unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Pernille Weiss
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: DA

Hr. formand! Skal EU have et asylagentur i stedet for det nuværende og såkaldte asylstøttekontor?  Mange - der helt naturligt bekymrer sig for den øgede tilstrømning af illegale migranter og mange af de problemer, der desværre er i alt for mange medlemslande på grund af fejlslagen integration af asylberettigede og returnering af dem, der hverken har et beskyttelsesbehov eller er kommet ind ad den rigtige dør til det europæiske arbejdsmarked - vil helt sikkert stille flere bekymrede spørgsmål. Hvis EU nu laver et asylagentur og hermed professionaliserer og forbedrer samarbejdet om asylområdet, skaber det så flere udfordringer? Udfordringer, som på sigt kan ødelægge det Europa, vi kender og gerne vil give videre til de næste mange generationer? Ja, det er spørgsmålet.  Den yderste højrefløj her i salen vil påstå det, for det er jeres position - uanset hvad pokker der er på dagsordenen - at nære mistroen til EU i det hele taget. Det samme, men med modsat fortegn, vil den yderste venstrefløj sige, for de vil også gerne vil af med EU og smide Europa ned i den multikulturelle blender som et skridt mod det globale, kommunistiske Nirvana. Ingen af parterne vil få ret, men indtil vi ser det, kan jeres påstande være med til at ødelægge det konstruktive samarbejde, som kan få agenturet op at køre, så det kan få ryddet op i alle de huller og fejl, der er i den nuværende måde, som asylbehandlingen foregår på rundt omkring i EU.  For lige nu fungerer det jo ikke! Og forandringer, der kan beskytte Europa mod migrationernes negative og direkte farlige elementer, går alt, alt for langsomt. Der kommer alt for mange alt for nemt ind i EU, og alt for mange kommer alt for langsomt ud af EU igen. Det er dén udfordring et stærkt og proaktivt asylagentur langt bedre kan klare, end det nuværende støttekontor, som er fra tiden, hvor flygtninge- og migrationspresset på EU havde en størrelse og en alvor, der var til at overskue. Der er vi desværre ikke i dag.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Łukasz Kohut
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Pan poseł Brudziński preferuje zdecydowanie tytuł „Cześć wujku”. Ale do sedna. Od początku XX wieku z mojego regionu, ze Śląska, jedni ludzie uciekali, a inni szukali w nim schronienia.  Po II Wojnie Światowej było podobnie: wielu wyjechało do Niemiec, gdy inni, ze wschodniej Polski, przyjeżdżali do nas. Dlatego my, Ślązacy, dobrze rozumiemy, jakim dramatem jest ucieczka, pozostawienie rodzinnych stron, swojego hajmatu, opuszczenie domu. Dziś w obliczu poważnych wyzwań migracyjnych i humanitarnych, w tym wykorzystania uchodźców jako broni przeciwko Unii przez reżim Łukaszenki, nasza europejska odpowiedź musi być skuteczna, oparta na solidarności i na rozwiązaniach wspólnotowych. Ustanowienie Agencji Unii Europejskiej ds. Azylu, wyposażonej w dodatkowe środki i kompetencje, to propozycja utrzymana właśnie w tym duchu.  Zgodnie z projektem wzmocniona agencja będzie skutecznym narzędziem wsparcia w sytuacjach kryzysowych dla państw członkowskich i będzie zaangażowana w monitorowanie poszanowania praw podstawowych i gwarancji ochrony dzieci w różnych częściach UE. Jestem przekonany, że tylko wspólnie możemy stawić czoło wyzwaniu migracyjnemu i nim zarządzać, szanując przy tym prawa człowieka. I chociaż partia rządząca dziś w Polsce nie jest zainteresowana taką współpracą i ignorowała europejskie rozwiązania w tym zakresie, chcę Was zapewnić, że wielu ludziom w moim kraju zależy na działaniu skutecznym i humanitarnym.  Wierzę, że razem uda nam się zreformować wspólny europejski system azylowy, bo za kilka lat czeka nas ogromna migracja klimatyczna. To dopiero będzie prawdziwe wyzwanie.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Silvia Sardone
Political group: ID
Country: Austria
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, come sempre l'Europa risulta più interessata a far arrivare immigrati piuttosto che a difendere i nostri confini. Avete pensato a un'Agenzia per favorire assistenza operativa nella gestione dell'accoglienza e nella valutazione delle domande di protezione internazionale, ma così rischiate di aumentare la burocrazia e anche i costi per i paesi di primo arrivo. Insomma, avete creato l'ennesimo carrozzone. L'Italia è da anni costretta a sobbarcarsi da sola, nel silenzio dell'Europa, il carico di una immigrazione irregolare sempre più inaccettabile. Invece di lavorare per limitare le partenze, voi continuate a portare avanti politiche che spingono sempre più immigrati a entrare illegalmente in Europa. L'immigrazione clandestina è un danno per tutta l'Europa. Noi proponiamo una gestione rigorosa delle frontiere esterne, sia terrestri che marittime, e chiediamo centri di identificazione dei migranti nei paesi di transito del Nord Africa. Voi come rispondete? Rispondete con tanta ipocrisia e con un buonismo ridicolo, favorendo solo i trafficanti di uomini. Quando finalmente sarete in grado di aprire gli occhi?
