unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Hannah Neumann
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

Madam President, first of all, I think we need to talk about language because these are not counter—sanctions. The European Union has sanctioned four Chinese human rights abusers. The Chinese have retaliated with sanctions on individual members of different parliaments – the whole Subcommittee on Human Rights, 27 Ambassadors and quite a number of think—tankers. This is a regime arbitrarily shooting a shotgun, targeting our freedom of expression, our freedom of research and our rights as Members of Parliament.  So I think it is important, as a consequence, that we also are very clear in our response as the European Parliament as a whole. As members of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, we can no longer travel to China. We can also not invite experts on China to our committee because they would equally face sanctions, and we cannot rely on the work of think—tankers because they are banned from going to China.  So, when it comes to the EU—China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) that China wants us to ratify, we may be able to discuss the economic dimension at length, but we are kept by China from discussing its effects on human rights.  I am not willing to let a foreign country dictate to me how to do my job as a Member of Parliament, and I don’t think any one of us should accept that. I’m not sure if we are clear on that across the board.  So, as long as any one of us is under sanctions, I think this Parliament should refuse to even start discussing the CAI, let alone ratify it, because our commitment to human rights, and our solidarity with the Uyghurs and the democratic movement in Hong Kong has to be more important than any potential economic effort or any potential economic benefit market access could have.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Manu Pineda
Political group: The Left
Country: Czechia
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, señorías, los aficionados al fútbol conocemos la figura del central tuercebotas, que se pasa el partido pegando patadas y codazos, y al que le dan un empujoncito y se tira al suelo y empieza a pedir tarjeta roja para el adversario.  Este Parlamento de una Unión Europea con bastantes vulneraciones de derechos fundamentales se pasa el tiempo condenando, entre otros, a la República Popular China por sus supuestas violaciones de los derechos humanos, y se lleva las manos a la cabeza cuando esta, en legítima reciprocidad, impone sanciones a algunos de sus miembros.  Los promotores de este debate buscan que la Unión Europea juegue el papel del central tuercebotas al que hacía referencia al principio.  Le pido al señor Borrell que, en nombre de la Unión Europea, pase la página de las injerencias en la soberanía de la República Popular China y haga una declaración llamando al trabajo conjunto en aras del mutuo beneficio de nuestros pueblos. Seguir con la actual política de guerra fría no beneficia ni a nuestros pueblos, ni a nuestros trabajadores, ni a nuestras empresas.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó
Political group: NI
Country: Portugal
Language: EN

Madam President, the unacceptable Chinese sanctions against members of this Parliament and several national parliaments are a continuation of its policy against human rights – a policy which it has been pursuing against people such as the Uyghurs and the Tibetans, against linguistic and cultural minorities like the Inner Mongolians, and against artists and political dissidents like Ai Weiwei, one of the most influential creators of our time. In the face of any crisis or challenge, the world asks for answers to the questions posed. If the questions are about quantum technology and 5G, then the answers are mostly expected from China, because this is the country that invests the most in these fields. But when the world wonders about democracy, the answers are not expected from China. They are expected from those who invest in it the most. And, in this area, the European Union, with all its imperfections and mistakes, is a world power. Now it’s our turn to give one of these long-awaited answers.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, Beijing não nos silenciará. Não nos silenciará na denúncia das detenções arbitrárias, do trabalho forçado, da pena de morte, da negação da liberdade de expressão ou associação ou do aborto forçado em Xinjiang e no Tibete. Não nos silenciará na denúncia da imposição da lei de segurança nacional e da violação dos direitos em Hong Kong, e da imposição da diretiva do amor pátrio à China em Macau, atentando contra a liberdade de imprensa consagrada na Lei Básica acordada com Portugal e em vigor no território até 2049. Os direitos humanos são universais, indivisíveis, e não são matéria exclusiva da política interna. Beijing tem que entender isto! E também não ficaremos em silêncio diante das atitudes provocatórias no Mar do Sul e ao largo de Taiwan. As sanções impostas contra cidadãos, instituições, membros deste parlamento e contra a própria Subcomissão de Direitos Humanos do Parlamento Europeu são um flagrante ataque à democracia. Não vergaremos, não capitularemos! O acordo de investimento com a China terá a nossa total oposição até que as sanções sejam levantadas. A China é um parceiro importante, mas os nossos valores não estão à venda. Para falarem connosco sobre comércio terão que falar de direitos humanos. Não deixaremos que uma ditadura nos dite as regras!
