unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Hannah Neumann
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

That’s a privilege our activist and politician colleagues in the Philippines do not have. My friend, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Ressa, faces dozens of lawsuits, so—called SLAPP cases made up just to intimidate her. And only yesterday she was once more denied to travel outside of the country. My training partner in the Parliamentarian solidarity programme of this Parliament, Sarah Elago, is being attacked. It means the government initiates campaigns against her to brand her as communist, as terrorist, even her minor siblings are drawn into it, with their pictures all over fake news sites. And we know that these kind of attacks lead to also attacks in real life and sometimes even murder. The Philippines, the country that was once known for the most vibrant civil society in Asia, has seen more than 220 killed human rights defenders in the last six years. Maria Ressa often says democracy dies by a thousand cuts. Frankly said, this country has seen more than one thousand cuts. In May, there will be presidential and parliamentary elections. They could bring about change if only the process behind it were free and fair. The EU has offered to send an election observation mission. I want to thank EAS for that. But the Philippine government has bluntly ignored this request. It’s important now that the EU delegation, but also the embassies of all Member States, do everything they can to support local election observations and raise problems that they observe with the Philippine authorities. And it is important, and all my colleagues have underlined that, that we send a clear signal to any new government. If the human rights situation in the Philippines does not improve significantly, the country’s special privileges under the GSP+ scheme will be revoked. We have a very broad majority in the Parliament behind this. Last time, dear Commissioner, you ignored it. We will not let this happen again.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Miguel Urbán Crespo
Country: Belgium
Language: ES

Quienes se oponen al Gobierno son señalados como combatientes y, en muchas ocasiones, esto deriva en persecuciones y asesinatos. Agencias estatales, como el Grupo Operativo Nacional, para acabar con el conflicto armado comunista local, están encargadas de llevar a cabo estos señalamientos que terminan con asesinatos como el de Tripon. Los sindicatos son perseguidos de tal manera que la gente no se atreve ni a sindicalizarse. Y así una larga lista de violaciones de derechos humanos que, aparentemente, no son suficientes para que la Comisión suspenda los privilegios otorgados en el marco del sistema de preferencias generalizadas: cinco declaraciones en este Parlamento. Un sistema que, en teoría, está condicionado a la aplicación de veintisiete convenios de derechos humanos y laborales que, claramente, en Filipinas no se cumplen. Exigimos la suspensión del sistema de preferencias generalizadas y un embargo de tecnología que sirva para la represión del pueblo filipino. Toda nuestra solidaridad con el pueblo filipino.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Platí to, co říkali zde kolegové. Já si pamatuji, také jsem byl účasten, že toto bohužel není první debata, kterou zde vedeme ohledně zvěrstev režimu současného prezidenta. Ta situace se bohužel nezlepšuje. Naše dosavadní slova končila tím, že jsme přijali usnesení, ale evidentně současný prezident a jeho vláda žádné změny v tomto směru nechystá. Ba naopak, dochází k dalším negativním posunům. Nepadlo tady ještě to, že současný režim na Filipínách odstoupil od Mezinárodního trestního tribunálu, to znamená naopak je zde snaha vyhnout se tomu, aby tato mezinárodní justiční organizace přezkoumala porušování lidských práv na Filipínách a odpovědnost současného prezidenta a jeho vlády.  Ta situace je velmi vyhrocená a my bychom měli jasně říci, že pokud toto bude pokračovat i po prezidentských volbách, tak to bude mít dopad na vzájemné hospodářské vztahy. Na jedné straně dochází k flagrantnímu porušování lidských práv na Filipínách. Na druhé straně se posiluje obchod mezi Evropskou unií a Filipínami, a to zkrátka není normální a není to přijatelné pro nás. Takže moc prosím, aby nezapadlo to, co říkali někteří moji kolegové, že pokud situace se nezlepší ani po volbách, které proběhnou na jaře tohoto roku, nedojde k vyšetřování těch tisíců mimosoudních vražd, pak musíme omezit přístup Filipín na náš vnitřní trh. Není možné zde o tom pouze takto řečnit a nečinit nic, protože to potom opravdu je ztráta času. Takže děkuji za návrh usnesení a prosím Komisi, aby v případě, že bude přijato, což bude, byly vyvozeny z toho důsledky.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Not even foreigners, who are throwing light on the government and its policies are able to move freely in the country, or even enter. I visited the Philippines in 2018, together with my friend, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Party of European Socialists but, to my surprise, he was deported back to Belgium just because of a statement made a couple of months before. The Duterte regime must constantly be reminded that the world is watching, and we must never let ourselves be silenced, because what is going on right now is impunity of the worst kind. I hope that we will get rid of the horrific Duterte era in the upcoming elections, but for that to be possible, free and fair elections must be ensured. The International Criminal Court, at the same time, must continue its work on the investigations of crimes against humanity in the context of the killings during the war on crimes.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos
Political group: Renew
Country: France
Language: ES

