Ausführliche Sitzungsberichte

Mittwoch, 12. März 2014 - Straßburg

13. Prioritäten der EU für die 25. Tagung des Menschenrechtsrats der Vereinten Nationen (Aussprache)

  Elnök. - A következő pont a Bizottság alelnökének és az Unió külügyi és biztonságpolitikai főképviselőjének nyilatkozata – Uniós prioritások az ENSZ Emberi Jogi Tanácsának 25. ülésére (2014/2612(RSP))

  Dimitrios Kourkoulas, President-in-Office of the Council, on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. - Mr[nbsp ]President, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to discuss with the European Parliament the EU priorities for the Human Rights Council.

The Human Rights Council is the United Nations’ premier human rights body. It has the potential genuinely and meaningfully to improve human rights situations around the world. In line with the EU Strategic and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, we are active at the Council in exposing and condemning human rights abuses wherever they may occur, and we seek to develop the means to stop or, even better, to prevent violations.

I will touch firstly on some of the EU priorities in the current main session of the Human Rights Council. Secondly, I wish to assure you, the European Parliament, and anyone watching this debate, of the European Union’s strong and determined commitment to universal human rights and to the UN human rights bodies, which we support and which we push to perform well.

It has been three years since the start of the Arab Spring. A wave of freedom swept across the entire region, with such hope and promise. For some countries, this promise has been met. Tragically, others have experienced crackdowns, civil war and gross human rights violations.

In Syria, a horror that would be unimaginable were it not playing out right before our eyes continues every day. The European Union will continue to use all levers at its disposal to bring relief to the Syrian people, to see the perpetrators of crimes against humanity brought to justice, and to press for humanitarian access. The Human Rights Council will again scrutinise the situation and build on the important work of the Commission of Inquiry, which we will continue to support.

The Human Rights Council will also hear the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Along with many in the Chamber today, I am sure, we found the Commission’s report a tragic, but not surprising, document. Crimes against humanity are being committed on our watch.

The European Union will press for an appropriate follow-up to the work of the Commission, including on accountability, and will continue to urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to start engaging with the UN on human rights.

The other ongoing EU country initiative is on Myanmar/Burma, where much progress has been made. Remaining concerns include the situation in Rakhine State, inter-communal violence and the situation in ethnic areas. We believe that Myanmar has much to gain from the establishment there of an Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) country office, and we continue to call for that to be put in place swiftly.

We support, too, the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, not least given the recent spate of executions, and we call on Iran to cooperate more closely with the UN. We also support efforts to enhance accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

The European Union will remain a staunch supporter of a democratic transition in Egypt and will continue to stand with those defending human rights. The Egyptian Government must live up to its duty to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are also enshrined in the new Constitution, and must ensure the smooth opening of the OHCHR country office.

Recent events in the Central African Republic and South Sudan remind us how quickly violence can start and how suddenly human rights can come under threat. The special session on the Central African Republic and recent attention dedicated to South Sudan also demonstrate that the Council can act speedily when necessary. It is now up to all of us to ensure that the relevant reports and mechanisms are used effectively.

Obviously, the Human Rights Council must tackle the most acute situations, and therefore the EU representatives – and many other high-level speakers last week in Geneva – addressed the situation in Ukraine, which continues to evolve rapidly. The European Union reiterated its deep regret about the many deaths, injuries and human rights violations that have occurred over the past weeks. The crisis in Ukraine must be resolved peacefully according to international law and with full respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. All citizens must be protected against intimidation and human rights violations, including persons belonging to minorities. We welcome Ukraine’s resolve to investigate human rights violations, and we understand that the investigation will be carried out in line with international standards and in cooperation with the Council of Europe. The impact of events in Crimea on the human rights situation there is of particular concern. Beatings, arrests and kidnappings of journalists and civil activists must stop immediately and should be properly investigated.