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Marie-Pierre Vedrenne
Political group: Renew
Country: Denmark
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, fermeté, solidarité, cohérence, détermination: quatre principes qui doivent nous guider. Fermeté: les États membres ont enfin imposé des sanctions contre des dignitaires chinois responsables d’exactions contre les Ouïghours et, n’oublions pas, contre les démocrates hongkongais. Nous ne pouvons et nous ne pouvions rester silencieux. Solidarité avec nos collègues visés par des mesures de représailles: nous défendons les droits de l’homme, des droits universels auxquels la Chine devrait souscrire. Et la Chine attaque la démocratie; c’est tout simplement inacceptable. Cohérence: il est impensable que nous imaginions pouvoir ratifier l’accord sur la facilitation des investissements entre l’Union européenne et la Chine. La levée des sanctions est une condition nécessaire mais pas suffisante; nous avons de nombreuses attentes auxquelles la Chine devra répondre. Détermination: ne baissons pas la garde, construisons notre autonomie stratégique, dotons-nous d’un arsenal législatif puissant pour répondre à toutes les attaques, qu’elles soient sur le terrain des droits de l’homme, qu’elles soient commerciales ou qu’elles soient économiques. Soyons, chers collègues, à la hauteur de la situation.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Sara Matthieu
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: NL

Voorzitter, collega's, eind vorig jaar sloot de Commissie in alle haast een investeringsakkoord met China, en dat onder sterke druk van Merkel en Macron. Die deal bezorgde het Chinese regime politieke winst, net op het moment dat het de democratische oppositie in Hongkong lamlegt, net op het moment dat er steeds meer nieuws naarbuiten komt over de dwangkampen waar miljoenen Oeigoeren als slaven in opgesloten zitten. In maart nam Europa bescheiden sancties tegen de Chinese ambtenaren die aan het hoofd staan van de Oeigoerse dwangkampen. Daarop volgden forse Chinese sancties tegen onze verkozen parlementsleden die de mensenrechten willen verdedigen. Het signaal is duidelijk. China wil Europa de mond snoeren, net zoals China in eigen land geen tegenstem duldt.  Voor mij, collega's, is het heel helder. Wij kunnen niet doorgaan met dit investeringsakkoord zolang er sprake is van mensenrechtenschendingen en sancties tegen parlementsleden. We moeten nu alle handelsmissies met China opschorten en onze regeringsleiders en onze staatshoofden moeten de Olympische Spelen boycotten.  Tot slot, collega's, laten we een écht alternatief bieden voor die Chinese wurgcontracten door te investeren via ons Europees herstelfonds.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Evelyne Gebhardt
Political group: S-D
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es ist eine Ungeheuerlichkeit, was in Xinjiang zurzeit geschieht mit der Bevölkerung der Uiguren. Diese Ungeheuerlichkeiten, die dort geschehen, sind endlich einmal auch wirklich wahrgenommen worden, auch vom Rat, indem wir gesagt haben und ganz klargemacht haben: Hier müssen Sanktionen gegenüber den Menschen getroffen werden, die verantwortlich sind für diese Ungeheuerlichkeiten. Und das ist gut so, und das ist richtig so, und das werden wir immer und immer wieder sehr klar und sehr deutlich sagen. Das gilt auch für die anderen Ungeheuerlichkeiten, die insbesondere in China geschehen. Dass die chinesische Regierung meint, die Menschen, die für Freiheit, für Gerechtigkeit, für Menschenrechte, für Grundrechte sich tagtäglich äußern – in der Welt, im Europäischen Parlament –, dass ausgerechnet solche Menschen dann sanktioniert werden sollen, das ist eine weitere Ungeheuerlichkeit. Eine, die wir nicht akzeptieren dürfen. Eine Ungeheuerlichkeit, die uns fast sprachlos macht. Aber sie wird uns nicht sprachlos machen, weil wir genau wissen, dass wir das nicht akzeptieren können.  Die Sanktionen der EU waren eine klare Antwort auf die Menschenrechtsverletzungen gegen die Uiguren in Xinjiang. Was allerdings die chinesische Regierung mit ihren Sanktionen beabsichtigt, ist das Ersticken jeden Protestes. Maulkörbe werden wir uns nicht anlegen lassen.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Katalin Cseh
Political group: Renew
