unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Sergey Lagodinsky
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President,  congratulations on your new function. First and foremost, let me, let us, express our condolences to those Kazakh people who suffered during the recent crisis. When I see the crowds looking for the bodies of their loved ones, my heart weeps tears. When I see the demolished streets of Almaty, hear the voices of people who are scared, my heart weeps tears. So, we must express our solidarity with the Kazakh nation, and this is the starting point of any discussion about the current situation or about the future of the country.  But I would also like to express hope. Hope that the new government and the president of this wealthy and large country would use this crisis for a chance – not to grab power, but a chance to introduce reforms; reforms for law-enforcement authorities based on civil rights and political reforms based on freedom and pluralism, and yes, foreign policy reforms based on a vision of Kazakhstan as a truly independent country in the region – a country facing Europe and European values, and yes, the green reforms that this country started in order to rid itself of the dependency on fuels that it has.  There are many hopes that we share. These weeks will decide whether these hopes will ever materialise. You, President Tokayev, have a chance to prove to us all, everyone who spoke today, that we are wrong about our fears. We are waiting for a sign from you.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Maximilian Krah
Political group: ID
Country: Greece
Language: DE

Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Als ich den Entschließungsentwurf gelesen habe, habe ich mich schon gewundert, als ich von friedlichen Demonstrationen las. Denn tatsächlich sind Regierungsgebäude in Flammen aufgegangen, sind Polizeibeamte geköpft worden und waren die Demonstrationen schwer bewaffnet. Woher kamen die Waffen? Wir haben es also schon mit einem bewaffneten Aufstand zu tun gehabt. Ich muss erst einmal feststellen, dass, wenn es zu einem bewaffneten Aufstand kommt, es dann das Natürlichste in der ganzen Welt ist, dass die Sicherheitsbehörden versuchen, den auch schnell wieder mit Waffengewalt zu ersticken. Genau das ist geschehen. Und es ist schnell über die Bühne gegangen. Und es war auch nicht so, dass russische Truppen an der Front gestanden hätten, sondern sie haben rückwärtige Einrichtungen geschützt. Insofern taugen die Geschehnisse in Kasachstan weder dazu, das übliche Russland- Das Interessante ist aber, dass wir immer schnell im Verurteilen sind, ohne dass wir eine Analyse vornehmen. Tatsache ist, dass sich die kasachische Regierung seit Monaten und Jahren bemüht, neben ihrer geografischen Eingrenzung zu China und Russland auf der einen Seite und den ethnischen Kontakten zur Türkei auf der anderen Seite auch Kontakte zum Westen aufzubauen, und dass sie sich deshalb auch öffnet und dass es Reformen gibt. Die Botschaft, die wir jetzt senden, ist, dass wir sie schulmeistern, dass wir nicht versuchen, beide Seiten zu hören, und dass wir letztlich diese Bemühungen konterkarieren. Und diese Botschaft wird auch an alle zentralasiatischen Republiken gehen. Man wird sagen: „Mit den Europäern können wir nicht zusammenarbeiten, weil wenn hier irgendetwas passiert, was wir nicht wollen, dann werden wir von oben herab geschulmeistert. Man bedroht uns mit Sanktionen. Lassen wir es sein!“ Und genau deshalb kann ich Sie nur – wie ich das ja häufig zu tun habe – daran erinnern, dass es an der Zeit ist, zur Diplomatie zurückzukommen, zum Ausgleich, zur Partnerschaft, zum Zuhören, und dass die Zeiten, wo Europa den Rest der Welt schulmeistert und nach seinen Maßstäben beurteilt, Gott sei Dank vorbei sind. Kasachstan verdient eine Chance – aber eine, die die Realität berücksichtigt, und nicht eine, die meint, alles müsse so laufen wie in der Europäischen Union. Gott sei Dank muss es das nicht.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Michiel Hoogeveen
Political group: ECR
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

Mr President, Kazakhstan is a country on a geopolitical tightrope. The Russian Federation and China on the one hand, the West on the other. After the end of the Cold War, Kazakhstan inherited the world’s fourth-largest nuclear weapons arsenal. It denuclearised and is now mainly reliant on Russia for its security. On the other hand, the EU has grown to become Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner, and it is one of our major energy suppliers. May Kazakhstan be a lesson: a strong hike in energy prices fuels protests against the government, and we need to think strategically and look out for the interests of the EU and its citizens. An extra hike in energy prices is something our citizens cannot afford. As the EU, we need to benefit from a stable and reliable Kazakhstan. In that respect, sanctions or meddling in the domestic affairs of Kazakhstan will only come back to haunt us.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Seán Kelly