Ha pasado un año desde la masacre de Tumandok, en la que las Fuerzas Armadas de Filipinas entraron en las casas de nueve dirigentes indígenas y los asesinaron a sangre fría. Las familias, la sociedad, esperan justicia, pero es imposible, porque en la Filipinas de Duterte la impunidad ha sido ley, y los intentos de buscar los hechos, buscar a los culpables ha sido imposible. Duterte ha hecho gala de no cooperar con la Corte Penal Internacional. Ha convertido la obstaculización a la justicia en eslogan electoral de esta campaña. Por eso, en este contexto, es muy difícil pensar que las elecciones se realicen en un contexto de libertad. Por eso, la Unión Europea debe acompañar en estas elecciones a los observadores locales y, por eso, señora comisaria, debemos suspender el sistema de preferencias generalizadas. Debemos hacerlo ya, porque si no, la Unión Europea muestra una complacencia con esta violencia, con la represión de los derechos humanos de la población civil que hoy aquí estamos denunciando. Por eso creo que debemos suspenderlo ya, que debemos también apoyar claramente desde aquí el papel de la Corte Penal Internacional. La única garantía internacional para que dirigentes de los Estados puedan responder ante sus actos y no esconder en la alfombra de la soberanía nacional sus crímenes, como intenta hacer Duterte.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Heidi Hautala
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Since 2014 the Philippines has enjoyed tariff preferences under the GSP+ system. The EU is the fourth-biggest trading partner with the Philippines. However, the GSP+ scheme is up for review with the current arrangement coming to its end in 2023. Now, the EU must see a steep positive curve in the Philippines’ human rights situation to be able to accept its possible reapplication to the scheme by 2024.  We demand an immediate end to extrajudicial killings, an end to red-tagging human rights defenders, journalists, trade union activists. The war on drugs is to end immediately.  However, it is not only the GSP+ that is at stake. The EU is also increasing its requirements on companies’ human rights conduct throughout their value chains. Respect for human rights will be a key factor for any business in Europe making their sourcing decisions. It is only wise to consider creating enabling conditions for business to operate in an environment free of human rights or labour rights violations.  Effective implementation of international human rights standards and fundamental ILO conventions will be a prerequisite for a trade deal to be concluded with the EU.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Joachim Kuhs
Political group: ID
Country: Greece
Language: DE

