware of concerns about due process, his access to lawyers, legal documents and time for preparation. However, we note that the authorities remedied many of the issues after they had been raised with them. Beyond the procedural concerns, which clearly merit to be expressed, we should not lose sight of the serious allegations against the accused – the body of evidence presented by the prosecution, much of which was provided through cooperation with Member States’ prosecution authorities. Dear Members, you can rest assured that we will continue to closely follow his particular case, and we will continue to engage with the Rwandan government on human rights issues, as you see we do with all our partner countries around the world.
Debate: The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Heléne Fritzon
Country: Austria
Language: SV

Tänk dig att du är 30 år. Du är gift, har barn och blir gravid. Du vill inte fullfölja denna graviditeten, men på grund av lagen där du bor får du inte bestämma själv. Abort som är förbjudet betyder att du har ingen möjlighet att fatta ett eget beslut.  Oavsett om du är 14 år eller 30 år, oavsett din livssituation eller anledning, måste det vara varje individs rätt att bestämma över sin egen kropp.  I dag ska vi rösta om en resolution som fördömer abortlagen i delstaten Texas i USA. De har en lag som förbjuder abort från den sjätte graviditetsveckan, ett förbud som gäller även den som har blivit gravid genom våldtäkt eller incest.  Låt mig vara tydlig. Abortförbud förhindrar inte aborter. Det resulterar däremot i fler osäkra och många gånger livsfarliga aborter. Aborter förhindrar vi allra bäst genom full tillgång till sex- och samlevnadsundervisning och moderna preventivmedel, för det handlar om kunskap och information och tillgång till sexuella och reproduktiva rättigheter. I dag nåddes vi av nyheten att den federala domaren tillfälligt har stoppat lagen. Det är bra, men det kommer att överklagas, så vår resolution är mycket viktig. Jag vill tacka alla er som har bidragit i förhandlingarna och på olika sätt till denna viktiga resolution. Nu kan vi i EU bestämma att varje människa har rätt att bestämma över sin egen kropp.
Debate: The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Samira Rafaela
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Women are constantly fighting for autonomy and the right to decide for their own. The news this morning that the federal judge has blocked the Texas abortion law gives me hope, hope that the international order is strong and continues its fight for women’s rights. The law disproportionately targets women from lower income classes and women of colour. Pressure on women’s rights is a worldwide phenomenon, including in this House.  It is essential that the resistance to opposition, those who believe in her body, her right, stand in solidarity with women across the world. But some people in this House do not want that. You want men and others to decide for you, your daughters and sisters. Obviously, you don’t want real emancipation. You want women to keep depending on others, and the goal of the wave of anti-abortion laws and the politicians that push for it is to put female sexuality under strict and brutal state control, and it is dehumanising. While the Texas law is unprecedented, many Members of the European Parliament would limit abortion rights tomorrow if they had the opportunity. Even female Members of this House.  So Members, colleagues, I am urging you to vote in favour of this resolution for the women in Texas first and foremost, and for women and girls across the EU or who watching this debate right now. We need to fight this battle. It is not over. Don’t underestimate it. It’s her body. It’s her choice. Let’s keep fighting for that.
Debate: The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Alice Kuhnke
Country: Germany
Language: SV

I dag, ett år senare, är det dags igen. I Texas har samma krafter som i Polen vunnit mark. Den nya abortlag som beslutats om förbjuder alla aborter efter vecka 6, och den gör inget undantag. Det spelar ingen roll om du har blivit våldtagen eller utsatt för incest. Lagen uppmanar till och med till angiveri. Den som kan peka ut en person som gjort abort eller någon som har hjälpt till så att en abort har kunnat utföras, den personen, utpekaren, kan belönas med tusentals kronor.  Vi vet att den här lagen kommer ha förödande och livsfarliga konsekvenser. Vi vet att förbud mot abort inte leder till färre aborter. Det leder till livsfarliga aborter.  Det som händer i Polen och Texas sker inte i ett vakuum. Samma värdekonservativa krafter som inskränker kvinnors och hbtqi-personers och minoriteters rättigheter i Texas och i Polen försöker också vinna mark i andra delstater och i andra länder, också i ditt land. I vårt land. Det här är rörelser som sträcker sig över nationsgränser och som steg för steg utmanar de framsteg som kvinnor har kämpat för i generationer. Jämlikhet, jämställdhet, rätten att ta beslut över sina egna kroppar.  Det är tröttsamt, och det är för jäkligt. Men vi måste fortsätta att protestera. Att larma. Att fördöma varje steg i fel riktning. Det är vi skyldiga alla dem som har gått före oss, och det är vårt ansvar gentemot dem som kommer efter oss.
Debate: The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Marisa Matias
Country: Austria
Language: PT

A proposta texana de quase banir o acesso ao aborto legal e seguro é uma violação dos direitos sexuais e reprodutivos e dos direitos humanos fundamentais, protegidos no Direito internacional. É uma proposta que deixaria de fora 85 a 90% das mulheres do Texas que necessitem de recorrer à prática do aborto, forçando-as a canais ilegais e inseguros com riscos para a sua saúde e para as suas vidas. Por isso, expressamos a nossa solidariedade com as mulheres do Texas e apelamos a que este tipo de propostas não avance, de forma a garantir que todos os serviços para aborto são acessíveis a todas as mulheres e raparigas.  Os nossos corpos, os nossos direitos: esta é uma luta de todas nós, de todos nós. De cada vez que se recua nos direitos de algumas mulheres somos todas nós que recuamos e, por isso mesmo, não abdicamos e não arredamos pé na nossa solidariedade com as mulheres do Texas.
Debate: The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Michael Gahler
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

This debate does not address a case of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. This debate rather constitutes yet another example of abuse of this House’s so far well—established and highly respected procedure of addressing urgent cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in third countries where they are most at risk. In countries where there is no rule of law, where laws are applied arbitrarily, where there is no freedom of expression, or where individuals or groups are systematically harassed, and where courts are obedient executers of the ruler’s will. None of that is the case in the United States. To the contrary; this controversial law is not in force yet, has been addressed and continues to be evaluated in different court instances. Just yesterday, a federal judge stopped the application. And of course, further instances will follow. So who are we to put such a situation on the same level and address it with the same discussion instrument as when we discussed China’s stance on Hong Kong or the Uighurs, or Russia’s, or Belarus’s, or Cuba’s multifold human rights violations? For some, it’s probably yet another expression or occasion of general anti—Americanism. I call on the more reasonable colleagues in the Group that signed not to support this motion as we will not support this motion.