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Tom Vandenkendelaere
Political group: PPE
Country: Austria
Language: NL

Voorzitter, Commissaris, collega’s, we zetten een belangrijke stap vooruit met deze overeenkomst over een nieuw volwaardig Europees Asielagentschap. Het signaal dat we met deze oprichting geven, is niet mis te verstaan. We tonen ons aan de ene kant solidair met de lidstaten in de frontlinie, maar aan de andere kant tonen we ons ook solidair met diegenen die bescherming nodig hebben.  Voor de EVP blijft het een absolute prioriteit om een duurzaam, fair en geharmoniseerd asielstelsel voor Europa te creëren. Het Europees Asielagentschap is een eerste belangrijke bouwsteen in dit proces en zal een tastbaar verschil maken voor de lidstaten, zowel onder normale omstandigheden als wanneer ze onder druk staan, en wel op vier manieren: 1. Dankzij een grote pool aan deskundigen zullen lidstaten kunnen rekenen op meer operationele steun en technische bijstand om sneller en eerlijker asielbeslissingen te nemen; 2. Het zal mensen die internationale bescherming vragen ook effectief beter beschermen door efficiëntere asielprocedures te kunnen toepassen; 3. Het zal de gaten dichten tussen de lidstaten en meer convergentie creëren op het vlak van opvangnormen. Dit zal de onevenredige druk waaronder sommige EU-landen staan verlichten; 4. Tot slot zal het Agentschap ook een cruciale rol spelen om het Europees asiel- en migratiebeheer te verbeteren door informatie over migratiebewegingen veel sneller onder elkaar te kunnen uitwisselen. Het Agentschap zal in een notendop de samenwerking tussen lidstaten en derde landen versterken, en ook op die manier bijdragen aan de solidariteit tussen de lidstaten en de algemene externe dimensie van de EU.  Het compromis over het EU-Asielagentschap stemt mij ook hoopvol omdat we eindelijk vooruitgang kunnen boeken in de onderhandelingen over het migratiepact. Het Europees Parlement zal er bij de lidstaten op blijven aandringen om constructief te onderhandelen over dit hervormingspakket voor een sterker en efficiënter EU-migratiebeleid.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Gianantonio Da Re
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, secondo la proposta di regolamento relativo all'Agenzia dell'Unione europea per l'asilo, la nuova Agenzia avrà il compito di fornire ulteriore assistenza operativa e tecnica agli Stati membri, oltre che di garantire una maggiore uniformità nella valutazione delle domande di protezione internazionale. Questo punto però presenta una criticità: i paesi di primo arrivo, quali Italia e Grecia, rimarrebbero ancora una volta i soli responsabili per il trattamento delle domande di asilo e i soli, quindi, a dover fronteggiare oneri logistici e burocratici legati all'accoglienza. L'accordo raggiunto non ha affrontato il punto cruciale legato alla politica migratoria dell'Unione europea, ovvero la mancanza di condivisione e responsabilità di tutti gli Stati membri. Non servirà a nulla potenziare questa Agenzia se mancano le regole in materia di solidarietà. Italia e Grecia non possono essere lasciate sole!
