unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Andrzej Halicki
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: PL

Był czas na misję wysokiego szczebla, co proponowało PPE i proponował w swojej rezolucji Parlament Europejski. Dziś możemy apelować tylko o konferencję polityczną wysokiego szczebla. Ale polityka sankcji, sankcji personalnych, gospodarczych, zakazu importu towarów takich jak produkty naftowe, nawozy czy drewno musi być zdecydowana i bardziej stanowcza. Tak, niebo musi być zamknięte dla białoruskich samolotów. Musimy uruchomić naszych dyplomatów, by brali udział w procesach więźniów politycznych. Wśród tych 460 ludzi jest ponad 30 dziennikarzy, torturowanych i prześladowanych.  Musimy pomóc mediom białoruskim, tym niezależnym, bo białoruskie społeczeństwo odcięte jest od informacji. Mamy portale Nexta, TUT.by, one wymagają naszego wsparcia. I jest takie jedno miejsce dla Łukaszenki – myślę o Trybunale w Hadze. Mam nadzieję, że ten dyktator tam skończy, bo sprawiedliwość musi zwyciężyć. Wolność zwycięży na pewno.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Robert Biedroń
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: PL

Dzisiaj przyjmujemy wyjątkową rezolucję, kolejną rezolucję, która ma na celu zwrócenie uwagi, że nie mamy do czynienia z jakimś politykiem, któremu pomyliła się demokracja z autorytaryzmem. Mamy do czynienia z ostatnim dyktatorem Europy. Z człowiekiem, który podniósł rękę na swoje społeczeństwo. Z człowiekiem, który tutaj w Europie, na kontynencie, na którym zrodziły się demokracja i prawa człowieka, tworzy nam Koreę Północną.  Unia Europejska nie może się Panie Komisarzu temu biernie przyglądać. Unia Europejska musi w końcu podjąć zdecydowane działania i w tej rezolucji te działania są zawarte. Musimy także wysłać społeczeństwu obywatelskiemu na Białorusi jasny sygnał, że oprócz sankcji dzisiaj, teraz i w najbliższych miesiącach będziemy mieli także plan wsparcia dla opozycji białoruskiej, tak żeby nie została sama, żeby ta nadzieja, którą noszą dzisiaj jeszcze w sercu, nigdy nie zgasła.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Political group: Renew
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

Isolation of Belarus, which neither belongs to the Council of Europe nor to the WTO, continues. All political capital of Lukashenko depends on deep integration with Russia and Putin’s considerations.  Lukashenko continues his terrorist-type games. First by launching the Astravets nuclear power plant with disregard to the EU stress test recommendations. Then by hijacking the commercial aircraft and kidnapping two of its passengers. Currently, by facilitating the illegal migration of third-country nationals to Lithuania and Poland, as well as smuggling of cigarettes to the European Union. We are unlikely to stop Lukashenko and Putin from violating sovereignty of Belarus in attempts to form a so-called union state. But we must justify the expectations of the Belarusian people towards the European Union and contain the Lukashenko regime by imposing broad sectorial sanctions. In addition, the European Union should initiate and host a high-level conference on the future of democratic Belarus, not only pledging, but providing real-time support to democratic civil society of Belarus.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: DE

Das Niederschlagen der Proteste durch den eigenen Diktator ist das eine, aber dass diese Proteste, wie ihr Streben nach Demokratie, keinen unmittelbaren Rückhalt in der EU fanden, war für viele fast noch schlimmer, und das lag nicht nur an der Sommerpause in Brüssel. Mit der Ermordung von Roman Bondarenko am 12. November durch Lukaschenkos Schergen wurde ein neuer Tiefpunkt erreicht, eine weitere rote Linie überschritten. Auch hierauf folgten nach längerer unwürdiger Debatte nur einzelne Sanktionen gegen Menschen aus dem Umfeld von Lukaschenko. Während der Terror und die Einschüchterung durch das Regime in Belarus an Tempo zunahmen, verlangsamte die EU das Tempo der Gegenmaßnahmen. Immer wieder war aus vielen Hauptstädten zu hören, dass es im Grunde ein Bedürfnis nach dem
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Susanna Ceccardi
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: IT