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Mr President, the unprecedented protests in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the year saw some of the deadliest violence in the country’s post-Soviet history. Sparked by an almost 90% jump in car fuel prices in the oil-rich west of the country, protests spread with surprising speed as citizens across the country rose against the regime simultaneously. During clashes, security forces received orders to shoot live ammunition and, declaring a state of emergency, the President called for help from a Russian—led military bloc. Since last I spoke on the harsh restrictions imposed on the rights to peaceful assembly in Kazakhstan almost a year ago, little has changed for the better. The violent unrest that began with peaceful protests has left an estimated 225 people dead. Shocking. Arrests of activists continue and the regime appears determined to crush this movement. The crimes against civil society and human rights in Kazakhstan demand a firm response from the EU. It is time to impose personal sanctions against leaders involved in the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations. The EU, together with the international community, must immediately initiate a proper investigation into the crimes committed and the disappearance of citizens during the two weeks of rallies. We must demand that the Kazakh authorities release all political prisoners and completely withdraw foreign troops. Since the country’s independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has been an important partner to the EU. It would be nice if it were possible for this to continue for the benefit of the lovely Kazakhstan people.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhor Presidente, num país como o Cazaquistão, que vive amordaçado há três décadas, com as liberdades cortadas, dominado por um regime cleptocrático e corrupto que se eterniza e marcado por uma profunda desigualdade, era inevitável que a revolta popular acabasse por tomar as ruas, como já tinha acontecido em 2011.  Sejamos claros, isto que aconteceu não é novo e era previsível. O uso desproporcionado da força contra manifestantes pacíficos e as reais motivações do desenvolvimento dos acontecimentos não podem passar, mais uma vez, sem uma investigação internacional independente, que deve ser liderada pela OECE no âmbito do Mecanismo de Moscovo. É isto que os familiares das vítimas destes incidentes nos estão a pedir, não declarações piedosas e condolências. Estão a pedir-nos uma investigação clara sobre o que aconteceu e estão a pedir-nos que àqueles que foram detidos não lhes aconteça o mesmo que aconteceu a Vladimir Kozlov em 2011, que ficou vários anos detido na prisão e vários anos sob tortura e tratamento desumano e degradante.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Ilhan Kyuchyuk
Political group: Renew
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Mr President, I would like to pass on my congratulations to Madam Commissioner. The European Parliament always stands for democratic values. We cannot ignore the tragic events that took place in Kazakhstan earlier this month. Kazakhstan is a strategic partner in Central Asia, and we have always welcomed positive developments in this country. But, at the same time, we act rightly to any violations of human rights there. And yes, innocent citizens protested for a better social economic life. But why these protests quickly spread violence, anarchy, that led to military intervention by a third country, killing dozens and violating human and fundamental rights, is a question that should be raised. Therefore, I do believe that we must give Kazakhstan time to explain to us the reasons for the terrible tragedy and how the country plans to further implement its own promises. Kazakhstan should carefully examine every fact and launch a full—scale and transparent investigation into the events.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Tatjana Ždanoka
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Mr President, it will take a lot of time to investigate deeply the events of January 2022 in Kazakhstan but, nevertheless, our Parliament has once more assumed the role of judge.  I have several questions in connection with the proposed resolution. When urging the Kazakhstan authorities to refrain from applying charges of terrorism too broadly, is our Parliament not applying too broadly such definitions as ‘activist’ or ‘religious organisation’? Do we properly distinguish between peaceful protesters and those who used violence and committed crimes? Why, when saying that a number of international journalists’ offices came under attack by the state forces, did we turn a blind eye to the effects of the burning down of the buildings of major Kazakh TV channels and the international channel MIR by armed groups of well-trained men? Are we not selective when mentioning the names of several political prisoners, but forgetting cases no less famous? As a member of the Central Asia Region Parliamentary Cooperation Committees (PCC) and a former vice—chair of this delegation, I ask for respectful dialogue with Kazakhstan.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Ivo Hristov
