unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Karin Karlsbro
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: EN

But what we know is that the situation for political prisoners in Belarus is horrific. And we know far too well about Lukashenko’s brutality and contempt for life and human dignity. But, one day, justice will prevail. Now we need to be firm and we need reactions from the EU to make it very clear: we want to know where Viktar is. We want to see him under professional and medical care and treatment. We call for Viktar Babaryka’s immediate and unconditional release. This applies to all other political prisoners in Belarus as well.
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Lukas Mandl
Political group: PPE
Country: Portugal
Language: EN

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the situation in Belarus has disappeared a bit from public attention due to this brutal and unjustified war of Putin’s Russia. But the situation in Belarus is still bad. It became even worse. There are political prisoners we are talking about today, there are people accused of something even if they only conduct their right to fight for freedom, and then they are imprisoned and they are persecuted by the bodies of Lukashenko’s regime – and this regime is also supporting this Putin/Russia war.  I want to recommend from the side of this very European Parliament to include the Belarusian freedom movement into the European political community, EPC. I request the decision—takers on the administrative level, in the executive branches in Europe, to decide to include also this only remaining state, which is not yet represented in the European political community, via its freedom movement into this community, meeting on 1 June in the Republic of Moldova. This will be a clear signal of the unity of the free world.
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Thijs Reuten
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, again we are speaking about the Lukashenko regime and rightfully so, because we will not stop until this relentless dictator stops throwing his best people in jail and responds for his crimes.  Viktar Babaryka was beaten into hospital just because he stood up for what Belarusians long for – freedom. We should have been more decisive back when Lukashenko went as far as hijacking planes. If we would have done half back then of what we were able to do with Russia in February last year – and yesterday the 11th sanctions package on Russia was presented, but there was no mention of Belarus at all, like last time around. I expect an explanation. The complicit regime of Putin’s lapdog Lukashenko that actively takes part in the genocidal crime of child deportations from Ukraine must be treated accordingly. Free Viktar Babaryka; free all political prisoners;
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, mă bucur foarte mult că dezbatem acest subiect. Cred că este foarte important ca în Parlamentul European, în mod constant, să transmitem mesaje de solidaritate cu cei care se sacrifică pentru valorile noastre, pentru demnitatea umană, pentru drepturile omului, pentru libertatea de exprimare. Lukașenka este ultima relicvă sovietică pe care o avem pe acest continent și eu cred că este foarte important să nu uităm că acești dictatori se hrănesc din această linie stalinistă prin care își oprimă propria națiune.  Cred că este foarte important ca Viktar Babarîka să știe că noi suntem alături și că îi susținem, pentru că acești oameni luptă pentru demnitate, luptă pentru Europa, luptă pentru democrație, luptă pentru libertate. Este esențial ca dictatorii să știe că noi suntem uniți alături de națiunile care vor să scape de ei.
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, dovolte mi, abych se také vyjádřil k navržené rezoluci. Chci poděkovat kolegům za předložený text a chtěl bych také podpořit tento návrh, který jasně vyjadřuje podporu opozičnímu lídrovi Viktaru Babarykovi, který bohužel, jak už tady bylo řečeno, je zcela neprávem vězněn, týrán ve vězení a v tuto chvíli se jeho zdravotní stav výrazně zhoršil. Opakovaně to zde říkáme. Nejbližší spojenec Putina Lukašenko, zločinný režim, který jasně kolaboruje s válečným štváčem Putinem, pomáhá při útoku na Ukrajinu. A myslím, že je na místě, abychom přijali toto usnesení a abychom se dále zabývali, jak zpřísnit sankce vůči Lukašenkovu režimu. Je zřejmé, že rozdíl mezi Putinovým režimem a tím Lukašenkovým je velmi malý, vychází ze stejné ideologie, oba vůdci mají stejné projevy a chovají se podobně. Takže já jsem pro, abychom zpřísnili sankce, a podporuji návrh usnesení.
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, dear colleagues, Viktar Babaryka is one of the nearly 1 500 political prisoners in Belarus whose only crime is the desire for a sovereign, democratic and prosperous Belarus. Brave men and women, their families, all suffering under the terror of Lukashenko’s regime. This is why the EU must do all in its power to put pressure on the regime, including the strengthening of our sanctions. Not only Lukashenko and his closest allies, but also his henchmen in the judiciary and in the security forces, must face consequences for their role in the terror and persecution. Viktar Babaryka, Mikola Statkevich, Pavel Seviarynets and all the political prisoners need our continued attention. The EU must not waver in its support for the people of Belarus.
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, I genuinely think it’s an awful pity that we weaponise human rights in here. We’ve had multiple motions about human rights violations in China and Russia and Belarus and not a single word about the appalling violations in the US, Israel or our own Member States. Of course, I regret and oppose that there are people in Belarus in prison for trying to change their society, as I do those sharing the same fate in Israel or Catalonia. I want to see the release of Belarusian trade unionists Hennadz Fiadynich, Vasil Berasneu and Vatslau Areshka. They are the representatives of genuinely independent Belarusian trade unions. They have been imprisoned for over a year now, having recently received sentences for extremism. They have never received money from foreign governments or state agencies, only funds from fellow trade unionists in other countries in the best traditions of working class solidarity. So I think rather than trying to endlessly score cheap political points in here by trying to use these sessions to achieve regime change, could we stand back and be true to international working class solidarity and allow the people in those countries to change things for themselves.
Debate: Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