Die Philippinen sind ein Inselstaat, ganz weit weg von uns. Können wir hier wirklich eingreifen? Können wir hier wirklich Dinge verändern? Ich frage Sie von der Kommission. Wenn Sie etwas tun können, dann müssen Sie es tun, dann sollten Sie es tun.  Aber bitte prüfen Sie genau: Wen werden diese Maßnahmen treffen? Denn dort leben über 100 Millionen Menschen auf diesen vielen Inseln, und die können nichts dafür, dass sie so einen Präsidenten haben. Die können ihn natürlich abwählen, klar, aber Sie wissen alle: Das funktioniert da nicht so, wie es bei uns vielleicht funktioniert. Und deshalb bitte ich ganz inständig, prüfen Sie genau: Wenn Sie denn diesen privilegierten Status, den Marktzugang, wenn Sie den schließen sollten, wen treffen Sie dann letztendlich wirklich? Das ist die Frage, die alles entscheidende Frage. Und ansonsten müssen wir leider zugeben: Wir können wenig tun. Wir müssen uns auch in einer gewissen Weise sagen: Wir können uns nicht einmischen und wollen uns auch nicht einmischen in Dinge. Wenn es uns selbst hier in der Nähe im Westbalkan nicht gelingt, zum Beispiel rechtsstaatliche Prinzipien durchzusetzen nach 20 Jahren – das hat der Rechnungshof in einer Studie festgestellt –, wenn uns das hier nicht gelingt, wie soll es uns dann auf den Philippinen gelingen? So bleibt letztendlich nur die Hoffnung, dass die Söhne nicht den Sünden ihrer Väter folgen und dass sie vielleicht ein besseres Regime abgeben.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Ryszard Czarnecki
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: PL

Myślę, że to, co dzieje się na Filipinach, wymaga naszej uwagi, bo jest to kraj, który ma wiele związków, także kulturowych, a nawet religijnych, z Europą. To, że dzisiaj władza tego kraju walczy z handlarzami narkotykami, przekraczając prawo (o czym mówi nasza wspólna rezolucja), jest efektem tego, że poprzednie władze tego kraju nie przywiązywały w sposób skuteczny uwagi do tego wielkiego wyzwania i wielkiego problemu w tym kraju. Natomiast z całą pewnością warto szukać tego, co łączy. Pamiętajmy o współpracy z tym krajem, pamiętajmy jednocześnie o wartościach, które są wspólne.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Maria Arena
Political group: S-D
Country: Belgium
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, on l’a dit, le président Duterte, en se justifiant à coups de lois antiterroristes, antidrogue ou anticommunistes, a créé un environnement propice aux attaques contre les défenseurs des droits humains et un climat de totale impunité. L’approche des élections aux Philippines laisse craindre l’augmentation des efforts pour faire taire les voix de la dissidence. Or, l’Union européenne continue à octroyer aux Philippines des préférences commerciales renforcées dans le cadre du SPG+. Ce statut, on le sait, dépend de la mise en œuvre de conventions internationales sur les droits de l’homme, que les Philippines devraient respecter et se sont engagées à respecter. Dans son rapport d’évaluation sur le SPG+ couvrant la période 2018-2019, la Commission a exprimé sa vive inquiétude concernant la situation des droits de l’homme aux Philippines. Alors, combien de résolutions d’urgence et combien de rapports d’évaluation devront être publiés, et, surtout, combien de défenseurs devront encore perdre la vie pour que nous bougions? J’exhorte donc la Commission à engager immédiatement la procédure de retrait des préférences commerciales accordées aux Philippines. Nous devons arrêter d’être complices des violations massives des droits de l’homme dans ce pays.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Ernest Urtasun
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Belgium
Language: EN

Mr President, the human rights situation in the Philippines has gravely deteriorated under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. Between 12 000 and 30 000 people, including women and children, have reportedly been killed in the context of his ‘war on drugs’ campaign since 2016. According to prominent NGOs working in the field, this campaign could be considered as a crime against humanity carried out with near total impunity. On the other hand, at least 146 human rights defenders and 22 journalists have been killed since 2016, as well as trade unionists, indigenous people and environmental activists. The government has so far failed to ensure independent and effective investigations and prosecutions against the perpetrators of those crimes. In a climate of deteriorating media freedom and internal repression, the upcoming presidential elections in the country are at risk of not being held safely and democratically. In this regard, we regret that the Philippine authorities have not invited the EU to conduct an election observation mission. A robust response is needed to reverse the downward trend of human rights in the country. The EU should suspend the GSP+ system without further notice until the human rights situation in the country improves significantly. The EU should stand on its core values and denounce the massive violations of human rights and support all mechanisms for accountability of the perpetrators of those violations while ensuring the reparations of the victims.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