The Human Rights Council, in addition to tackling country-specific issues, looks at many thematic issues, as well as human rights in the broader context, including issues of great importance for the EU and this House such as LGTBI persons’ rights, freedom of religion, belief and gender equality. All around the world, the space for civil society is being shrunk, making it easier for human rights violations to occur. In order to address them, the Council itself must be a safe space for debate. Reprisals against those who cooperate with the United Nations system, or crude procedural moves to prevent civil-society representatives from participating, are unacceptable and betray the founding intent of the Council.

In closing, let me stress again that the Council is a vital body for the promotion and protection of universal human rights: it deserves our full support and cooperation. In this context, we acknowledge the return of Israel to the Human Rights Council at this session and encourage it to cooperate fully with the Council and its mechanisms. Long-term peace and security can be sustained only if human rights and international humanitarian law are fully respected by all.

Finally, let me invite you to join our efforts in the pursuit of human rights around the globe, for our priorities are yours, and vice versa, as the motion for a resolution before you today so clearly shows.

  Laima Liucija Andrikienė, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, we understand how important it is to speak with one voice against human rights violations in order to achieve the best possible result and how important it is to strengthen cooperation and enhance coordination among Member States and among EU Institutions. In our draft resolution, we reiterate our belief that elections to the United Nations Human Rights Council need to be competitive and we oppose uncontested elections by regional groups.

I would like to express my deep concern about human rights abuses in a number of newly-elected members of the Human Rights Council, namely Cuba, Vietnam and Russia. The last, for instance, just weeks ago violated international law by invading the sovereign country of Ukraine. I would like to stress the importance of standards for Human Rights Council Membership as regards commitment and performance in the human rights field, and I urge the Member States to insist on such standards when defining the candidates they will vote for. Human Rights Council members are required to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights. I also believe that strong and transparent criteria for reinstating suspended members are necessary.

On behalf of the EPP, I would like to commend the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pilley, for her continued efforts in the treaty body strengthening processes. At the same time, we regret the fact that the space for interaction between civil society and the Human Rights Council is shrinking and that NGOs are being offered fewer opportunities to speak at the sessions. The EU and the Human Rights Council should ensure that civil society is allowed to contribute as fully as possible to all United Nations Human Rights mechanisms. I look forward to our resolution being adopted tomorrow.

  Véronique De Keyser, au nom du groupe S&D. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Ministre, à la veille de la 25e session du Conseil des droits de l'homme des Nations unies, je voudrais insister sur quelques points qui sont prioritaires pour mon groupe.

Le premier, c'est le soutien à la haut-commissaire, Navi Pillay, pour son effort remarquable de renforcement du processus de surveillance des traités à travers ce qu'on appelle les "organes de traités", qui sont des groupes d'experts, au nombre de dix, et qui sont les garants de la mise en œuvre des droits reconnus par les traités. Sans eux, et sans la société civile, c'est vrai, Madame[nbsp ]Andrikienė, qui devrait être mieux impliquée, ces traités risqueraient de n'être que des chiffons de papier. Mme[nbsp ]Pillay doit avoir les moyens humains et financiers de poursuivre cette politique.

Deuxième point, quelques thémes nous semblent également cruciaux: les droits de l'enfant, les droits des femmes et des jeunes filles, et l'éradication de la torture dans le monde. Je demande que la torture à l'égard des enfants, de plus en plus répandue, et qui subsiste dans les régions en guerre mais aussi dans des lieux de détention, dans des orphelinats, dans des institutions scolaires, sur l'internet, fasse l'objet d'une attention particulière. Des rapports récents de l'ONU, de l'Unicef, de Human Rights Watch ont évoqué des cas intolérables de torture en série, même en Israël, au Soudan, au Soudan du Sud, en Inde et dans de multiples autres pays. C'est moralement inacceptable et c'est criminel au regard du droit international. Là encore, hélas, la question du financement se pose. L'Union européenne et les États membres doivent continuer à financer et à faire vivre le fonds volontaire pour les victimes de la torture et le fonds spécial établi par le protocole facultatif à la convention contre la torture.