In questa situazione la Russia ha perso l'occasione storica di prendere le distanze da un alleato sempre più impresentabile. L'amichevole meeting a Sochi tra Putin e Lukashenko rende la posizione di Mosca scomoda viste le malefatte del dittatore bielorusso. Ma c'è un altro attore in questa scena, di cui si parla troppo poco: la Cina. Nella lista delle nazioni che al Consiglio di Sicurezza dell'ONU non hanno condannato il dirottamento del volo mancano proprio Russia e Cina.  Per Pechino la Bielorussia è un corridoio strategico nell'ambito della Via della Seta, la via di penetrazione politico-commerciale usata come una clava dal partito comunista cinese. E del resto, solo pochi giorni fa, la Cina, tramite il suo ambasciatore a Minsk, ha lodato il governo bielorusso, senza dimenticare che, nel bel mezzo delle proteste di piazza, Xi Jinping fu il primo presidente straniero a congratularsi con Lukashenko per aver vinto le contestatissime elezioni del 2020.  La Bielorussia è per la Cina la porta di ingresso in Europa centrale, e le relazioni commerciali tra i due paesi sono in costante aumento, mentre la Lituania, che ha capito cosa si nasconda dietro la Via della Seta, ha abbandonato il gruppo di contatto tra Cina e paesi dell'Europa centro-orientale.  Oltre a bloccare i voli dalla Bielorussia, azione finalmente coraggiosa e incisiva, l'Unione europea dovrebbe bloccare i convogli ferroviari cinesi in arrivo dalla Bielorussia. Sarebbe un segnale fortissimo per il dittatore di Minsk e per i suoi supporter cinesi.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

This airplane belonging to Ryanair was from a formal point of view a Polish airplane, and the other regular incident – provocation – was also against one of the opposition leaders in Russia, but also in Polish airplane. That means that we have to stay extremely vigilant, extending pressure on both Lukashenko and Putin to cooperate with the international community, with international society, abandoning aggressive behaviour. These are the only societies and these are the external neighbours.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Helmut Scholz
Political group: The Left
Country: Luxembourg
Language: DE

Meine Fraktion verurteilt die Zwangslandung des  Wir fordern die unverzügliche Freilassung von Roman Protasewitsch und Sofia Sapega sowie aller Journalistinnen und Journalisten und politischen Gefangenen, die im Zusammenhang mit den Protesten festgenommen werden und wurden. Die Menschenrechte, einschließlich der Presse- und Meinungsfreiheit, des Rechtes auf Streik und der Versammlungsfreiheit, sind uneingeschränkt in Belarus zu achten und zu garantieren – eine Voraussetzung für jegliche Nachbarschaftspolitik, überall. Und Lukaschenka muss das verstehen. Die Politik von ihm untergräbt die grundlegenden Normen und Werte der belarussischen Gesellschaft und ihren Zusammenhalt. Und hier, glaube ich, muss ein Neuanfang einsetzen. Auch wir in der EU müssen unsere Politik in diesem Konflikt überdenken. Eine vierte Umdrehung der Sanktionsspirale wird eine Änderung der Situation im Land kaum kurz- und mittelfristig bringen – und sie trifft die gesamte Bevölkerung.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, "sono colpevole, ho complottato per rovesciare Lukashenko, ma ora capisco che Aleksandr sta facendo la cosa giusta e lo rispetto". Cosa deve avere subito, quali violenze devono essere state inflitte a Protasevich per pronunciare queste parole sulla TV di Stato? Cosa patiscono ogni giorno lui e i 460 prigionieri politici nelle carceri bielorusse?  Cari colleghi, l'inaccettabile dirottamento del volo Atene-Vilnius non è stato un atto di forza del dittatore Lukashenko, bensì un segno di debolezza, una mossa disperata che auspico e credo possa segnare l'inizio della sua fine politica. Nonostante la feroce repressione della società bielorussa, donne e uomini coraggiosi, ai quali vanno tutta la mia stima e il mio appoggio, non sembrano infatti volersi rassegnare a subire i suoi diktat.  Invito quindi il Consiglio ad adottare quanto prima nuove dissuasive sanzioni in grado di colpire il regime, ma non la sua popolazione, e sposo pienamente le dichiarazioni della Presidente Von der Leyen e il piano di aiuti predisposto per accompagnare una transizione veramente pacifica e democratica nel paese.  Tutto quello che desiderano i bielorussi è pace e libertà, ed è nostro dovere morale come europei fare tutto il possibile affinché il loro sogno si avveri.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Andrius Kubilius
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, there are four points which I want to raise in my intervention.  First, why did Lukashenko decide that he could go for state terrorism action with the hijacking of a Ryanair flight? Because he decided that he would stay unpunished in the same way that he is still not punished for his crimes against the Belarusian people. On sanctions, the news is that next week the EU will approve sanctions only on seven persons and one entity. It’s really not enough. There is a need for justice now, not when the regime collapses. An international conference on the Belarusian crisis should be initiated immediately with one of the goals to establish an international tribunal for Lukashenko’s crimes. Second, Putin remains the sole supporter of Lukashenko, and that is the only reason why Lukashenko is able to continue with his crimes. In return, Putin wants to finalise the creeping annexation of Belarus. The West must loudly indicate that it is prepared to impose the strongest sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin refuses quickly to retract its support for the criminal Lukashenko regime and if the Kremlin does not abandon its plans to realise an illegal annexation of Belarus.  Third, on 16 June, a meeting of Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin is a good opportunity to relay a unified message from the West to Putin’s regime: hands off Belarus or face sanctions! Fourth, after reviewing all the European Union institutions in my mind, I cannot find anybody who could be described as a leader who takes 24/7 responsibility to solve the Belarus crisis, and the same can be said about the EU Member States. We need to resolve this leadership problem.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Pedro Marques
Political group: S-D
Country: Czechia
Language: EN

