unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: EU Global Health Strategy
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Maria Walsh
Political group: PPE
Country: Austria
Language: EN

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the EU Global Health Strategy aims to ensure our health policies protect our citizens in the best possible way, and I welcome the Health in All Policies. A coordinated approach between EU Member States serves our citizens best when it comes to health and social policy. However, it is fundamentally lacking, I believe, when it comes to the protection of our citizens mental health. Our health services and facilities are not fit for purpose when it comes to addressing both preventative and reactive mental healthcare. In France, the incidence of depression has doubled in the years since the beginning of the pandemic, and the rates of attempted suicide are among the highest in Europe. Mental health care in Poland is described as being in a permanent state of crisis. Rates of death by suicide remain much higher in Polish men compared to the EU average. In my own country of Ireland, 1 in 10 adults have attempted to die by suicide. Reports show in EU right now, the second-leading cause of death for our young people is death by suicide.  Across the EU, our spending on mental health remains low, and charities and civil society organisations have plugged the gap for far too long. If we are truly to protect people’s physical and mental health in the EU, strategies on health need to include such and finally end the underinvestment in mental health services and facilities.
Debate: EU Global Health Strategy
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, the EU has repeatedly, again and again, promoted the interests of Big Pharma and trade at the expense of people’s health. Predictably, then, the new EU global health strategy proposes no overhaul of the existing monopoly—based, market driven principles of healthcare provision and vaccine development. The EU should help and empower countries to set up publicly funded and publicly delivered healthcare. The EU should stop blocking countries from making their own medicines and treatments and should put patients before profits. The Global South does not want more aid dependency. It wants vaccine justice and real equity in terms of healthcare access. We need future advance purchase agreements that guarantee downstream global access and affordability, as well as a transfer of manufacturing knowhow that ensures vaccines are a public good. It’s mind—blowing that the production of medicines is still treated as a money—making initiative instead of a life—saving initiative. We need to prioritise saving lives instead of protecting corporate and political interests.
Debate: EU Global Health Strategy
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Jessika Roswall
Language: EN

Our reflection on the Global Health Strategy focuses on three priorities: deliver better health and well—being for people across the life course, strength the health system and universal health coverage, and prevent and combat health threats. As was raised in the debate, the Swedish Presidency is also raising the issue of gender equality in the Council conclusions.  Our goal is that the EU show proactive leadership based on mutually—beneficial partnerships, engagement of all relevant sectors, clear priorities and a ‘team Europe’ approach. The new EU Global Health Strategy and the upcoming Council conclusions will be instrumental tools to achieve these objectives.  So thank you very much for an interesting debate and, once again, thank you for your attention.
Debate: EU Global Health Strategy
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Stefania Zambelli
Political group: ID
Country: Spain
Language: IT

Purtroppo anni di politiche di bilancio orientate all'austerity hanno fatto sì che nel tempo venissero tagliati posti letto ordinari e in terapia intensiva e interi reparti e che ci fosse una diminuzione di tutto il personale del comparto sanitario, medici, infermieri e operatori. Oggi, con il peggio della pandemia alle spalle, è necessario che l'Unione europea e gli Stati membri imparino dagli errori del passato, investendo di più nel rafforzamento dei singoli sistemi sanitari. L'UE in tale contesto, nel rispetto delle competenze nazionali dei singoli Stati in materia sanitaria, si deve far promotrice di un maggior coordinamento, incentivando lo scambio di buone pratiche e delle migliori tecnologie a nostra disposizione. Un ambito nel quale l'UE deve agire e coordinare le attività degli Stati membri è la lotta al cancro: dobbiamo recuperare in fretta tutti gli screening e le diagnosi ritardate a causa della COVID-19, assicurare a tutti le migliori cure e investire sempre più nella ricerca medica e scientifica.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Roberts Zīle
Language: LV

Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par Padomes un Komisijas paziņojumiem par vispārēju homoseksualitātes dekriminalizāciju, ņemot vērā neseno notikumu attīstību Ugandā (
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Jessika Roswall
Language: EN