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: BG

Г-н Председател, през последните 30 години Казахстан преживя преход от социалистическа към неолиберална икономика, довел до огромна концентрация на богатството в ръцете на шепа хора. Ощетените излязоха на улицата и днес оплакваме невинни жертви. Протестите, избухнали в началото на тази година, са резултат от тази несправедливост - факт, който властите в Нурсултан признаха официално. Мълниеносната ескалация на мирните протести и израждането им в насилие и вандализъм обаче говорят за задкулисни интереси, които паразитират върху справедливия гняв, включително и радикални салафитски елементи.  В случая с Казахстан Европейският съюз не бива да допуска грешката, която допусна в Сирия. Не бива да се произнасяме прибързано по социален конфликт, който крие риск от политическа и дори религиозна радикализация. Надявам се специалната правителствена комисия, натоварена с разследването на трагичните събития, да предостави убедителни факти, които да ни позволят да формулираме нашата принципна позиция, в интерес на бъдещите ни отношения с Казахстан и неговия приятелски народ.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Christophe Grudler
Political group: Renew
Country: Hungary
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, la situation au Kazakhstan m'inquiète fortement. Quel chef d'État peut justifier de tirer sans sommations sur ses ressortissants? Il ne s'agit pas de remettre en cause la souveraineté du président Tokaïev. Le Kazakhstan est un État libre et souverain.  Mais quelles que soient les raisons de la colère de l'État, je ne peux accepter la méthode employée. Je ne peux supporter que le peuple kazakh soit pris pour cible à balles réelles par son propre dirigeant. Qui peut l'accepter? Je demande par ailleurs que la lumière soit faite sur les nombreuses disparitions et arrestations effectuées par le gouvernement kazakh. J'imagine la souffrance que doivent ressentir les familles des personnes disparues.  Le président Tokaïev doit fournir des réponses, et si les réponses ne sont pas claires et acceptables, je demande que des sanctions exemplaires soient prises contre le Kazakhstan et que tout échange commercial ou diplomatique soit rompu avec ce pays jusqu'à nouvel ordre. Un pays qui ne respecte pas les droits humains n'a pas le droit de commercer avec l'Union européenne et ses États membres.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Engin Eroglu
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Sehr geehrter Herr Präsident, sehr geehrte Frau Kommissarin, meine sehr geehrten Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Lassen Sie uns hier über das Wesentliche reden! Wir hatten Unruhen in Kasachstan, und erneut – wie fast jeden Monat – sind erhebliche Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit auf diesem Globus passiert. In Kasachstan wurde ohne Vorwarnung auf Demonstranten geschossen, und über 200 sind verstorben. Ja, richtig, viele Tausende dieser Demonstranten, Frau Kommissarin, sind friedliche Demonstranten gewesen. Es haben sich auch Plünderer unter die Demonstranten gemischt – das wissen wir, das sehen wir in den Bildern. Und vielleicht war auch ein kleiner Bruchteil der Demonstranten gewalttätig. Aber was nicht geht, ist, auf eine Bevölkerungsmenge mit scharfer Munition zu schießen – eine erneute Übertretung der roten Linie. Frau Kommissarin! Das Parlament, der Rat und die Kommission müssen hier mit aller Gewalt auf Kasachstan einreden, aber auch Kasachstan nicht in die Arme von China und Russland treiben. Wir müssen Kasachstan gemeinsam einen Weg zu Freiheit und Demokratie aufzeigen, und das ist die Aufgabe, die wir jetzt bewältigen müssen.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Vlad Gheorghe
Political group: Renew
Country: Spain
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, de săptămâni întregi în Kazahstan se moare pe străzi. Cel mai mare protest de la căderea U.R.S.S. a fost înăbușit violent, deși cetățenii manifestau pașnic. Sunt peste 10 000 de arestați, câteva sute de uciși.  Să avem curajul să spunem evidența: este aceeași rețetă ca în Ucraina, ca în Belarus, ca la protestele din Rusia. Știm vinovații, știm și miza. Să nu protejăm libera exprimare și chiar dreptul la viață, să ignorăm provocările de la granițele noastre, este greșit moral, dar și strategic! Nu doar statele membre estice sunt amenințate, ci întreaga construcție europeană.  Dacă stăm și acum deoparte, vom pierde respectul cetățenilor noștri, invităm dușmanii la noi în casă, deși atacul lor a început de ani buni, prin propagandă, fake news, prin interpuși care să submineze democrațiile europene din interior. Până acum Europa le-a răspuns doar cu conferințe, discursuri și cafele. E timpul să acționăm ferm și unit, să fie clar tuturor cine este liderul în regiune!