Viktar Babaryka was arrested just before the 2020 presidential elections, for which he intended to run. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in June 2021 for the sole reason of trying to exercise his political right to stand as a candidate. Additionally, there is now evidence that he has been victim of serious mistreatment in prison. We are doing what we can to get information, but the Belarusian authorities do not reply.  Unfortunately, he is just one example among many. The detention conditions in Belarus are appalling, especially for political prisoners, and there is widespread use of torture. Several political prisoners were recently admitted to hospital after being reportedly exposed to violence in prison. On 21 May 2021, Vitold Ashurak died in prison. We call once again for an inquiry into the circumstances and cause of his death. Only a few days ago, on 7 May, another political prisoner, blogger Mikalai Klimovich, died in prison.  The regime will do just anything to silence critical voices and calls for democracy. Almost three years since the fraudulent elections of August 2020, there are now more than 1 500 political prisoners in Belarus, and their number continues to grow.  On 6 March 2023, two other key figures from the opposition, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, to whom this Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, and Pavel Latushko, were sentenced in absentia to 15 years and 18 years in prison, respectively. They were targeted just for standing up for democratic rights and justice, asking for free and fair elections.  On 3 May, Raman Protasevich, a journalist who was arrested after the RyanAir plane he was on was forced to land in Minsk, and two other journalists, were sentenced to long prison terms – a demonstration of total disrespect on World Press Freedom Day.  A recent UN report concluded that gross human rights violations are being committed across the country and that some may amount to crimes against humanity. The European Union will continue to condemn this brutal repression in the strongest possible terms and stand up for human rights. The European Union has reacted firmly to the illegal actions of Lukashenko’s regime by imposing robust sanctions on Belarus as a response to the violations of human rights and to its support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Let me be clear that deterioration of the situation will lead to further EU reactions.  At the same time, the European Union continues to support the people of Belarus and has provided over EUR 100 million in direct financial support to civil society in Belarus.  The European Union calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and for the cessation of repression. The European Union will continue its efforts to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. We will continue to stand by the people of Belarus.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Abir Al-Sahlani
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

You know what? The sad fact is that the biggest group in Parliament are not participating in this resolution. And I urge every member of the European Parliament belonging to the EPP Group who still believe in democracy for all people, in freedom for all people, in peace for all people to vote in favour of this resolution, because the people of Myanmar both deserve it and need it.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Heidi Hautala
Country: Poland
Language: EN

So now the international community must take very seriously its responsibility to protect the people, and it is in no way acceptable that the junta is planning sham elections this year, and for that purpose it has closed and finished 40 political parties.  Now it’s very important that we coordinate internationally the sanctions and that we try to find ways to address the illicit criminal economy of the junta, which is also undermining the sanctions of the democratic countries. So we need to work together with the democratic forces, the national unity government, the Union Parliament and the armed regional organisations that work all together.  This is the moment that we have to take our responsibility.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Marina Mesure
Country: Spain
Language: FR