Madam President, I will keep it plain and short. The Belarusian authorities, upon the direct order of Alexander Lukashenko, definitely went too far this time. Not only has the Belarusian regime systematically violated freedom of the press, democratic values and human rights, but now it has also violated European security, demonstrating that the Belarusian regime has become a threat to international peace and security. Hijacking an airplane, a European airplane, is an act of terrorism – and terrorism is a serious crime. The European Union must not tolerate such behaviour, and we commend you, High Representative, for the strong and fast response that you showed here, showing Lukashenko that his actions have consequences. Targeted economic sanctions to affect those responsible for the repression and the survival of such a regime must be implemented immediately. Assuming the EU’s role in the world starts at our own borders, and it is our role to protect our security, but also peace, democracy and respect for human rights.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Karin Karlsbro
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: SV

Fru talman! Vi har gång på gång talat om situationen i Belarus. Vi har pekat på de brott mot mänskliga rättigheter som Lukasjenka och hans regim begår dagligen mot sitt eget folk, men detta handlar också om Europa. Vi måste fortsätta att visa Lukasjenka att EU aldrig kommer att acceptera det förtryck och den terror vi nu ser. Men tiden för att bara tala är förbi – EU måste reagera och vi måste agera resolut.  När Lukasjenka som en terrorist med hjälp av militär kapar europeiska flygplan för att gripa journalister som sedan torteras är måttet rågat. Det kan inte ske ostraffat. Ekonomiska sanktioner är viktiga och skickar en tydlig signal, vi ska sätta hårt mot hårt. Det är uppenbart att Lukasjenka inte längre har någon som helst respekt för det internationella systemet, men han måste nu förstå att EU menar allvar. Alla åtgärder måste nu upp på bordet, och jag vill veta vad kommissionen avser att göra ytterligare.  Samtidigt måste man vara vaksam mot Rysslands inblandning i detta. Det är ingen hemlighet att Lukasjenka sitter i Putins ficka. Men vårt budskap här i dag är kristallklart: de politiska fångarna måste friges och fria val måste hållas i Belarus.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, we blocked some oligarchs from buying more properties on our soil. We made sure that Belavia wouldn’t bring more money to Lukashenko’s regime. We welcome Belarusian opposition in our countries. That is all important and good. Yet we are forced to watch Raman Pratasevich cry, obviously having been tortured before. He is two years younger than me! And we watch this as some sick ransom video, but without the possibility to actually pay the ransom and help him. But do we really not have it? Did we use every tool we have? Do you think that Lukashenko will survive without European money?  Belarus is already dependent on Russia. Let’s not believe Lukashenko’s lies about how our strong action will push him closer to Putin. He is cradled in his arms as close as he could get, and there is no one else in the country so strongly attached to Putin. Colleagues, Belarusian citizens’ society functions even under Lukashenko. They will do better without him.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Witold Jan Waszczykowski
Political group: ECR
Country: Romania
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Mówię po polsku, abym był lepiej słyszany za wschodnią granicą. Otóż Łukaszenka jest już 27 lat u władzy, przez tyle więc, 27 lat świat i Unia są bezradne. Czy nie mamy środków do karania? Nie. Są te środki, nie mamy po prostu woli. Mamy po prostu wymówki: bo Łukaszenka to za mały gracz, bo to za mała gospodarka, bo za nim stoi Putin. A więc musimy przedstawić plany działania przeciwko Łukaszence.  Po pierwsze, plan wsparcia dla opozycji. Musi się spotkać z kampanią informacyjną w naszych mediach i docierać do Białorusinów. Jedna fotografia Pratasiewicza na lotnisku to za mało. Potrzebne są granty dla opozycji, związków zawodowych, wsparcie dla ofiar, masowe programy leczenia, finansowanie dla wyrzuconych, izolacja Łukaszenki. Zacznijmy od procesów przeciwko Łukaszence we własnych krajach, aby doprowadzić do Trybunału Sprawiedliwości. I wreszcie potrzebne są wspólny front i przywództwo. Wykorzystajmy wizytę prezydenta Bidena w Europie do stworzenia takiego wspólnego frontu.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Márton Gyöngyösi
Political group: NI
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, while the Belarus opposition was celebrated as freedom fighters by the EU’s public and its exiled leaders were received at the highest level, the EU’s foreign policy remains ambiguous. Ms Tsikhanouskaya got hardly more than a pat on the shoulder and nice words, while Lukashenko uses more and more violent methods against demonstrators at home. Mr Borrell, after so many months, we still don’t see a clear foreign policy strategy and clear answers to the question. How can we sanction the Lukashenko regime in a way that doesn’t harm the ordinary citizens and which strengthens the opposition and stops Belarus from drifting closer and closer to Russia? Are we willing to undertake reforms in the EU decision-making to make our foreign policy responses quicker and more articulate than they are now? And if so, what are these reforms? Unfortunately, in any of the current resolutions I don’t see the answers to these questions.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Siegfried Mureşan