Sur les questions des droits LGBT, j'insiste pour que des pressions s'exercent à l'égard de pays comme l'Ouganda et le Nigeria, afin qu'ils retirent les lois discriminantes qu'ils ont promulguées, lesquelles sont de véritables appels à la haine et à la délation. Mais en Russie aussi, on observe une dérive dangereuse. Il conviendra de le rappeler lorsque nous traiterons de ce pays.

Si cette résolution cite beaucoup de pays, c'est moins pour céder au plaisir ambigu de la stigmatisation que pour les inciter à améliorer la situation des droits de l'homme sur leur territoire, en portant remède aux dérapages indiqués.

  Leonidas Donskis, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Mr[nbsp ]President, Minister, today we are not only debating a technical resolution on the EU priorities for the 25th[nbsp ]session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, we are also expressing our views regarding current events in the various corners of the world, reflecting on the past and creating a future vision, and trying to strategise and shape the very core of our Union’s efforts and values: the promotion of human rights in the world.

The UN Human Rights Council should be the prime forum for effective high-quality discussion and for decisions based on full and morally uncompromised dedication to the protection of human rights. I, like colleagues from my political group, am concerned about the human rights abuses in a number of newly-elected member countries of the UN Human Rights Council, including Algeria, China, Cuba, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam, and we call on these countries to do their utmost to improve their human-rights situation at home. We have submitted an amendment to that end and would urge all other political groups to support it.

In Russia the human-rights situation has become virtually as dire as it was at the time of the Soviet Union. Developments such as the Foreign Agent Law, the repression of freedom of expression, association and assembly, and the anti-LGBTI laws are all huge steps backwards, in contrast to the positive efforts which Russia made during the first post-Soviet years.

On another note, I was pleased to see that a reference to caste-based discrimination was included in the resolution. Let Parliament keep talking about it, let the EU keep talking about it and, most importantly, let us finally do something to resolve this human-rights abuse which is so serious and so widespread yet so sadly and unacceptably neglected by the international community.

Lastly, let us not forget Tibet. Tibet is not one of the EU priorities for this session of the UN Human Rights Council, but it should be. The precarious situation of the Tibetan people is an absolutely vital question which should be at the forefront of EU human rights policies. I urge the EU to ensure that realpolitik and relations with the big strategic partners do not lead to the fate of a whole nation being swallowed up and forgotten.

  Barbara Lochbihler, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrter Herr Minister, geehrte Kollegen und Kolleginnen! Unsere alljährliche Entschließung zur Sitzung des UN-Menschenrechtsrats in Genf benennt die wesentlichen Themen und Ländersituationen, die vonseiten der EU und ihrer Mitgliedstaaten in Genf aktiv bearbeitet werden sollten. Bei den Ländern sind das vor allem Syrien, Ägypten, Libyen, Tunesien, Palästina, Israel, Bahrein, Saudi-Arabien, Iran, Russland, Weißrussland, Usbekistan, die Zentralafrikanische Republik, die Demokratische Republik Kongo, Eritrea, Mali, Süd-Sudan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar und die Demokratische Volksrepublik Korea.

Die Resolution umfasst die Hauptthemen und Forderungen, die wir im vergangenen Jahr auch in unseren Parlamentsentschließungen und Anhörungen im Unterausschuss für Menschenrechte behandelt haben – wie die Abschaffung der Folter, der Todesstrafe, Diskriminierung aufgrund des Kastenwesens, Kinderrechte, Rechte von Frauen und Mädchen, den Einsatz bewaffneter Drohnen, um nur einige zu nennen.

Einmal mehr wird deutlich, wie eng die Menschenrechtspolitik des Europäischen Parlaments und auch die der anderen EU-Institutionen mit den Menschenrechtsgremien der Vereinten Nationen verbunden sind. Deren Berichte und Untersuchungsergebnisse bestimmen fachlich oft auch unsere Arbeit. Und wir sollten nicht nachlassen, ganz gezielt auch die UN-Menschenrechtsgremien in Genf zu unterstützen, politisch wie finanziell.