During last year’s first Sub—Committee on Good Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under our Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the EU called on the Philippines to address extrajudicial killings, provide remedies for victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The EU also raised concerns about restrictions of civil space, including reported attacks against human rights defenders, trade unionists and journalists. The Philippines recognised its obligations to respect freedom of opinion and expression, including journalists’ freedom of information. The Government also agreed on the need to protect human rights defenders and enable their work, in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. We will continue to press for this declaration to be fully implemented in practice. There are also grave violations of labour rights with continued reports of extrajudicial killings of trade unionists and violations of fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions on child labour. Intimidation and persecution of trade unionists impedes effective implementation of all fundamental ILO Conventions. We reiterate to the Government its human rights and labour rights obligations related to its commitments under the EU’s Special Incentive Arrangement, the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). A GSP+ monitoring mission will go to Manila shortly, providing an opportunity to engage government and civil society directly. The EU welcomes the UN—Philippines joint programme for cooperation on human rights, signed last July, and will provide financial support for its implementation, including on domestic accountability mechanisms. Finally, next week marks the fifth anniversary of the imprisonment of Senator Leila de Lima. She will have spent five years in pre-trial detention, yet is standing again in the country’s general election. As former President Benigno Aquino said, if injustice could be done to Leila, a sitting senator, injustice could be done to anyone. So today we salute the Senator’s courage. Her rights to due process must be respected.
Debate: The recent human rights developments in the Philippines
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Tomasz Piotr Poręba
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: PL

Umowa o partnerstwie i współpracy z Unią Europejską obowiązuje już czwarty rok i może być skutecznym instrumentem wywierania wpływu na władze w Manili, aby podjęły zdecydowane kroki na rzecz polepszenia sytuacji. Przede wszystkim należy ukrócić bezprawne działania grup paramilitarnych oraz zapewnić, że walka z narkotykami prowadzona jest zgodnie z przepisami prawa krajowego oraz międzynarodowymi standardami. Ludzie odpowiedzialni za masowe mordy powinni zostać osądzeni. Rządzący muszą też dołożyć wszelkich starań, żeby zaplanowane na maj wybory prezydenckie były wolne i uczciwe, a pozytywne zmiany, o których wspomniałem wcześniej – kontynuowane. Moim zdaniem powinniśmy optować za spokojną i rzeczową rozmową z władzami Filipin.
Debate: The death penalty in Iran
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Javier Zarzalejos
Country: Croatia
Language: EN

It’s a moral imperative that the European Union, with its High Representative at the helm, leads a strong response to the Iranian regime. The response must be followed by the commitment of all its Member States. A response that needs to include further targeted sanctions if necessary, and must include also a UN mission on the ground and an independent investigation into the violations of human rights in this country.  And let me say that I wonder if we are being too generous to the Iranian regime because when we speak of the death penalty, even with unreserved rejection of it as this is the case, I mean it suggests that previous judicial procedure, some kind of  legality. That is not the case. In fact, there is no death penalty in Iran. There are sheer executions: state murder as a form of crime against humanity.  Look at the appalling repression, enforced disappearances and massive executions of political dissidents in the 1988 massacre and notice that there has been no investigation or accountability for these crimes that involve the current leader of Iran in a prominent role.  Look at the horrifying record of Iran in executions: at least 275 last year, including 10 women and two child offenders. We cannot turn a blind eye.  The European Union is not just another voice in the international arena. The European Union is in a unique position to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and has a unique responsibility to do so. No other political community in the world carries the moral authority and the credibility to demand the end of this inhumane, irreversible and cruel punishment.  We take pride in our human rights standards. We demand respect for the rule of law. Well, we have to live up to the values we hold so dear. Respect for life is not a privilege, it’s a basic right. And where and when this right is violated in such an abhorrent and massive manner, those who suffer – and it is the case of the Iranian people – are entitled to expect from us our solidarity, our support, our awareness and our help.
Debate: The death penalty in Iran
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Jytte Guteland
Language: SV