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

Madam President, the oppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang is the largest scale detention of minorities since the Second World War, and it is our duty as Parliamentarians to speak up against it. It is no coincidence that this institution was singled out and targeted with outrageous sanctions only for doing our job. What this Parliament stands for is the ultimate nightmare of the Chinese leadership – a united, value—based coalition where Western democracies push back against the brutality of the Chinese regime. China is terrified of a united and value—based European foreign policy. That’s why they cultivate their Trojan horses like Viktor Orbán, who kicks out a Western university and invites a Chinese one and whose Foreign Minister regards the EU sanctions as useless exhibitionism.  So colleagues, let’s not let China silence us. Let’s speak out with one voice, loud and clear, that the comprehensive investment agreement is off the table until these sanctions are lifted. We should seriously consider a more comprehensive ban on Xinjiang cotton.  Let’s not be bullied into silence.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Jordi Solé
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Bulgaria
Language: EN

Madam President, the Chinese counter—sanctions are an overreaction that this House cannot accept. It is by no means comparable to put sanctions against public officials involved in human rights violations, and to put sanctions against elected representatives for our opinions and our defence of human rights, which are universal. This is a complete disregard for freedom of opinion and expression, and a lack of respect for the task of us lawmakers, and even for our voters. We are friends of the Chinese people; we wish them well, we praise their culture and heritage, and we commend their remarkable achievements over the last years in terms of economic and social progress.  But by being vocal against human rights violations in China, and indeed everywhere they happen, we are simply upholding human dignity, which no government is allowed to degrade. We will keep doing so regardless of any sanctions. Finally, a word on the Agreement on Investment. The EU and China need to cooperate on economic and other kinds of matters – sure, of course. But tell me, how are we supposed to give our consent to this Agreement, while fellow Members are being sanctioned?  First, drop the sanctions on us, and then we talk. Only then can we work on a better agreement: fairer for our businesses and fairer for the rights of workers.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Tonino Picula
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, we should use the debate today to send a clear political message that would have economic implications. The common argument that we should look separately at trade and human rights cannot be used anymore after the latest events. Chinese assertive actions targeted our institutions in the most direct way.  We as the European Union should be leading the fight when it comes to human rights protection and democracy, but also when it comes to defending European values. Therefore, I do support the position that we should halt all the talks on the CAI as long as there are sanctions imposed against our colleagues. We should be proactive rule setters, not a mere reactor.  This is also a reminder to Member States that still haven’t created investment screening mechanisms. While we negotiated with China on the rules on how we trade with goods, we should never trade with our values.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Karin Karlsbro
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: SV

Fru talman! Kina är världens största diktatur. Mänskliga rättigheter kränks varje dag. Den svenska bokförläggaren Gui Minhai har suttit olagligt fängslad i Kina sedan 2015. Kontrollen över Hongkong och Tibet skärps och tonen mot Taiwan höjs.  Det var helt rätt av EU att införa så kallade Magnitskijsanktioner mot ansvariga för förtrycket mot uigurerna i Xinjiangprovinsen. Att Kina sedan svarar med sanktioner mot europeiska politiker, forskare och institutioner – bland annat mot oss som sitter i Europaparlamentets underutskott för mänskliga rättigheter – visar att vårt arbete är effektivt.  Nu måste Europa fortsätta att ge stöd, visa solidaritet och fortsätta att använda sanktioner när brott mot mänskliga rättigheter begås. Det finns inget utrymme för fjäsk inför Kina. Gui Minhai måste friges.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Francisco Guerreiro