  Charles Tannock, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, the ECR believes firmly in human rights, regardless of who the people are or where they come from. The UN Human Rights Council is also a valuable global body, which has the great potential to improve, at least in principle, the human rights situation everywhere.

However, it is far from perfect, as it includes countries with a very poor human rights record such as Cuba, Vietnam, China, Russia and even Saudi Arabia, which has recently been elected to the Council. Parliament’s resolution on the topic also appears to come down very harshly on some countries and not harshly enough on others. Countries such as Russia, Iran and Eritrea deserve to have the spotlight continually shone on them, as they persist in abusing the rights of political opponents and the least-powerful members of society, such as women and religious and ethnic minorities.

I also support the proposal to include a mention of Western Sahara, whose people deserve the right to decide on their future once and for all. In my report on the Sahel, I pointed out the plight of the refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria. I also condemned the harsh new laws passed recently in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda against the LGBT communities. Other countries, such as North Korea, the Central African Republic, Eritrea and – above all – Syria are very difficult to ignore. In the case of Syria, the international community must not abandon the millions of people – including children – who lack the most basic necessities for staying alive while a crazed dictator clings to power by murder and torture.

My group wishes the best of luck to the countries tackling these issues and to the External Action Service, for all its faults, as it continues its challenging work in promoting human rights universally. As ever, the EU must mobilise its considerable resources and continue its dialogue with civil society and governments everywhere to help to create a more just and better world.

  Marie-Christine Vergiat, au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Monsieur le Président, comme chaque année, le Parlement vote une résolution sur le mandat de sa délégation au Conseil des droits de l'homme. Comme chaque année, il le fait après le début des travaux et sans vraiment tenir compte de l'ordre du jour de la conférence.

Rien n'est dit dans cette résolution, par exemple, sur l'indépendance de la Palestine, alors que cette question sera au centre des travaux de la conférence. Rien n'est dit non plus sur les droits économiques, sociaux et culturels, autre question importante des travaux, notamment du rapport de la haut-commissaire. Rien sur la jouissance effective de ces droits, et notamment des droits culturels, sur le logement comme élément du droit à un niveau de vie suffisant, sur les effets de la dette extérieure sur les droits de l'homme, sur la restitution des avoirs gelés, sur la dette illicite ou encore sur le rôle du service public comme élément essentiel de la bonne gouvernance en matière de droits de l'homme. Autant de sujets qui sont pourtant à l'ordre du jour de la vingt-cinquième session du Conseil des droits de l'homme.

Nous avons essentiellement un catalogue par pays répétitif des positions habituelles du Parlement européen, sans vraiment d'intérêt pour le Conseil – il les connaît – ni pour notre délégation au comité des droits de l'homme, ni surtout pour la visibilité politique du Parlement à l'extérieur. Une sorte de rendez-vous manqué, une méthode à revoir pour la prochaine législature.

  Rolandas Paksas, EFD frakcijos vardu. – Žmogaus teisės ir laisvės – visuomenės egzistencijos sudėtinės dalys. Beje, vienos iš svarbiausių. Pasaulyje siekiama kiekvienam individui garantuoti tikėjimo ir žodžio laisves, laisvus demokratinius rikimus. Deja, tenka apgailestauti, kad pakankamai dažnai tos teisės ir laisvės yra ne tik brutaliai paminamos, bet ir subtiliai ribojamos. Štai – vasario 6 d. šioje salėje priimta rezoliucija dėl Bosnijos ir Hercegovinos pažangos ataskaitos už tryliktus metus. Cituoju „jei Europos žmogaus teisių teismo sprendimas nebus įvykdytas, bus abejojama dėl keturioliktų metų rinkimų teisėtumo“. Kalbu apie Bosniją ir Hercegoviną. Manau, kad Europos Parlamentas žmogaus teises turėtų ginti ne tik šalyse kandidatėse, bet ir šalyse narėse. Niekur ir niekada negali būti ignoruojami demokratijos principai.