The criminalisation of homosexuality is contrary to international law and violates the enjoyment of human rights by LGBTI persons. It reinforces and legitimises existing stereotypes, increases the risk of stigmatisation, discrimination and violence, and can make LGBTI persons more vulnerable to human rights violations and abuses. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and 2023 marks its 75th anniversary. Equality and non-discrimination are core values enshrined in the EU Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The European Union is committed to fighting all forms of discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and continues to actively promote and protect the human rights of LGBTI persons, as Prime Minister Bettel of Luxembourg so strongly reminded us today in his speech here in the Chamber.  It is important to recall that the African Union also shares these values, and that the African Union Commission condemned violence and other human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The EU will continue to work constructively with partners in Africa to counteract and denounce all discriminatory laws, policy and practices, including the criminalisation of consenting same—sex relations and, in particular, the use of the death penalty, torture or ill treatment in this respect. The human rights of LGBTI persons remain part of the EU’s diplomacy efforts in bilateral relations and in multilateral fora. The EU will continue to work with and support civil society organisations working for increased respect for human rights, including those protecting and promoting the enjoyment of human rights by LGBTI persons. I’m looking forward to this debate, but thank you for the attention.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Stella Kyriakides
Language: EN

We recognise Uganda’s contribution to regional security, including providing sanctuary for the more than 1.5 million refugees in the country, as well as the continuous contribution of troops to AMISOM – now ATMIS – to provide security in Somalia. We also recall our excellent collaboration in addressing the Ebola outbreak in 2022.  We look forward to cooperating with Uganda in the implementation of the recently—adopted Council conclusions on the Great Lakes strategy, as well as enhancing bilateral and regional economic cooperation through the Economic Partnership agreements, and we are considering a strategic partnership on critical raw materials.  Our important partnership with Uganda only emphasises our serious concerns regarding the Anti—Homosexuality Bill. Immediately after its announcement, there have been numerous contacts and démarches from the EU towards the government, parliament and the President expressing our concern and reconsideration of the bill. At the end of March, the head of the EU delegation and the Italian ambassador met in private with President Museveni to discuss the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and the EU’s continued concerns with the promulgation of the law.  If the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is signed into law, Uganda will seriously undermine its international and continental human rights obligations. It is important to recall that the EU is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. The EU strongly encourages Uganda to reconsider the Anti—Homosexuality Bill and believes that the Ugandan Government and lawmakers should engage in dialogue with all sectors of society to foster a greater sense of tolerance towards the rights of all people to live free from fear, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  The bill calls into question Uganda as a country where rights and freedoms are guaranteed to all citizens – an essential feature not only of an open and democratic society, but also an environment conducive to business and foreign investment.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Tomas Tobé
Political group: PPE
Country: Estonia
Language: EN

I have three concrete questions for the Commission from the EPP Group: firstly, will the Commission make further development aid conditional upon Uganda upholding fundamental freedom and human rights? Secondly, is the Commission considering imposing any other measures if the anti—LGBTI legislation is signed into force? And thirdly, what measures is the Commission taking through its development cooperation to better protect LGBTI people and decriminalise homosexuality around the globe? You need to make it absolutely clear that the European Union will never,
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Karsten Lucke
Political group: S-D
Country: Spain
Language: EN

But if we today talk about the law criminalising homosexuality in Uganda, then we speak on the basis of our partnership. The EU is not coming around the corner as a teacher here because we have agreed as partners in international treaties, in conventions, in agreements that human rights are essential elements of our partnership and a key aspect of development of the people in our countries. And this law doesn’t take one step, doesn’t take 10 steps, but countless steps back into what feels really like Middle Ages. The proposed criminalisation of homosexual people tramples human rights in such a way that it’s really unbearable. And a climate of fear and denunciation is created. And anyone who wants in the country to grow and prosper is doing exactly the opposite what this law is doing. And don’t tell me that this is coming somehow from an African culture or these human rights contemplating positions have grown out of society. We have very good other examples in Africa that show that things can be done differently and that is not undermining human dignity. In essence, President Museveni should not sign this law. It really sends the wrong signal in all directions and massively harms Ugandan society with regard to peaceful, secure and sustainable development.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Pierre Karleskind
Political group: Renew
Country: Ireland
Language: FR