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, the people of Belarus have been fighting for freedom for more than 300 days. Three hundred days since the Lukashenko regime has been using all its force against peaceful protesters and brutally persecuting those imprisoned. We saw it publicly in one case but it is happening to hundreds of innocent people every day. We all know that Lukashenko forged the elections, committed crimes against his people and continues to torture, silence and repress those who seek democracy.  The aircraft hijacking demonstrated that as long as there is one single dictator on earth we are all in danger and that we must show solidarity with the people of Belarus. The EU response was quick, but more is needed. We have to broaden sanctions to include more of Lukashenko’s circle and businesses to harm the regime, not the people. We have to cut all Lukashenko’s funding, put Belarus on the UN Security Council agenda and also on the G7 agenda and do all we can to obtain the immediate release of political prisoners.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Maria Arena
Political group: S-D
Country: Belgium
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Haut Représentant, je ne peux que vous soutenir dans les efforts que vous déployez pour sanctionner le régime autoritaire de M. Loukachenko. Vous avez aussi parlé du futur, le futur de la reconstruction de ce pays, et cela me semble important aussi de se projeter dans l’avenir. Et pour cet avenir, il sera nécessaire, bien entendu, de poursuivre les auteurs de violations des droits de l’homme, mais aussi de le faire savoir, de créer ce tribunal ad hoc et de collecter les preuves de violations des droits de l’homme qui sont en train de se faire aujourd’hui dans le pays. Mais, pour revenir au présent, je me pose la question de comment rendre possible l’accès médical aux personnes qui aujourd’hui sont détenues en prison. Comment rendre possible l’accès à ces personnes dans les prisons, parce que je pense qu’elles sont effectivement victimes de violations. Elles sont aussi victimes de tortures. Et là aussi, nous aurons besoin de témoins.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Michal Šimečka
Political group: Renew
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Madam President, dear colleagues, it’s now been a year that Belarusians have been peacefully demonstrating for change and as the Lukashenko regime employs ever more violent tactics to suppress them, their struggle has become ever more legitimate, ever stronger, and their courage ever more admirable.  But now, what is new, and what few of us have been expecting, is how much of a threat the regime in Belarus would pose to European security and European citizens more broadly. Obviously, with the hijacking and kidnapping of Raman Pratasevich, the dictatorship in Belarus has demonstrated that it is not just illegitimate at home, but also unfit to command international recognition. The EU must do everything to sanction, isolate and deprive the oligarchs of their income, but without abandoning the Belarussian people, because in their struggle for democracy and freedom, they are the quintessential Europeans.
Debate: Systematic repression in Belarus and its consequences for European security following abductions from an EU civilian plane intercepted by the Belarusian authorities
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Patryk Jaki
Political group: ECR
Country: Slovenia
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Oczywiście znów, Szanowni Państwo, w tej izbie usłyszeliśmy to co zwykle, to znaczy że dla nas Białoruś jest bardzo ważna, dla nas ważna jest demokracja. Znów jest odgrywany teatr i udajecie Państwo, że nie wiecie, o co tak naprawdę w tej sprawie chodzi. Otóż nie chodzi o samego Łukaszenkę. To, co daje mu siłę, to jest jego protektor, to jest Putin. I otóż tak się składa, Szanowni Państwo, że zamiast osłabiać Putina wzmacniacie go. Na tej sali jest pełno osób odpowiedzialnych za budowanie narzędzi politycznego szantażu Putinowi takich jak Nord Stream 2 albo odpowiedzialnych za zaangażowanie w ten projekt, albo odpowiedzialnych za bezczynność w tej sprawie. I za każdym razem, kiedy Państwo pomagacie Putinowi, on otrzymuje sygnał, daje sygnał Łukaszence, że może tak postępować dalej, może dalej łamać prawa człowieka. I jeżeli chcecie wreszcie pomóc, naprawdę pomóc Białorusi, to przestańcie wreszcie apelować do wszystkich, nie wiadomo do kogo, tylko zaapelujcie wreszcie do siebie i zacznijcie w tej sprawie działać, bo najwyższy czas żeby zrobić porządek z panem Łukaszenką i żeby przestać pomagać Putinowi.