  Franz Obermayr (NI). - Herr Präsident! Es klingt alles ein bisschen wie ein schlechter Faschingsscherz. Vierzehn neue Mitglieder wurden im vergangenen Oktober in den Menschenrechtsrat gewählt, darunter Algerien, China, Marokko und Saudi-Arabien. Sie sollen in den nächsten drei Jahren die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte auf der Welt überwachen! Ironisch gesagt, könnte man das Ganze so formulieren: Die Elite der Hüter der Menschenrechte ist hier gewählt und auserwählt worden.

Der Rat hat einen schweren Konstruktionsfehler. Selbst Länder, die die Menschenrechte mit Füßen treten, können gewählt werden, und jedes Mitgliedsland kann sich ohne Auswahlkriterien bewerben. Jedes Mitgliedsland hat somit die Möglichkeit, mit einfacher Mehrheit gewählt zu werden, wobei die westlichen Demokratien in der Minderheit sind. Islamische Delegierte verhindern regelmäßig Diskussionen über Menschenrechtsverletzungen in ihren Staaten. Sie berufen sich dabei auf die Scharia als Bestandteil ihrer Religion. In dieser Zusammensetzung, meine Damen und Herren, führt sich der Menschenrechtsrat selbst ad absurdum.

Abschließend spricht das Zitat des ehemaligen UNO-Sonderberichterstatters Manfred Nowak ja Bände: Staaten, die die Menschenrechte am meisten verletzen, haben im Rat die Mehrheit.

  Andrzej Grzyb (PPE). - Chciałem się zająć dwoma kierunkami, bo przecież tych spraw związanych z Radą Praw Człowieka Narodów Zjednoczonych jest wiele. Więc najpierw może kraje wiosny arabskiej: Egipt to kraj, z którym mieliśmy i nadal mamy wiele problemów, ale z zadowoleniem przyjmuję odniesienie w konstytucji egipskiej do kwestii mniejszości, w tym mniejszości również religijnych (chrześcijańskich, żydowskich), jeżeli chodzi o wolności religijne. Trzeba jednak dalszych starań, by te mniejszości rzeczywiście były bezpieczne, bo w dalszym ciągu otrzymujemy jednak informacje, że dochodzi tam do aktów przemocy.

Należy również wzmacniać instytucje tego państwa, w tym instytucje ochrony praw człowieka, tak aby m.in. powołana narodowa rada praw człowieka mogła pełnić funkcję egipskiego ombudsmana. To dobry przykład.

Mamy też przykład z krajów Partnerstwa Wschodniego, gdzie ten dialog pomiędzy ombudsmanami krajów członkowskich Unii Europejskiej (Francji, Polski) a ombudsmanami krajów Partnerstwa Wschodniego przynosił dobre owoce.

Dzisiaj w Parlamencie m.in. gościmy irańską noblistkę Szirin Ebadi. Mieliśmy okazję rozmawiać o podstawowych problemach związanych z tym krajem. Tym podstawowym problemem jest wykonywanie kary śmierci, nawet do dwóch wyroków dziennie (w tym publicznych, w tym na osobach nieletnich). Wydaje się, że w[nbsp ]tym dialogu z Iranem, odnośnie do m.in. kwestii atomowych, ten element powinien być bardzo mocno podkreślony. Najpierw powinniśmy zaprzestać wykonywania kary śmierci, a przede wszystkim zaprzestać wykonywania ich publicznie. To jest podstawowe prawo człowieka, prawo do życia.

Jeżeli chodzi o kwestię Ukrainy, to Krym został de facto przejęty, ale jednocześnie są tam łamane prawa człowieka, bowiem dochodzą do nas głosy m.in. mniejszości tatarskiej zamieszkującej Krym. To była ich pierwotna ojczyzna, z której byli deportowani. Więc nie tylko kwestia głośno podnoszonych praw Rosjan, ale również kwestia mniejszości tatarskiej na Krymie.