Dans le monde, nul ne peut, nul ne devrait s’arroger le droit de dire à l’autre qui il est. Car il ne s’agit pas, ici, de parler de la liberté de ce que l’on veut faire; il s’agit bien de parler du droit d’être. D’être ce que l’on est. De vivre sa vie comme on est. D’aimer comme on est. Il s’agit du respect, du respect du droit d’être hétéro, gay, lesbienne, bi, trans, d’être comme on est né. Il s’agit simplement d’être. D’être qui l’on est. D’être vivant. De vivre.  Aussi, Mesdames et Messieurs, ne devrait-on pas, dans le monde, être en prison pour ce que l’on est. On ne devrait pas être condamné à mort pour ce que l’on est. Il s’agit aujourd’hui de cela, uniquement de cela. Et c’est bien pour cela qu’ici, dans cette enceinte de la démocratie européenne, nous devons ensemble appeler à la dépénalisation de l’homosexualité et de la transidentité.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Kim Van Sparrentak
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

This new law in Uganda is another example of a law that criminalises people for being who they are. It’s a  This is why we in Europe should also take our responsibility and why I’m very happy that tomorrow we will call on the European Commission to establish an EU strategy for the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality and transgender identity, to ensure that everyone in the world will be able to live and love freely.  Know that we in the European Parliament will continue standing by the side of the LGBT community all over the world. We will fight for you when your rights are under attack, like in Uganda or Ghana or the United States. But we will also celebrate with you when progress is made, like this past weekend in the Cook Islands. Because when we all stand together, a world where all human beings will truly be born free and equal in dignity and rights can be just around the corner.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Malin Björk
Political group: The Left
Country: Czechia
Language: EN

And I want all my LGBTQI sisters, brothers, siblings to know that you have our support in your struggle for freedom, for equality, for rights, the right to live. And I am proud to have negotiated, together with colleagues in this House, a text where the European Parliament steps up and we ask you, the Commission, and we ask you, the Council, to also step up. We acknowledge in our resolution the link between the colonial rule and the criminalisation of homosexuality in many of the countries. We also acknowledge that we have to do everything we can to stop that certain Western powers and countries and movements, evangelical churches and others, are actually fuelling the campaigns of hatred in Uganda and other countries. We have to do what we can to stop that. We will ask you in the European Commission and in the Council to step up the work. The European Union must be a champion for the decriminalisation and for the rights of LGBTI people, in the EU, of course, but also globally. We can do so much better, and this House is asking you to do more.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Maria Walsh
Political group: PPE
Country: Austria
Language: EN

Mr President, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, without distinction of any kind, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Currently, as mentioned, there are 64 countries that have laws that criminalise homosexuality.  Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda, and last month we saw the parliament in Uganda vote to strengthen anti—LGBTQI laws. Members of the LGBTQI community in Uganda now face up to life imprisonment. This bill is an assault. It’s an assault on freedom and human dignity, and seeks to further institutionalise discrimination, hatred and prejudice. This bill could also stigmatise HIV prevention efforts and criminalise people with HIV regardless – even if they’re heterosexual or, of course, homosexual.  As an Irish MEP, I am reminded quite sadly that homosexuality was only decriminalised 30 years ago. It was an Irish senator’s – Senator David Norris – landmark case at the European Court of Human Rights, where it was ruled that Ireland’s criminalisation violated the right to privacy in personal affairs. We as a European Union must always stand for the protection of fundamental rights and the rights of LGBTQI people, both within the EU and across the world.  Enough is enough. I’m tired of saying this to an empty plenary, but I do hope our LGBTI community in Uganda and across those 64 countries hear us united on this.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Marc Angel
Political group: S-D
Country: Luxembourg
Language: EN

Mr President, dear all, violence, harassment and hate speech in Uganda: these are not made-up allegations, but realities that activists have relayed to us. Speaking out against these attacks and protecting LGBTI rights is not a Western cultural construct, just as harassment and hate speech are not in the DNA of Ugandan citizens. This violence is a consequence of cynical choices driven by political and by religious interests. Since the Ugandan vote in favour of the total prohibition of homosexuality in the country, Kenya and also Tanzania have tabled similar texts. This is worrying, and all institutions must condemn criminalisation of homosexuality and trans identity. Europe must engage itself in the fight in favour of the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality and trans identity, not only for Ugandans, Kenyans and Tanzanians, but for all persecuted LGBTI people in the world. Europe shall commit itself to preventing the enactment of this law in Uganda or elsewhere. And to achieve this, Europe and the Commission must act strongly, going so far as to sanction the regime in place or denounce the existing trade agreements with the country, while guaranteeing the presence of special envoys in Uganda responsible for assessing the situation, and while also preserving – and foremost supporting – civil society.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Karen Melchior
Political group: Renew
Country: Estonia
Language: EN