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Stelios Kympouropoulos
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Mr President, dear colleagues, the European Union is based on the principles of unanimity, solidarity and cooperation. We share the same values and aims of securing joint responsibility. The Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is founded on mutual minimum standards for asylum procedures. Despite the consecutive progress on the CEAS, there are still significant inequalities between the Member States in the granting of international protection offered at the Union level. The reception conditions and the system for determining the Member States responsible for asylum seekers. In order to better address these inequalities and ensure international protection for asylum seekers, we should aim at two distinct actions: first, it is crucial to engage and provide guidance on the situation in the specific countries of origin, and that asylum seekers are able to access international protection in a safe region, as close as possible to their origin. This would enable them to be closer to their place of origin and their identity while tackling the problem, which is huge. Secondly, in case that this does not succeed, it is urgent to ensure a sustainable and fair distribution of certain obligations among Member States while strengthening practical cooperation among them.  We need to promote Union law and operational standards to ensure a high degree of uniformity as regards asylum procedures and protection needs across the Union. In particular, increased operational and technical support should be provided to those Member States whose systems are subject to disproportionate pressure.  The creation of the European Union Agency for Asylum could empower the role of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), boost the implementation of CEAS and ensure a stronger presence in the operations of each Member State.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Bernhard Zimniok
Political group: ID
Language: DE

Herr Präsident, werte Kollegen! Die EU will eine Asylagentur einrichten, um „Mitgliedstaaten in Krisensituationen zu unterstützen“. Worauf das hinausläuft, ist ganz offensichtlich. Es geht darum, Asylbewerber schneller zu verteilen und deren Anträge zu beschleunigen. Machen wir uns nichts vor! Die unkontrollierte Einwanderung, die in der EU zu zahlreichen Terroranschlägen, unzähligen Morden und Vergewaltigungen geführt hat, wird dadurch nur fortgeführt. Was wir wirklich brauchen, ist eine Abschiebeagentur. Das zeigt der Fall Gambia deutlicher denn je. Die gambische Regierung weigert sich, abgelehnte Asylbewerber zurückzunehmen. Eine Abschiebeagentur könnte in so einem Fall in Verhandlung mit dieser Regierung treten und entsprechende Sanktionen beim Scheitern der Verhandlungen verhängen. Das könnten Sanktionen gegen Regierungsmitglieder, wirtschaftliche Sanktionen, Stopp der Entwicklungshilfe und so weiter sein. Die Abschiebeagentur könnte die Logistik und Organisation von Rückführungen übernehmen. So würde man wirkungsvoll die Interessen der eigenen Bevölkerung vertreten, aber nicht mit der geplanten Asylagentur. Diese ist nur Teil der geplanten für Europa zerstörerischen Migrationspolitik.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Tomislav Sokol
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: HR

Poštovani predsjedavajući, povjerenice, kolegice i kolege, još uvijek se dobro sjećamo migrantske krize iz 2015. kada su milijuni ljudi stigli u Europsku uniju tražeći ovdje međunarodnu zaštitu. Činjenica je da EU u tom trenutku nije imao dovoljno razvijen sustav azila koji bi uspješno odgovorio na izazove pred kojim su se države članice našle. U okolnostima u kojima su geopolitičke prilike u svijetu mijenjaju i u kojima se može očekivati povećan pritisak migranata na vanjske granice Unije, ključno je pružiti zajednički europski odgovor temeljen na humanosti i solidarnosti, ali i odgovornosti. To podrazumijeva poštivanje europskog prava te sprečavanje nezakonitih migracija.  Europa neće riješiti sve svjetske probleme toleriranjem masovne, nezakonite imigracije na svoj teritorij. To svima treba biti jasno. Nužno je stvoriti okvir za suradnju s trećim državama kako bismo smanjili pritisak na izvoru, posebno na području Sredozemlja i jugoistočne Europe koji su najviše izloženi.  Ova tema mi je izuzetno važna budući da dolazim iz Hrvatske, države članice koja štiti najdulju vanjsku granicu Europske unije. Pri tome naglašava da Hrvatska to čini u potpunosti sukladno europskom i međunarodnom pravu. Kako bi se izbjegle bilo kakve sumnje u tom smislu, osnovan je nezavisni mehanizam nadzora postupanja policijskih službenika. Nažalost, već dugo traje ideološki motivirano širenje dezinformacija na ovu temu od strane pojedinih zastupnika, a to smo čuli i danas.  Ovim vam putem poručujem, koliko god puta ponovili laž ona neće postati istina. Zato podržavam osnivanje ove agencije i pozivam na odlučnu reformu zajedničkog europskog sustava azila kako bismo zaštitili europski način života.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Othmar Karas