  Richard Howitt (S&D). - Mr President, once again the European Parliament will play an active part in the current session of the UN Human Rights Council. This is a session which will receive the results of the Independent Commission of Inquiry in Syria, where starvation is being used as a deliberate weapon of war and where, once again, our resolution calls for referral to the International Criminal Court.

I also join the President-in-Office tonight in calling for the full cooperation of Israel in the universal periodic review, but I warn Parliament that the proper condemnation of rights abuses in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should not become disproportionate to our criticisms of similar abuses in other countries, or we may end up repeating in Strasbourg the mistakes that were made in Geneva, discrediting the entire exercise.

Today I again met Sri Lankan representatives and explained that our call for independent credible investigations into past violations will not end until prosecutions are undertaken and completed. Today I also had the privilege, with my friend and colleague Mr Grzyb, of meeting Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi, who told me that Europe should insist on Iran ending public executions and ending the execution of minors as a condition of starting a human rights dialogue between the European Union and that country – a country which is hanging three people a day.

In our resolution, my group will support the naming of specific countries in criticisms of Human Rights Council members in paragraph 3, and I regret that our European conservative MEP colleagues are choosing not to do this. On behalf of my group too, I ask Parliament to support our amendment for a just resolution of the Western Sahara conflict in accordance with UN resolutions.

Finally, I went on a human rights mission of this Parliament to Mexico to see the protection of journalists that is offered there. Yet this month, Anabel Hernandez, an investigative journalist, found the headless carcasses of four chickens and a goat outside her door following publication of her exposés. Her conscience, courage and convictions are the bedrock of many a UN resolution. The debates in this Chamber and in its equivalent in Geneva must make a difference to human rights defenders like Anabel. It is our duty to do so.

  Marietje Schaake (ALDE). - Mr President, the violations of human rights across the world at this moment are so vast and so numerous that it is difficult to do the suffering justice. From rape as a weapon of war in Africa to executions in Iran, mass censorship in China, human trafficking in the Sinai and killings by Islamic jihadists in Nigeria, the witch-hunt for LGBTIs – the list goes on and on. What does not help is that the universality of human rights is being challenged by growing numbers of people and governments who fear their own populations more than anything.

The UN Human Rights Council should be a neutral body which assesses human rights violations and condemns them wherever and whenever they occur. However, too many members do not have a clean slate – not even close to one. I am speaking of China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Russia. Bloc voting and uncontested elections among the worst culprits will not make condemning others any easier or more credible. That is why the EU must assume its responsibility with leadership and ambition.

A few of our priorities are to include civil society and re-focus the world’s attention on the unspeakable horrors taking place in Syria: three years of war, almost 70 years after we said ‘never again’. Where are we? A generation grows up in a pool of mud, in refugee camps without schools or prospects – and that is at best. Being dead, shot or starved in a street, raped against a wall or beaten in makeshift prisons – those are the alternatives. Both rebels and governments must understand that murdering their own will lead nowhere.

  Adam Bielan (ECR). - W wielu krajach świata wciąż są systematycznie łamane prawa człowieka. W ostatnich miesiącach haniebne przypadki zbrodni przeciwko własnemu narodowi zaobserwowaliśmy niestety w bliskim sąsiedztwie Unii Europejskiej. Na szczególne potępienie zasługuje bestialstwo władz syryjskich z Basharem al-Assadem na czele. Ogromny niepokój wzbudza dyskryminacja na tle religijnym w Egipcie, Republice Środkowoafrykańskiej czy Mali. Nie sposób jednak przejść obojętnie wobec rosyjskich działań względem Ukrainy. Zajęcie terytorium niepodległego państwa oznacza pogwałcenie szeregu norm prawa międzynarodowego. Agresywna i awanturnicza polityka Kremla wymaga zdecydowanej reakcji Unii oraz ONZ.

