unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Clara Ponsatí Obiols
Political group: NI
Country: Slovakia
Language: EN

Madam President, the democracy movement of Hong Kong has the genuine sympathy and solidarity of the Catalans. Their fight against authoritarianism for democracy and self-determination is our fight. But the people of Hong Kong are enduring massive arrests, exile, the criminalisation of fundamental rights like the freedom of assembly and interference in their electoral processes — this is all too familiar to us as well. While Beijing crushes democracy in Hong Kong, what message do they get from the EU? A rushed conclusion to the investment agreement! This sends a very clear message that human rights and violations are perhaps unpleasant, but they are not going to be an obstacle for businesses. The EU must stop sending these mixed messages, just paying lip service to their commitment to democracy and human rights. This Parliament must put on hold the EU investment agreement, and this Parliament must support the Uighur people and declare it a genocide.
Debate: The crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Madam President, the Chinese regime never hesitates to violate human rights and international law. The case of Hong Kong is one of the many violations of human rights and international law. The speedy deterioration in Hong Kong is worrying. The oppressive Chinese regime must immediately release all political prisoners, including the immediate and unconditional release of the opposition members of the Parliament of Hong Kong and also the release of the Swedish bookseller Gui Minhai in prison in the PRC. Introduction of the national security legislation in Hong Kong is a shame. The ‘one country, two systems’ principle must be respected. It is time for the EU and the Member States to act. How much more should the people of Hong Kong suffer until the world acts? It shouldn’t matter how big a country is geographically, demographically or economically: human rights and international law are universal and must always apply.
Debate: The crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, China has shown us enough. It showed us everything we Europeans fought in the past: concentration camps, genocide, taking one’s country for its own, sending people to jail for their opinions, creating causes to subdue the population. Ring any bells? Let me apologise to Hong Kong citizens for talking mainly about China when all our eyes should be on you. But this is simply not enough. We have another resolution condemning Beijing’s actions, while our EU colleagues are shaking hands with Xi Jinping, striking pompous investment deals. Later today, we will talk about the deteriorating situation in Vietnam.  Some tried to persuade me last year that a trade deal would help human rights. Man, were they wrong. Are we really making the same mistake again? Do you really not care? Ms von der Leyen, Mr Macron, Ms Merkel, Mr Michel, this is not my European Union. Our values are not for sale.
Debate: The crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

The arrests on 14 January of 11 individuals implicated in the attempted escape to Taiwan of 12 Hong Kongers further compounds the impression that the criminal justice system is being deployed to punish dissent. Since the imposition of the national security legislation by Beijing over Hong Kong, the EU has conveyed with the great unity its strong concerns publicly in a serious of declarations and directly to the Chinese leadership at the summit in June and the leaders’ meeting in September. The leaders’ meeting of December was not only the occasion to conclude negotiations in principle on a comprehensive agreement on investment with China but also to raise concern on Hong Kong. The EU will continue to stand firm on its values and principles, while pursuing its interests. And the same effort in July, the Council adopted an EU response package comprising a mix of measures at EU and national level, such as further scrutinising exports of sensitive equipment, suspending extradition agreements, stepping up scholarships and academic exchanges, further engaging with civil society and observing trials of pro—democracy activists. There is consensus on continuing to apply the measures and to consider additional steps in case of further deterioration. Unity and solidarity continue to prevail. We cannot let any Member State, any citizen, any Member of Parliament be singled out with respect to Hong Kong, Xinjiang or more broadly, China. By calling for the release of Swedish citizen, Gui Minhai, the EU will continue to stand firm on protecting its citizens. Coordination with like—minded democracies on Hong Kong and addressing other challenges brought along by China will continue to be a cornerstone of our approach. Hong Kong remains high on our political agenda and will be discussed at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council on 25 January.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Pedro Silva Pereira
Country: Bulgaria
Language: PT

Segue-se o debate sobre sete propostas de resolução sobre a situação dos direitos humanos na Turquia, especialmente o caso de Selahattin Demirtas e de outros prisioneiros de consciência ( _______________ * Ver ata.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Miguel Urbán Crespo
Country: Belgium
Language: ES

Desde entonces, decenas de políticos y miles de miembros del HDP han sido detenidos o encarcelados. Sus alcaldes —legítimamente elegidos— han sido destituidos y reemplazados por amigos del Gobierno. Y parece que la estrategia es no parar hasta conseguir aplastar al HDP. Como Demirtaş, hay miles de presos y presas políticas en Turquía, porque a Erdoğan le importan bien poco los derechos humanos o la normativa internacional, y parece que su papel como guardián de las fronteras europeas le otorga carta blanca para hacer lo que quiera.  Por eso, pedimos que se demuestre lo contrario: que se reaccione contundentemente, que Borrell exija una reunión con el ministro de Asuntos Exteriores para exigir la libertad de todos los presos políticos y del señor Demirtaş, que se apruebe un embargo de armas y que se congelen las negociaciones de adhesión hasta que se respeten los derechos humanos en Turquía. En definitiva, que se demuestre que violar los derechos humanos tiene consecuencias.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Thierry Mariani
Country: Croatia
Language: FR