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Stella Kyriakides
Language: EN

The picture emerging is that well—armed and trained violent groups hijacked what began as peaceful protests. However, their exact identity and motivations remain unclear. It is possible that those groups were associated with some security paramilitary forces, which would indicate that their formation and existence was covered up by some security structures. There could also be a link to a past struggle related to the succession and access to resources between the circles related to the former president and President Tokayev. At this stage, we cannot rule out that external forces have also been involved in the events. According to official sources, initially, almost 10 000 people were detained, but many have been freed in the meantime. Two hundred and twenty-five people have been killed in the events, including 19 security officers, and almost 5 000 people have been injured. Approximately 2 030 troops were deployed for the first time in the CSTO’s history, with Russia sending by far the largest number. The withdrawal of the CSTO troops, which began on 13 January, has been completed today, according to the latest news. An official investigation of the events has begun. At this point, the complexity of the crisis merits a cautious interpretation and reaction. It is probably too early to draw conclusions about the EU’s future policy towards the country. There are still many open questions, including about the origin, identity and motivation of the attackers. In our exchanges with the authorities, we called for a full, transparent and independent investigation into the events, including on human rights violations. Peaceful protesters should not be treated like criminals. In this regard, we note the statement by President Tokayev that participants in peaceful demonstrations should not be prosecuted. We expect the results of the investigation into these dramatic events to be shared with us in a transparent manner. President Tokayev has committed to important social economic reforms. However, we call on Kazakhstan to continue with political reforms and democratisation and we continue to support these reforms as an integral part of our enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Dita Charanzová
Political group: Renew
Country: France
Language: EN

This is all happening in a country with a partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU. We must step up our engagement with Kazakhstan, and show that if concrete advances in human rights and democracy do not take place, there will be consequences for the agreement and sanctions to those violating human rights. High Representative, the events of these weeks have brought suffering, fear, and instability. The people of Kazakhstan want change and a better future, and we must be there for them.
Debate: Situation in Kazakhstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Pedro Marques
Political group: S-D
Country: Czechia
Language: PT

Se isso não bastasse, os recentes acontecimentos vieram evidenciar ainda mais o clima de repressão em que se vive no país, o desprezo pelos mais elementares direitos e pela própria vida humana. Exigimos, por isso, a realização de uma investigação internacional independente aos mais recentes acontecimentos registados no Cazaquistão, onde, legitimamente, a população luta contra a realidade de opressão vivida no país.