Liczę na konkretne rozwiązania prowadzące do dialogu, całkowitego wygaśnięcia kryzysu na Krymie i unormowania relacji pomiędzy Moskwą i Kijowem. Integralność i bezpieczeństwo Ukrainy jest naszym priorytetem na Wschodzie.

  Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE). - Señor Presidente, la protección de los derechos humanos es una de las señas de identidad de la Unión Europea, comunidad de valores en la que la persona humana y la defensa de la universalidad de sus derechos ocupan un lugar central.

El Tratado de la Unión destaca entre los objetivos de nuestra acción exterior el apoyo a la democracia y a los derechos humanos. Este no es un objetivo exclusivo, claro está, también hay otros, como dice el propio Tratado: los intereses de la Unión Europea, nuestra seguridad o nuestra independencia. Por consiguiente, necesitamos una política exterior inteligente y eficaz, capaz de integrar esos distintos objetivos y que tenga presente, lógicamente, el lugar principal, el lugar importante que ocupa la defensa de los derechos humanos.

Desde hace años vivimos importantes cambios, Señorías, en nuestras vecindades oriental y meridional. La llamada Primavera Árabe comenzó en Túnez con un grito desesperado precisamente en favor de la dignidad humana, de los derechos humanos. Hoy, el pisoteo de los derechos humanos y del Derecho humanitario tiene una expresión especialmente cruel en un país de esa zona, en Siria. Todos conocemos también los problemas de los numerosos ciudadanos sirios desplazados por el largo conflicto que vive el país.

En la vecindad oriental, estoy pensando en los casos de Bielorrusia —como hace la Resolución que mañana votaremos— o, desde luego, en lo sucedido en Ucrania. De la misma manera, África vuelve a ser escenario de dramáticos conflictos étnico-religiosos. Celebro la rápida intervención de las tropas francesas para evitar una masiva violación de los derechos humanos actualmente en la República Centroafricana, como ocurriera antes en Mali.

Me detendré también en el derecho a la libertad religiosa y de pensamiento. Es innegable la importante contribución de la herencia cristiana a la construcción de la Europa de hoy. Por ello no debemos tener complejo en defender a los cristianos que, en muchos lugares de Oriente Medio, de África y de Asia, se enfrentan a una intolerable falta de seguridad y son víctimas de la violencia.

Por último, señor Presidente, quisiera hacer referencia a la Asamblea de las Naciones Unidas del próximo año, que se reunirá para renovar los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. La lucha contra la pobreza debe seguir siendo un objetivo central, pero también hay que recordar el derecho al agua potable y al saneamiento, como exigió recientemente la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en su Resolución del 18 de diciembre.

  Ana Gomes (S&D). - Quanto à lista de membros do Conselho de Direitos Humanos da ONU, não posso deixar de lamentar que os eleitos sejam escolhidos por blocos regionais sem que se insista na necessidade de fazer os candidatos respeitar um padrão elementar de proteção dos direitos humanos. Espero que os Estados-Membros da União Europeia insistam nessa necessidade e se coordenem atempadamente.

Espero também que os Estados-Membros condenem as situações de represálias contra ativistas de direitos humanos e da sociedade civil que participaram nas revisões periódicas e que desempenham um papel imprescindível na credibilidade das mesmas. Temos de os acompanhar e apoiar.

Finalmente, gostaria de sublinhar o apoio desta resolução do Parlamento Europeu à recomendação da Alta Comissária Navanethem Pillay para o estabelecimento de um mecanismo de inquérito e investigação internacional para o Sri Lanca visto que, cinco anos após o fim da guerra civil, o Governo continua sem estabelecer e, de facto, a impedir um processo de investigação imparcial e independente sobre os crimes hediondos cometidos nos meses finais do conflito. Esta investigação é um requisito essencial para a reconciliação e a paz no país.