Mr President, universal human rights and our democracy are based on us being equal, based on non-discrimination. So when you talk about LGBTI rights, trans rights and transgender rights as being part of a culture war and a wokeism, you are actually fighting against the basis of our democracy.  In 2011, David Kato was murdered in his own home. Last year we received Frank Mugisha, who is a lifelong LGBTI activist in Uganda and the head of Sexual Minorities Uganda, an organisation which last year was banned by Uganda. In 2011, the killers entered David Kato’s home and killed him. In 2023, the killers are sitting in the parliament in Kampala calling for the death sentence for people exercising their democratic rights and having their universal human rights. We have a radicalised Ugandan Parliament.  So what is this strategy of partnership that we’re talking about from the European Union? Where are our demands for respecting democracy and human rights in Uganda? Where are the sanctions against the individuals that are promoting this discrimination in Kampala?  We need a European strategy for universal decriminalisation. I want to see the Amsterdam rainbow dress at the next World Pride to have removed all of the country flags to replace them by pride flags, showing that we have achieved universal decriminalisation of being who you are.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Malte Gallée
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, and especially dear colleagues, Members of Parliament outside of Europe: if you criminalise homosexuality, people are going to kill themselves. Children are going to commit suicide for what they are. Be aware of this. Who brought these laws to so many countries in the world? It was the colonisers. Do you really want to follow this path? I doubt it. Two thousand four hundred years before Christ, they found statues in Egypt of men loving each other. Do you really think this is something new? I don’t think so.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, dámy a pánové, já bych se chtěl připojit ke svým předřečníkům a také podpořit rezoluci, ve které jednoznačně odmítáme parlamentem schválený zákon v Ugandě, který naprosto šíleným způsobem kriminalizuje homosexualitu. To není běžná kriminalizace. To je zákon, který za takovýto projev chování, který je lidstvu a člověku přirozený, navrhuje tresty smrti a drakonické tresty odnětí svobody.  Já si myslím, že není možné zůstat pouze u odsouzení tohoto zákona a dál konstatovat, že vztahy s Ugandou jsou v pořádku a že Uganda plní mezinárodní závazky. Pokud Uganda tento zákon nakonec přijme a bude účinný, je třeba, aby toto mělo dopad na vztah mezi civilizovaným světem – Evropskou unií – a Ugandou. Je třeba, aby toto ovlivnilo ekonomické vztahy s Ugandou. Je třeba, aby bylo jasné, že cynický postup tamního prezidenta jen tak nenecháme být a jsme připraveni na to reagovat.  Je třeba si uvědomit, že podobné návrhy zákonů projednávaly i jiné africké země, přesto nakonec naštěstí nebyly přijaty. Uganda je země, kde je opravdu absolutní většina zákonodárců ochotna přijmout zákon, který tvrdí, že za určité formy homosexuality má následovat trest smrti. My to musíme jasně odsoudit, a pokud bude takový zákon přijat, musí to mít dopad na vztahy mezi Evropskou unií a Ugandou.
Debate: Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: SV

Herr talman! Attackerna mot hbtqi-personer i Uganda är en attack mot mänskliga fri- och rättigheter. Kärleken ska vara fri och ingen ska någonsin tvingas avstå från att uttrycka sina känslor för en annan människa. Livstid i fängelse för att ha uttryckt sin kärlek till en annan människa är faktiskt bortom allt förstånd. I Uganda innebär det till och med dödsstraff i vissa fall.  Attacker på hbtqi-personer och människorättsförsvarare är grymhet. Stenåldersmentalitet hör hemma i papperskorgen, inte i lagstiftningen. Var än hbtqi-personer och människorättsförsvarare är under attack så är det vårt ansvar att öka stödet till dem. Vi måste se över våra avtal med länder där vi ser en tillbakagång, och respekten för hbtqi-rättigheter måste stå i centrum för både EU:s inrikespolitik och dess utrikespolitik. Vi måste få slut på häxjakten på hbtqi-personer en gång för alla.  Och till min vän Sam Muyizzi, som bor i Uganda och är människorättsförsvarare, vill jag säga: ”Er frihet är vår frihet”.