En solidarité avec le peuple birman et en soutien avec ses aspirations légitimes à la liberté, nous rejetons toute tentative des chefs militaires de légitimer leur pouvoir anti-démocratique par des élections fictives. Nous nous tenons aussi aux côtés des syndicats sur place parce qu’ils sont particulièrement visés par le régime. Seize organisations syndicales ont été déclarées illégales, plus de 300 responsables syndicaux ont été arrêtés, et au moins 43 ont été tués. Malgré cela, l’Union européenne continue à travers le projet «Made in Myanmar», à financer grâce à des fonds européens des entreprises du textile qui relaient la propagande militaire et répriment les syndicats. Ceci est inacceptable et nous devons y mettre un terme. L’Union européenne doit défendre le droit à la liberté d’expression, de réunion, d’association au Myanmar et faire tout ce qui est en son pouvoir pour les protéger.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

The political situation in Myanmar brings to light how fragile democratic development is. The claws of the military are getting longer and longer and pushing deeper and deeper into the power. The dissolution of over 40 parties and arbitrary arrests of politicians are horrific. When addressing the oppressive junta regime in Myanmar our demands are clear. We condemn and reject the military junta’s illegitimate rule. We demand an immediate end to their attacks on civilians, labour unions, journalists, religious representatives and peaceful democratic protesters, including the opposition. We demand an immediate end to their air strikes and use of rape as a weapon. The international community must now stand ready with all its available political tools. We must sanction the military junta and all those affiliated with it.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Svenja Hahn
Political group: Renew
Country: Finland
Language: EN

For two years, the junta has been killing, banishing, arresting and raping people with impunity. And now they want to legitimise their rule by sham elections because they know they want to boost their image, but they don’t want a real democracy. They dissolved 40 political parties. They prevented opposition leaders from running by sentencing them on politically motivated charges, because it’s the autocrats and the despots of this world that terrorise and murder because of their fear of freedom and democracy. And it’s the fifth time and hopefully the last time that I’m calling in this Chamber on the Commission to ensure that none of the military conglomerate benefits from the preferential access to our single market. Because as the European Union we need to act and we need to stand in solidarity by those seeking freedom and democracy in Europe and the world.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, em Mianmar, aos assassinatos em massa, às prisões arbitrárias, à tortura, à violência sexual, às restrições severas da liberdade de reunião e de expressão, às execuções sob custódia, junta—se agora, mais recentemente, também a dissolução de mais de 40 partidos políticos e a convocação iminente de eleições fantoches para legitimar um regime absolutamente antidemocrático e absolutamente criminoso. Diante disto, pouco nos resta a dizer mais. Resta—nos esperar que a União Europeia e que a Comissão, aqui representando o lado executivo da União Europeia, tomem medidas no sentido de sancionar a Junta Militar. Não podemos continuar sem sancionar. Eu começo a ser um bocadinho cética em relação à aplicação de sanções, mas, neste caso, Senhor Comissário, eu não sou nada cética em relação à aplicação de sanções. Temos que sancionar a Junta Militar e apoiar a sociedade civil, numa tentativa de reverter esta situação verdadeiramente incontrolável.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Jordi Cañas
Political group: Renew
Country: Portugal
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, señor comisario, según las Naciones Unidas, más de 2 800 personas asesinadas, más de 16 000 detenidos irregularmente, más de 1,2 millones de ciudadanos desplazados, disolución de los partidos políticos. Es decir, el nivel de degradación de Myanmar es insoportable. Y yo creo que aquí, recurrentemente, nos estamos diciendo qué podemos hacer. ¿Qué podemos hacer que no hayamos hecho? Pues hay cosas. Hay cosas que se pueden hacer. Ya sé que esto no va a ser muy popular y que no es fácil, pero ya se ha hecho —se hizo con Camboya—: se trata de la retirada de las preferencias arancelarias de que dispone el país y de las cuales una parte importante del Gobierno se beneficia, es decir, del «Todo menos armas». ¿Por qué? Porque es un instrumento. Ese instrumento tenía que servir para evitar la violación grave y sistemática de los derechos humanos. Es el momento en que se puede aplicar esa retirada temporal de las preferencias pues hay una grave y sistemática violación de los derechos humanos. ¿Qué más grave y sistemática violación de los derechos humanos que casi 3 000 muertos, más de 16 000 detenidos y más de 1,2 millones de desplazados?
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