Det finns ingen empiri för att dödsstraffet fungerar avskräckande. Tvärtom visar forskningen på det motsatta. Mellan åren 2009 och 2020 har Iran avrättat minst 67 ungdomsbrottslingar. 85 ungdomsbrottslingar är för närvarande dömda till döden. I Iran används fortfarande dödsstraffet mot hbtq-personer. Medieuppgifter gör gällande att två män nyligen avrättats och även om det inte har bekräftats från källor i Iran, så har det hänt tidigare. Jag hoppas att det här är falska nyheter förstås, men landet har verkställt sådana här domar.  Det finns inget humant sätt att avrätta en människa. Det finns bara brutala och ännu brutalare metoder. I Iran används hängning som avrättningsmetod. Till skillnad från andra länder, som använder avancerade anordningar för att bryta nacken med hängning, använder Iran enkla anordningar som orsakar död genom strypning. Offret kan plågas i upp till 20 minuter innan dödsögonblicket.  I somras förhandlade jag Europaparlamentets resolution om den svenske medborgaren Ahmadreza Djalali som dömts till döden i Iran. Återigen, han måste omedelbart friges så att han kan återvända till sin familj.  Dödsstraffet grundar sig på en medeltida människosyn. Upplysningens humanitära ideal bidrog till avskaffandet av dödsstraffet i Europa. En majoritet av världens stater har vänt ryggen mot dödsstraffet för gott. Jag hoppas att Iran är redo att göra detsamma. Fram till dess att Iran infört ett moratorium för dödsstraffet, vill jag uppmana EU att ta fram riktade sanktioner mot iranska regeringspersoner som är inblandade i utdömandet av dödsstraffet. Det är dags för Djalali att få komma hem.
Debate: The death penalty in Iran
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Ernest Urtasun
Country: Belgium
Language: EN

Today, we call again on Iran to fulfil its international obligations by abolishing the death penalty and implementing its human rights commitments. We also urge the immediate release for all unjustly jailed human rights defenders. As we speak, crucial negotiations are undergoing in Vienna to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Even if the scope of these talks do not include a dialogue on the situation of human rights in Iran, the two are deeply interlinked. A successful negotiation of the JCPOA will provide the basis for the peace and development needed for a more stable country that over time improves the prospects for all Iranian citizens who, we shouldn’t forget, have been the most affected by COVID and the economic sanctions. We need more dialogue with Iran, not less. The EU and other actors have already adopted a number of sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations in Iran. Exercising further pressure has to go hand in hand with general political engagement, as some groups in this Parliament are advocating for. And this will, in a certain moment, help us as well to improve the situation of human rights in the country. The EU should continue to monitor and raise human rights matters in the context of the EU—Iran high—level dialogue and reiterate that respect for human rights is a core component in advancement of EU—Iran relations. It is in our interest to support the talks, to return to the JCPOA, also to have more leverage to improve the human rights situation in the country.
Debate: The death penalty in Iran
Date: THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Speaker: Susanna Ceccardi
Country: France
Language: IT

Ho negli occhi le immagini di un video scioccante, dove un marito che decapita la moglie diciassettenne, accusata di adulterio, gira per le strade sorridendo, esponendo la testa come un trofeo. In Iran, un uomo che uccide la figlia di 14 anni rischia otto anni di carcere; una donna che si toglie il velo ne rischia fino a 24. Ieri ho incontrato due donne coraggiose, che fanno parte dell'opposizione al regime iraniano, e mi hanno donato questo bellissimo libro. Mi hanno raccontato cose sconcertanti...