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Germany
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, não posso deixar de começar por partilhar a minha solidariedade para com os meus colegas, aqui no Parlamento Europeu, que estão a ser politicamente visados pelas autoridades chinesas por defenderem valores democráticos. Se existe algo que nos une nesta casa é a liberdade e a democracia. E, falando em liberdade e democracia, não podemos ignorar que a passadeira vermelha que a Comissão Europeia e a Presidência portuguesa do Conselho da União Europeia estendem ao regime autocrático comunista, forçando o fecho do acordo de investimento com a China, valida a ocupação do Tibete, o cerco a Hong Kong e a Taiwan, a perseguição de jornalistas e a constante violação dos direitos humanos no país. Mais: pensar que um acordo comercial com Xi Jinping irá garantir mais liberdades e a abertura a valores democráticos é não compreender que a entrada da China na Organização Mundial do Comércio, em 2001, fez exatamente o contrário: validou, perante a comunidade internacional, o regime ditatorial e abriu as portas dos mercados à estratégia expansionista e comunista do regime comunista chinês. Termino com uma mensagem de esperança e apoio a todos os chineses democratas que lutam por um país livre: o vosso dia chegará!
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Kathleen Van Brempt
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: NL

Voorzitter, collega's, dat China, een autocratie, met de getroffen tegensancties zijn pijlen rechtstreeks op de kern van de Europese democratie richt, is uiteraard onaanvaardbaar, maar het moet ons ook niet verbazen. Een autocratie is bezig met het onderdrukken van haar tegenstanders, zoals we dat zien in Hongkong. Een autocratie heeft geen respect voor rechtstreeks verkozen parlementsleden. Dus het is ontzettend belangrijk dat we nu duidelijk grenzen trekken, dat we zeggen “dát gaan we de komende maanden doen”. Denk aan zorgvuldigheidseisen, aan een goede cyberbeveiliging, en vooral ook aan de bescherming van onze eigen investeringen. En moet het nog herhaald worden? Ik denk dat bijna iedereen het gezegd heeft. Er kan geen sprake van zijn er nog maar aan te denken met de ratificatie van het investeringsakkoord te starten voordat deze sancties zijn opgeheven. Er zijn immers grenzen aan wat we pikken, zelfs al is de economie en het land waarmee we te maken hebben sterk en machtig.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Moritz Körner
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Sanktionen der Volksrepublik China gegen Mitglieder dieses Parlaments sind unverhältnismäßig und inakzeptabel. Das Europäische Parlament kann diese Vorkommnisse nicht einfach so hinnehmen, und das macht es uns unter diesen Umständen fast unmöglich, das CAI zu ratifizieren. Ich gehöre aber nicht zu den Pessimisten, die glauben, dass den liberalen Demokratien im Zeitalter – oder vermeintlichen Zeitalter – der Autokratie nur eine Beobachterrolle zusteht. Mehr denn je müssen wir jetzt als Europäische Union gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern weltweit für Demokratie, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Freiheit eben des Einzelnen eintreten und diese in den Mittelpunkt stellen – im Westen durch eine ambitionierte Technologieallianz und enge Handelsbeziehungen, im Osten mit einem stärkeren Engagement im Indopazifik. Asien ist eben auch nicht nur China; dort müssen wir auch noch stärker zusammenarbeiten. Unsere Werte sind keine Schwäche, sondern sie sind der Ursprung unserer Stärke.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Bernd Lange
Political group: S-D
Country: Portugal