Lundi dernier, c’est le ministre des Affaires étrangères allemand qui se rendait en Turquie. Fin décembre, c’est le même Heiko Maas qui refusait la demande légitime de la Grèce, qui voulait imposer un embargo sur le commerce des armes avec la Turquie. C’est le même qui renvoyait dos à dos Grèce et Turquie dans la montée en tension en Méditerranée à l’été dernier, à l’occasion d’une énième visite à Ankara.  C’est encore Mme Merkel qui recevait les louanges du ministre turc des Affaires étrangères lors de la réunion de l’OTAN en décembre. La présidence de l’Union européenne par Mme Merkel a donc été l’occasion d’une victoire diplomatique de la Turquie d’Erdoğan, et ce n’est pas en prétendant aujourd’hui défendre quelques opposants injustement poursuivis, que nous le ferons oublier. Pendant ce temps, la Turquie continue de persécuter ses opposants et les minorités religieuses, je pense par exemple au meurtre du couple chrétien Simoni et Hurmuz Diril en janvier 2020. La Turquie ne fait rien pour élucider ce meurtre. Islamisme politique, persécution des minorités chrétiennes, chantage aux migrations, la Turquie est un danger pour l’Europe. Nous nous abstiendrons sur cette résolution. Elle ne doit pas dissimuler la réalité: la présidence allemande de l’Union nous a fait capituler devant Erdoğan.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Hermann Tertsch
Country: France
Language: ES

Pasa lo mismo con China. Estamos llorando aquí por el aplastamiento de la oposición en China. O pasa con Venezuela. Estamos con eso y, sin embargo, no vamos avanzando en lo que tiene que ser, en una serie de sanciones que restablezcan la credibilidad de la Unión Europea. Hemos hablado mucho de Turquía, pero nadie ha planteado —como tiene que hacerse, de una vez por todas— la paralización de las negociaciones de adhesión, la suspensión
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Sergey Lagodinsky
Country: France
Language: DE

Es ist eigentlich unglaublich für mich und noch vor Kurzem unvorstellbar, dass ich zu diesem Thema über ein Land sprechen muss, mit dem wir eigentlich eine gemeinsame europäische Zukunft aufbauen wollen und wollten. Auch da gibt es politische Gefangene. Und auch über dieses Land müssen wir jetzt genauso reden wie über andere Länder, auch über Russland. Es ist unglaublich, dass wir eine solche Sitzung zur Türkei abhalten müssen. Aber die Namen sprechen für sich: Selahattin Demirtaș, Figen Yuksekdağ, Osman Kavala, aber auch weniger bekannte Namen wie Cihan Erdal oder eine deutsche Staatsbürgerin, Gönül Örs, und ihre Mutter, die aus dem Land nicht herauskommen und denen auch Gefängnis droht. Unsere grüne Position und meine persönliche Position ist klar: Die Zukunft der Türkei ist eine europäische Zukunft, und wir brauchen eine Normalisierung unserer Beziehung. Aber diese Normalisierung fängt mit Menschenrechten an, fängt mit Rechtsstaatlichkeit an, fängt auch mit der Normalisierung des völkerrechtlichen Verhaltens an. Bis diese Fortschritte da sind, werden wir mit der Normalisierung nicht vorankommen. Es ist schade, aber das ist die Tatsache.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Country: Romania
Language: EN

His case for me is just an example of the widespread human rights abuses and the misuse of the judiciary in Turkey. Colleagues, this resolution is yet another sign of our concern with the situation in Turkey, but it’s also a sign of solidarity with those who suffer the repressive measures taken by the Erdoğan regime. You all know that this Parliament will soon deal with the annual report on Turkey and, there too, we will repeat our concerns. My main message to the Turkish authorities today, ahead of their visit to Brussels later this week, is to remind them of our resolution. I will talk to Mr Erdoğan. Mr Erdoğan, better relations are fully dependent on tangible improvements in the respect of democratic principles, the rule of law and fundamental rights inside your country. If you’re serious about turning a new page in your relations with Europe, you know what to do.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Nacho Sánchez Amor
Country: Poland
Language: ES