Debate: Political crisis in Sudan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Situace v Súdánu je velmi napjatá, od října minulého roku, kdy byl svržen tamní premiér, probíhají permanentní protesty, armáda a policie tvrdě zasahují. Jsou zde desítky mrtvých a mnoho lidí nezvěstných. Opravdu ta situace je mimořádně napjatá. My jako Evropané, Evropský parlament nemůžeme mlčet. Musíme jasně podpořit ty, kteří chtějí žít ve svobodě a v demokracii. A to jsou občané Súdánu. Je třeba současně odsoudit armádu a její představitele v čele s generálem Abdalem Fattáhem Burhánem, že nerespektují vůli súdánské lidu a že takto tvrdě proti svým spoluobčanům zasahují. Jak víte, tak od roku 2019, kdy byl svržen tamní diktátor Umar al-Bašír, tato země postupně přichází k předčasným, mimořádným, ale strašně důležitým volbám, které měly podle dohody proběhnout v roce 2023. Problémy, které v Súdánu vnímáme od října minulého roku, bohužel šanci, že proběhnou tyto důležité volby, snižují. Jasně říkáme současnému vedení Súdánu, že trváme na tom, aby v Súdánu proběhly demokratické volby a aby si Súdánci vybrali, kdo povede tuto zemi, kdo je bude reprezentovat. Jasně říkáme, že kroky armády generála Abdala Fattáha Burhána jsou nezákonné, nelegitimní a že je odmítáme. Jasně také říkáme, že pokud armáda dál takto bude pokračovat, přijde o finanční podporu, kterou Evropská unie této zemi poskytuje. Prosím podpořte zítra v hlasování toto usnesení.
Debate: Political crisis in Sudan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Jytte Guteland
Language: SV

Efter Hamdoks avgång organiserades fredliga protester mot militärstyret, som i sin tur svarade med extremt våld. Enligt den europeiska utrikestjänsten har minst 70 människor avrättats sedan militärkuppen i oktober 2021. Säkerhetsstyrkornas sexuella våld mot kvinnor och flickor är särskilt avskyvärt. Människor fortsätter dagligen att riskera sina liv för grundläggande mänskliga rättigheter, mötesfrihet, demokrati och ett liv fritt från politiskt förtryck och korruption – rättigheter som vi tar för givna i Europa. Vår gemensamma resolution i Europaparlamentet fördömer militärens skoningslösa våld mot civilbefolkningen, attacker mot sjukhus, arresteringar av politiska aktivister och journalister samt nedstängningen av internet. Detta måste omedelbart upphöra. Straffriheten i Sudan måste stoppas och EU måste tillsammans med sina partner arbeta för att de skyldiga nu ställs inför rätta. Kommissionen och medlemsstaterna måste fullt ut använda sig av EU:s sanktionsmekanism i syfte att rikta sanktioner mot de ansvariga militära ledarna i Sudan. Ett EU-förbud måste införlivas mot försäljning av säkerhetsutrustning och övervakningsteknik till Sudan.  Jag vill med kraft uppmana EU:s höga representant för utrikesfrågor att säkerställa att unionens migrationspolitik inte undergräver unionens stöd för mänskliga rättigheter. Det finns en risk för att EU:s och medlemsstaternas samarbete med Sudan inom migrationsområdet används för att förfölja journalister. Det ligger i EU:s och medlemsstaternas intresse att främja en demokratisk, hållbar utveckling i Sudan. Det är dags att vi skrider till verket med det.
Debate: Political crisis in Sudan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Jan-Christoph Oetjen
Country: France
Language: DE

Wir im Europäischen Parlament stehen an der Seite der Menschen, die für Demokratie kämpfen. Wir als Europäisches Parlament stehen an der Seite der Menschen, die sich für Menschenrechte, die sich für freie Wahlen und bürgerliche Freiheiten einsetzen, und das tun wir auch im Sudan. Und deswegen fordern wir die militärischen Machthaber im Sudan auf, jedwede Gewalt einzustellen. Wir fordern sie auf, insbesondere die Gewalt, die sich in den letzten Monaten gezeigt hat, gegenüber medizinischen Einrichtungen beispielsweise, einzustellen. Denn das ist ein Verstoß gegen die Menschenrechte und die Menschlichkeit, den wir nicht hinnehmen wollen. Wir erwarten, dass der Weg wieder freigemacht wird für einen Prozess in Richtung einer zivilen Regierung, die freie Wahlen im Sudan vorbereitet. Insbesondere unterstützen wir die UN-Traditionsmission, die diesen Prozess und Dialog innerhalb des Sudans ermöglichen soll, damit der Sudan in der Zukunft in Freiheit und Frieden leben kann und die Menschen im Sudan eine bessere Zukunft für sich und ihr Land anstreben können.