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es ist doch völlig klar, dass wir das CAI – das China—Investitionsabkommen – nicht aus dem Kühlschrank holen werden, solange die Sanktionen gelten. Das bleibt da drin, und ich glaube, das bleibt auch eine ganz lange Zeit da drin. Aber zu beklagen, dass die Menschenrechtsverletzungen da sind, reicht ja auch nicht. Wir müssen rangehen und auch unsere Werkzeugkiste stärken. Und deswegen, Frau Kommissarin, brauchen wir schnell einen Vorschlag zum Umgehen mit chinesischen Subventionen von Unternehmen, die auf dem Binnenmarkt tätig sind. Frau Kommissarin, wir brauchen schnell ein Lieferkettengesetz, das auch klarstellt, dass Produkte, die mit Zwangsarbeit hergestellt werden, nicht auf den Binnenmarkt kommen. Und an den Rat gerichtet: Wir müssen es endlich hinkriegen nach neun Jahren, dass wir eine Äquivalenz im Zugang zur öffentlichen Beschaffung, das IPI, haben. Und das müssen wir hinkriegen, und deswegen müssen die Mitgliedstaaten auch handeln. Nur Klagen hilft nicht. Wir müssen auch endlich unseren Werkzeugkasten hinkriegen.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Bernard Guetta
Political group: Renew
Country: Austria
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, dans ce projet d’accord sur les investissements, Monsieur Xi, vous dites vouloir ratifier les conventions de l’OIT. Alors faites-le, Monsieur le Président, puisque rien ne vous en empêche; n’attendez pas un mois, pas un jour, car nous, la représentation de l’Union européenne, ne passerons à aucun vote avant que vous n’ayez tenu cet engagement. Et puis un second point, Monsieur le Président. Vous avez pris des sanctions contre plusieurs de nos collègues et contre une sous-commission entière de notre Parlement. Vous n’avez pas sanctionné les violations des droits de l’homme, mais la dénonciation de violations des droits de l’homme. Nous ne l’acceptons pas, Monsieur le Président, car c’est inacceptable. Que les choses soient donc claires: sachez-le, nous ne nous prononcerons pas non plus sur ce projet d’accord tant que ces sanctions n’auront pas été levées. Vous connaissez ainsi nos conditions; elles sont doubles, et si vous souhaitez que nos relations reprennent un cours normal, la balle est dans votre camp.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Inma Rodríguez-Piñero
Political group: S-D
Country: Netherlands
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, creo que, en primer lugar, tenemos que felicitarnos por disponer de un instrumento contra las violaciones de derechos humanos. Y quiero agradecer al señor Borrell la valentía por liderar y gestionar una compleja situación que ha permitido que, por primera vez, se impongan sanciones a las autoridades chinas por no respetar los derechos humanos. La respuesta de China ha sido contra este Parlamento, contra quienes se han significado por su crítica a China, por la crítica a la violación de los derechos humanos, algo totalmente inaceptable que, sin duda ninguna, impide que pueda proseguirse con ningún tipo de tramitación del acuerdo de inversiones. Primero, por solidaridad con nuestros compañeros; una solidaridad sin fisuras, firme y total. Y, en segundo lugar, porque no queremos comprar ni vender ninguna mercancía que proceda de la violación de derechos humanos. Por ello, es imprescindible que la Unión Europea cuente con una diligencia debida obligatoria que prohíba tales importaciones.
Debate: Chinese countersanctions on EU entities and MEPs and MPs
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Madam President, the EU sanctions on Chinese officials and economic interests connected to the persecution of Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim groups in the Xinjiang province was just and appropriate. No one should be met with impunity or a lack of consequences when violating human rights. The Chinese regime counter—sanctions, on the other hand, were ridiculous and don’t do anything else than block further dialogue.  Among the ten names who are targeted by the Chinese sanctions, five are fellow MEPs, three are national parliamentarians of EU Member States, and two are scholars – one from Germany and the other from Sweden. Their only crime was to defend human rights in China. In my own country, Sweden, the Chinese Ambassador has even repeatedly threatened journalists and big news outlets for their reporting on the human rights abuses in China. This is ridiculous and not acceptable. I therefore call on all of us to do more to highlight the situation in Xinjiang and the whole of China and to stand united against threats, both within Europe and in the whole world.