El HDP y el propio Demirtaş han representado la decisión de muchos activistas prokurdos del abandono de la violencia armada y la apuesta por la actuación dentro de las instituciones. Es un proceso que en España conocemos muy bien, porque está en el origen de la victoria democrática sobre el terrorismo de ETA.  Sin embargo, en Turquía este movimiento es acusado continuamente de terrorista. Hemos intentado convencer a nuestros colegas turcos de que mantener al HDP en las instituciones es vital para que la democracia turca pueda sobrevivir como tal. Es un partido que por méritos propios y en contra de todos los elementos —como ha recordado Urbán— tiene ahora un notable apoyo popular.  El caso de Demirtaş es particular, no solo porque sea un líder, no solo porque fue candidato desde la cárcel a presidente del país, también porque el Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos ha dicho varias veces —la última vez, hace pocas semanas— que no existían razones para su detención y su permanencia en prisión y que debía ser inmediatamente liberado.  Estos días, los dirigentes turcos y, seguramente hoy, el ministro turco aquí en Bruselas, quieren demostrarnos que las relaciones con Europa tienen que retomarse, que desean retomar esas reformas democráticas largamente pospuestas.  No queremos más declaraciones. Por favor, no nos manden más cartas de amor. Mándennos hechos, decisiones que demuestren la sinceridad de esa —al parecer— renovada apuesta europea. Cumplan los compromisos que tienen con la legalidad internacional y liberen a Demirtaş, que es un buen ejemplo de la sinceridad de esa apuesta europea.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Peter van Dalen
Country: Italy
Language: NL

Wereldwijd zijn er zo’n 270 journalisten gevangen. 47 van hen zitten vast in Turkije en talloze andere zijn al gevlucht. Advocaten die die journalisten willen bijstaan, hebben nauwelijks toegang tot processtukken. Ook gebruikers van sociale media worden regelmatig opgepakt en eenzelfde lot treft Erdoğans politieke tegenstanders, zoals Demirtas. Spirituele leiders in Turkije zijn hun vrijheid niet zeker. Er zijn schijnprocessen tegen kerkleiders en goederen van kloosters worden regelmatig onteigend. Daarnaast papt Erdoğan aan met schurken zoals Hamasleider Hanija. De nieuwe omroep van Hamas, die wordt gefinancierd door Turkije, heeft als doel Erdoğan te promoten in het Midden-Oosten. Voorzitter, voor mij is het duidelijk: geen woorden, maar daden. Al die resoluties over de situatie in Turkije maken weinig uit. Met al die teksten op papier steekt Erdoğan slechts zijn gouden open haard aan. Het is tijd voor forse sancties tegen het regime in Ankara. Dat betekent mogelijk minder verkoop door Europese bedrijven van producten aan Turkije. Dat is dan jammer. De koopman wint het hier al vaak genoeg. Mensenrechten, en zeker die van gewetensgevangenen, zijn belangrijker dan geld verdienen aan handel met dubieuze landen zoals Turkije.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Tomislav Sokol
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: HR

Međutim, političke okolnosti su takve da u neposrednom susjedstvu imamo državu koja nije predana opisanim vrijednostima. Dok bi činjenica da Turska još od 1999. uživa status kandidata za članstvo u Uniji trebala značiti da ona dijeli našu viziju temeljnih vrijednosti, napose vladavine prava, to nažalost nije slučaj. Da je tome tako svjedoči višegodišnja pravosudna farsa vezana uz neosnovano pritvaranje oporbenog vođe Selahattina Demirtaşa koji je lišen slobode još 2016. Europski sud za ljudska prava svojom odlukom iz prosinca nedvojbeno je potvrdio da zatvaranje Demirtaşa nije bilo temeljeno na pravu te naložio njegovo trenutno puštanje na slobodu.  Kolegice i kolege, izražavam ovim putem žaljenje što Turska, kao naš dugogodišnji partner u očuvanju međunarodnog mira, ne poštuje odluke propisano ustanovljenih sudova. Kad tome dodamo sve agresivnije ponašanje u istočnom Mediteranu, sve teži položaj kršćana, progon političkih protivnika i povezanost s Muslimanskim bratstvom, možemo nažalost ustvrditi da Turska ne ide prema naprijed nego sve više i više ide unatrag.  Drugim riječima, vrijeme je da Europska unija konačno razmotri kakav dugoročan oblik suradnje s Turskom želi s obzirom na učestalo kršenje vladavine prava u ovoj državi.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Kati Piri
Political group: S-D
Language: EN

Is that my personal opinion? No. This opinion is shared by the highest authority on human rights in Europe. The European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber has come to the conclusion that he must be released immediately. What is happening with HDP in Turkey? We have seen their leaders being put in jail, and their Members of Parliament, their mayors and their activists, for four years now.  I understand that the Foreign Minister of Turkey is coming for a visit to Brussels. I urge everyone entering into talks with him to put the case of Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala at the top of the agenda. It’s useless to continue to talk if there is no action from the Turkish Government side. I believe it’s time to apply pressure, which Erdoğan does understand. Selahattin, Başak –
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Ramona Strugariu
Political group: Renew
Country: Italy
Language: EN