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Herr Vizepräsident, Frau Kommissarin, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Flucht und Migration bleiben auch für die kommenden Jahre ganz oben auf unserer Agenda, und das nicht trotz Corona und Klimawandel, sondern vor allem wegen Corona, wegen des Klimawandels, wegen zunehmender Gewalt, wegen der erhöhten Konfliktbereitschaft auf unserer Erde. Wir ringen als Europäische Union immer noch um einen neuen, echten gemeinsamen Asyl- und Migrationsplan. Das ist eine Schande! Und wir haben noch immer keine gemeinsame Außen-, Sicherheits-, Verteidigungs- und Entwicklungspolitik. Heute können wir uns aber über einen kleinen Schritt der Verbesserung freuen. Aus dem bisherigen europäischen Unterstützungsbüro wird eine vollwertige Agentur für Asylfragen. Sie bietet allen Mitgliedstaaten rechtliche, operative und praktische Unterstützung an – von Schulungen für schnellere und bessere Asylverfahren bis zur Kooperation bei der Neuansiedlung, ja und auch bei einer gemeinsamen Kontrolle und beim Monitoring. Es bleibt aber noch viel zu tun. Wir dürfen dabei auch nicht den Blick auf das Ganze und die Einhaltung unserer Werte aus dem Auge verlieren. Es kann und darf in der europäischen Flüchtlingsdebatte kein Entweder-oder geben. Wir brauchen selbstredend die Hilfe vor Ort, eine sichere Außengrenze, aber wir müssen vor allem auch das Recht auf Asyl für jene Menschen gewährleisten, die vor Verfolgung, Terror und Gewalt flüchten. Die Agentur für Asylfragen ist ein wichtiger Baustein. Nützen wir diesen Anlass, um auch die anderen Baustellen endlich zu beseitigen und zu Lösungen beizutragen. Europa braucht endlich eine neue gemeinsame, entschlossene Asyl- und Migrationspolitik, die unverrückbar und von unseren gemeinsamen europäischen Werten und der lückenlosen Einhaltung von internationalem und europäischem Recht getragen ist.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Stella Kyriakides
Language: EN

During the ten years since its establishment, the European Asylum Support Office has developed into a true centre of expertise and is a key actor in the field of asylum in Europe. The adoption of the EU Asylum Agency Regulation will considerably reinforce its mandate and give the agency a solid legal base to provide the technical and operational support to Member States. This guidance and support are needed much more in a situation where political instability, economic hardship and climate change continue to trigger major displacements worldwide and migration towards Europe.  This is another key step forward on delivering the pact, and it shows that the EU can compromise on migration and asylum. Let this inspire us.
Debate: European Union Agency for Asylum
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Elena Yoncheva
Country: Czechia
Language: FR

Cet accord est une première étape, mais nous devons également nous assurer que le nouveau mandat sera mis en œuvre dès que possible et que toutes les nouvelles possibilités seront utilisées au maximum. J’ai la ferme conviction qu’avec l’accord, nous répondons d’une manière très efficace aux attentes toujours croissantes du soutien sur le terrain. Je suis convaincue qu’avec sa fonction améliorée et son nouveau mandat, l’Agence pour l’asile deviendra une agence de premier plan, qui portera le soutien en matière d’asile à un niveau supérieur. Aujourd’hui, nous devons nous assurer que l’Agence recevra les ressources humaines et financières nécessaires pour respecter son nouveau cadre juridique, parce que nous avons besoin d’une Agence vraiment forte, et nous avons besoin d’elle maintenant. Encore une fois, merci pour votre soutien et votre confiance. Aujourd’hui, chers collègues, nous sommes en train de construire les bases de la solidarité en Europe, car les pays qui sont en première ligne, comme la Bulgarie, la Grèce, l’Italie, Malte ou l’Espagne ne peuvent assumer seuls toute la responsabilité. J’espère que nous verrons bientôt des accords similaires conclus dans d’autres dossiers liés à l’asile et qu’à la fin de la législature actuelle, nous aurons entièrement réformé le système d’asile européen, un système d’asile que nous méritons.
