Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 10 May 2012 - Brussels

10. Other business

  President. – Mr Karim has asked to speak, so I have given him the floor.

  Sajjad Karim (ECR). – Mr President, in July last year, my home in the United Kingdom was surrounded by a mob fuelled by racist and religious hate, with weaponry in their possession and intent on violence. My wife and child were left petrified and in fear for their safety. Twelve people have now been convicted in the criminal courts for these offences.

I thank outgoing President Buzek for his condemnation of this incident whilst in office, and my colleague, Emine Bozkurt, for her support, along with the support of the overwhelming majority of Members of the House. I thank the Lancashire police for protecting my family, which allowed me to carry on with my parliamentary duties, and the Crown Prosecution Service for delivering these racist extremists to justice.

Colleagues, to this day, I have no answer to give my nine-year-old daughter, who still asks why. Yet in this Chamber sits one MEP who, at the time, offered these racists any help and support he could. Be sure of one thing. We will not cower in the face of your thuggery. You and your sort will never divide us. We will stand united and face you. Today, I speak not only for this House, but for every right-thinking citizen of my country and Europe.

(Applause)

  Zbigniew Ziobro (EFD). – (PL) Mr President, on behalf of our group, and in connection with the current situation in Ukraine, namely the situation of the ex-prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, and the European Commission’s announcement of a boycott of Euro 2012, I would like to ask for a point to be added to the order of business for the European Parliament’s next part-session regarding a debate and a resolution on human rights in Ukraine and also regarding the rejection of a boycott as a method of influencing democratic standards and respect for human rights in Ukraine. We want to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine, but the entire Ukrainian nation, including the opposition, wants Euro 2012 to go ahead. We should respect the rules of fair play in both sport and politics. I hope that such a debate will be necessary and topical. This ball is a symbol of our good faith in sport and in politics. This ball is for the President and will be passed on to Yulia Tymoshenko.

  President. – Please allow me to express the solidarity of the whole of Parliament with Mr Karim.