This is one of the most absurd attacks on free journalism and on democracy that I have ever witnessed. I wonder for how long we can continue to keep our eyes closed and our pockets open to such blatant injustice, while Erdoğan continues to send people to jail. Millions of people did what Melis did back then. Should they all go to jail, President Erdoğan?  If Turkey claims to be a democracy, then political prisoners should be released, fundamental freedoms should be respected and free journalists should be honoured. Then we can have a dialogue. I stand with you, Melis Alphan, and with Mr Demirtaş and other people who deserve a European life, not a dictatorship.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Susanna Ceccardi
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: IT

Negli ultimi anni l'atteggiamento di Erdoğan nei confronti dell'Europa e degli altri Stati sovrani non è stato affatto meno belligerante ed ostile. Nonostante questo l'Europa e alcuni governi europei, compreso quello italiano, continuano a voler portare avanti le trattative per l'ingresso della Turchia in Europa, come se potessimo sorvolare sull'aggressione del Nagorno, sulla guerra in Siria del nord, sulle trivellazioni al largo di Cipro, sull'oppressione degli oppositori politici, sui discorsi di odio nei confronti dell'Occidente europeo. Hanno trasformato la basilica di Santa Sofia in una moschea, un affronto a un simbolo di tutto il mondo cristiano. Quanti soldi abbiamo dato e stiamo continuando a dare alla Turchia? Tra sussidi, aiuti e incentivi per bloccare l'immigrazione, dal 2002 ad oggi la Turchia ha incassato più di 15 miliardi di euro nonostante la sua svolta islamista. Smettiamo di finanziare e armare un nemico dell'Occidente che si fa beffe di noi. Interrompiamo immediatamente le trattative per l'ingresso della Turchia in Europa e spendiamo quei soldi per la nostra gente, per le nostre imprese e per le nostre infrastrutture. Certi dittatori non capiscono la lingua della diplomazia, quella delle nostre risoluzioni per i diritti umani. Hanno solo brama di espandere il loro potere, anche a danno degli altri popoli. Per quanto ci riguarda, la Turchia non è mai stata, non è e non sarà mai Europa.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: François Alfonsi
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: FR

Toute l’opposition démocratique y est menacée de ne plus pouvoir se présenter à une élection car ceux qui les remportent sont sous la menace d’une inculpation pour complicité de terrorisme, puis détenus de longues années, comme M. Selahattin Demirtas, brillant candidat du parti kurde HDP à la présidentielle de 2015, puis emprisonné en 2016 alors qu’il avait été réélu député et toujours en prison depuis cinq ans. Face à de tels scandales démocratiques, le premier devoir de l’Union européenne est de s’assurer qu’elle n’en porte aucune responsabilité.  Aussi, le temps est-il venu de s’interroger sur la pertinence de l’inscription du PKK sur la liste des organisations terroristes, alors qu’on ne peut lui reprocher aucun acte de cette nature depuis fort longtemps. Il s’agit bien d’une organisation armée engagée dans un conflit territorial, il n’est pas pour autant justifié de la classifier comme terroriste, sauf à remonter plusieurs décennies en arrière. Cela a d’ailleurs été acté par une décision de justice rendue en Belgique en 2020. En retirant cette couverture politique à la répression de M. Erdoğan, l’Europe donnerait ainsi un signal positif à toute l’opposition démocratique en Turquie.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Angel Dzhambazki
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: BG

Е как едновременно, колеги, Ердоган Ви е стратегически партньор и го критикувате тук за нарушаване на човешките права. Едно от двете е вярно, не могат да бъдат верни и двете. Затова това, което трябва да се направи, е да се прекратят празните приказки тук и да се вземат истински действия. Това означава санкции, означава прекратяване на преговорите за членство, защото Турция не е европейска държава, както знаем, означава най-сетне да се види истината и да се действа. Другото, пак казвам, са празни приказки.
Debate: Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience
Date: THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 2021
Speaker: Özlem Demirel
Political group: The Left
Country: Hungary
Language: DE

Ja, Demirtaș und unzählige andere sind Geiseln. Sie sollen mundtot gemacht werden. In der Türkei geht es um die Frage: Demokratie oder Autokratie? Derzeit finden unzählige Treffen zwischen Vertretern der EU und der Türkei statt. Selbstverständlich braucht es in internationalen Beziehungen den Dialog. Doch es braucht auch Transparenz. Deshalb frage ich: Was hat Heiko Maas besprochen? Was konkret verhandelt heute Herr Borrell mit Herrn Çavuşoğlu? Werden weiterhin geopolitische und ökonomische Interessen die EU-Türkei-Beziehungen bestimmen, oder nimmt die EU endlich eine klare Position an der Seite von Demokratie und Menschenrechten ein? Selahattin Demirtaș, Gültan Kışanak, Osman Kavala und viele, viele andere politische Gefangene müssen endlich freigelassen werden!