Debate: Human rights situation in Myanmar, including the situation of religious and ethnic groups
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Loránt Vincze
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Colleagues, our role today is to send a very clear signal to the world, especially the states in the regions and international organisations. The truth is that Myanmar (Burma) is the stage of one of the world’s longest ongoing civil wars. The military junta’s rule from 1962 until 2011 was marked by the most brutal crimes and human rights abuses. One decade ago, the hope with which the Burmese and the world greeted the rise of Aung San Suu Kyi to power proved to be misplaced. Her rule was also marked by continued abuse and severe persecution of smaller ethnic and religious groups.  Unfortunately, in recent months, things have turned even worse under military rule, in such a short time. Since the coup, more than 1 100 people have been killed, over 8 000 people arrested, and over 300 people have been sentenced, a number of them to death, including children, with others dying in custody or being subject to torture. This year alone, over 200 000 people have been internally displaced, while over 3 000 000 are in need of humanitarian aid. The Rohingya has been the most severely impacted ethnic group over the past seven decades. The situation of other ethnic and religious communities is no better. They are the subject of direct attacks by the army or attacks by the main population that are sanctioned or even encouraged by the army. As a Christian and democratic group, we witnessed with horror the human rights abuses in Kachin and northern Shan states, where the majority of Christians live and where churches have recently been raided, priests and pastors have been arrested, and military troops have set up camps in church compounds. One of the most recent examples of Christian persecution is the murder, three weeks ago, of a 31—year—old pastor, Cung Biak Hum, in Chin State, who was shot dead as he tried to extinguish the blaze from a house fire caused by military artillery. Such terrible events pose the risk of an even greater escalation of violence and a larger humanitarian emergency.  The recognition of the National Unity Government by the UN General Assembly as the legitimate representative of the will of the people would be a first step in restoring the basic principles of democracy. Should the elected government be restored, much more sustained effort would be needed to transition to a true democracy and a tolerant society in Myanmar. As stated in the resolution, we must, therefore, use all the EU, UN, ASEAN and other international means at our disposal to avoid the loss of innocent women’s, men’s and children’s lives, and to ensure that everyone in Myanmar can enjoy the right to their identity and belief without fear of persecution.
Debate: Human rights situation in Myanmar, including the situation of religious and ethnic groups
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Evin Incir
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Additionally, the humanitarian crisis is worsening every day. More than 210 000 people have been internally displaced only this year; 3 000 000 people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid, and approximately 20 000 000 people risk living below the poverty line. With these deteriorating circumstances, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights now warns the situation in the country is at serious risk of escalating into a widespread civil war. The international community has to step up its demand for an immediate end to the military junta and its violence towards the civilian population, including all ethnic and religious minorities, such as the Rohingya. Colleagues, let us ensure that silence is not an option and action becomes a reality. We must continue to implement targeted sanctions against those who are behind the coup earlier this year, those people, entities and companies behind human rights violations and those responsible for crimes against the Rohingya. EU companies must ensure that they by no means support the military junta to conduct their human rights violations, directly or indirectly. In line with the wishes of the people of Myanmar, we must also support the National Unity Government as the only legitimate representative.
Debate: Human rights situation in Myanmar, including the situation of religious and ethnic groups
Date: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Urmas Paet
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Torture is widely used, and the United Nations special rapporteur has indicated that the junta’s widespread systematic attacks against the people of Myanmar, likely amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes under international law. This crisis has been worsened due to a severe economic crisis and the COVID—19 health care crisis. Health care workers are attacked, health facilities destroyed or medical equipment confiscated. Plus, the Rohingya issue – the Rohingya ethnic minority are continuously targeted and denied their existence by the same Tatmadaw that oversaw the mass atrocities committed against Rohingya since 2017. The human rights violations must stop immediately. Prisoners must be released. The European Council must continue to impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for the coup and those responsible for the atrocities against Rohingya and other citizens of Myanmar.