This drew condemnation from around the world and, needless to say, the current situation of rising violence in Myanmar is not conducive to credible and inclusive elections. Dialogue with all stakeholders is a prerequisite for an inclusive process that can provide a way forward to end the violence and pave the way for a meaningful democratic process that would truly reflect the will of Myanmar’s people. Therefore, the European Union supports the ongoing diplomatic efforts of the ASEAN chair, Indonesia, to achieve this. These efforts are ever more urgent in light of the increasing number of reports of atrocities committed by the military across Myanmar. We trust that the ASEAN summit, ongoing since yesterday and ending tomorrow, will also bring along concrete measures. The European Union also continues to advocate for a global arms embargo in the UN framework and to hold to account those who have perpetrated war crimes and atrocities. The Council of the European Union has adopted six rounds of restrictive measures against individuals and entities supporting the military regime and its human rights violations. Restrictive measures now apply to a total of 93 individuals and 18 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territory. In addition, EU persons and entities are prohibited to make funds available to those listed. Other EU restrictive measures will remain in place: the embargo of arms and equipment and export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications that might be used for internal repression, the export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, and the prohibition of military training and cooperation with the Tatmadaw. These measures complement the withholding of EU financial assistance to the Government of Myanmar and the freezing of all EU assistance – a tool that may be perceived as a means to legitimise the junta. The EU and like-minded partners stand ready to adopt further packages of restrictive measures if the situation does not improve. Though the sanctions adopted by the EU and partners have not brought the military back to the path of dialogue or ended the violence, they have sent a powerful message of support to the population and democratic force. And so we will continue to assess the situation to see if it is necessary to reinforce the package already in place. The European Union will continue working closely with international partners on possible future targeted sanctions following the Sagaing State air strike on civilians and the dissolution of democratic parties. Our leadership with key international partners and ASEAN in addressing a deepening human rights, humanitarian and political crisis is essential, and I thank you for your support in such a way.
Debate: Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Nicola Beer
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Die Aussprache ist geschlossen. Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt wurden 5 Entschließungsanträge eingereicht. Die Abstimmung findet morgen, Donnerstag, 11. Mai 2023, statt.
Debate: New Oil Drilling in Alaska – impact on the global climate crisis and the rights of indigenous peoples
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Nicola Beer
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Kommission zu neuen Ölbohrungen in Alaska – Auswirkungen auf die globale Klimakrise und die Rechte indigener Völker (
Debate: New Oil Drilling in Alaska – impact on the global climate crisis and the rights of indigenous peoples
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2023
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

The recently concluded Fit for 55 package and the European Climate Law send a clear signal to our international partners. The European Union will continue leading international efforts to fight climate change. We are mobilising our efforts to build alliances among the most climate-ambitious countries to increase the global objectives of emission reduction and to provide the necessary resources to the most affected. There is a strong convergence of views with the Biden administration on the importance of fighting climate change and ensuring a just energy transition. The European Union and the US share the ambition to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Through the High-Level Climate Action Group, co-chaired by EVP Timmermans and the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Kerry, we regularly coordinate our approaches in view of facilitating the effective and strengthened implementation of the Paris Agreement. We also engage on our respective Arctic policies. The US National Strategy for the Arctic Region of October 2022 and the EU’s 2021 Arctic policy both put a strong emphasis on the necessity to accelerate the fight against climate change, including promoting with global partners the setting of high standards for reducing the environmental impact of processes for exploitation and processing. The Arctic is particularly affected by the fast warming pace, which is having a wide range of far-reaching impacts, including on local populations. As reiterated in the EU Arctic policy, the EU remains committed to the full involvement of the indigenous peoples inhabiting those regions in decisions concerning their future development. This is in line with international human rights and the EU’s fundamental rights policy. Through the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024, we support the participation of indigenous peoples in relevant human rights and development processes, including by upholding the principle of free prior and informed consent in all decisions affecting them. As part of our comprehensive agenda with the US, we discuss and coordinate regularly on human rights. The latest iteration of the EU-US Human Rights Consultations last took place in Brussels last month. However, we need to recall that as regards any decision on drillings in Alaska, it is for US authorities and all stakeholders concerned by the project to assess all the relevant possible impacts. The Commission will pursue with regard to the overall political priorities that we just outlined. And I look forward, of course, to your remarks during the debate.