  Struan Stevenson (ECR). - Mr President, I want to ask the question: why was our High Representative for Foreign Affairs in Iran last weekend? She arrived in Iran on International Women’s Day, in a country that oppresses women, where women are routinely tortured and raped in their prisons. Indeed, two days before she arrived, a 25-year-old mother was hanged, leaving behind a 10-year-old daughter. She had been in prison since she was a teenager. Did Baroness Ashton raise that issue when she met the smiling, apparently moderate President Rouhani under whose seven-month reign 600 people have already been hanged? We have heard in this debate that three people are hanged every day.

On the day she arrived, the Israelis stopped an Iranian vessel carrying rockets and other weapons destined for Palestine militants in Gaza. Did she raise that issue with President Rouhani? She has given a propaganda coup to the Iranian mullahs, and we should be ashamed that she went on our behalf. Why is she not here today?

  Sari Essayah (PPE). - Arvoisa puhemies, hyvä ministeri, YK:n ihmisoikeusneuvoston kokoonpano on ikävä kyllä siten vääristynyt, että monissa maissa tapahtuvat samanlaiset ihmisoikeusrikkomukset saavat erilaisen kohtelun ja erilaisen tuomion. Aivan niin kuin täällä monet kollegat ovat sanoneet, neuvoston jäsenmaat ovat itse usein syyllistyneet vakaviin ihmisoikeusloukkauksiin. Tämä on väistämättä vähentänyt ihmisoikeusneuvoston arvovaltaa ja mahdollisuutta toimia ihmisoikeuskysymyksissä.

Parlamentin mietintö nostaa esille ihmisoikeudet ja kansalaisvapaudet ja korostaa erityisesti naisten ja lasten oikeuksia sekä myös uskonnollisten vähemmistöjen asemaa.

Ihmisoikeusrikkomuksiin syyllistyvät maat voisi jakaa totalitaarisiin maihin, kuten vaikkapa Pohjois-Korea, ja niin sanottuihin hajoaviin valtioihin, kuten esimerkiksi Syyria, Keski-Afrikan tasavalta, Irak, Sudan, Nigeria ja monet monet muut, ja kolmantena ryhmänä epädemokraattisesti hallitut maat, joissa esimerkiksi vahva hallitsija pitää pelolla valtaa ja näennäistä vakautta.

Monissa näissä maissa kamppaillaan etnisten ja uskonnollisten ryhmien kesken. Huolestuttavaa uskonnonvapauden kannalta on se, että Saharan eteläpuolelle on syntynyt ääri-islamilaisten ryhmien terrorivyöhyke, joka on aiheuttanut monissa maissa tuolla alueella valtavia kärsimyksiä.

Maailmassa ei varmaankaan ole vain yhtä kaikille sopivaa järjestelmää uskonnon ja yhteiskunnan suhteesta, mutta olennaista on kuitenkin se, että kaikilla kansalaisilla on täysi mielipiteen-, omantunnon- ja uskonnonvapaus sekä julkisessa elämässä että yksityiselämässä. Tätä perusoikeutta EU:n tulee varjella omalla alueellaan ja pitää siitä huolta myös maailmalla.

  Joanna Senyszyn (S&D). - W kontekście 25. sesji Rady Praw Człowieka ONZ zwracam uwagę na pogarszającą się sytuację w Republice Środkowoafrykańskiej. Konieczne jest większe wsparcie dla sił pomocy humanitarnej ONZ i wdrożenie rezolucji uchwalonej na nadzwyczajnej sesji Rady Praw Człowieka. Pilna pomoc humanitarna jest też niezbędna 9 mln Syryjczyków. Ponownie apeluję o skierowanie sprawy Syrii do Międzynarodowego Trybunału Karnego w celu przeprowadzenia oficjalnego dochodzenia. Potępienia wymaga systematyczne naruszanie praw człowieka w Koreańskiej Republice Ludowo-Demokratycznej. Konieczny jest skuteczniejszy sprzeciw wobec stosowania tortur oraz większe wsparcie dla ofiar. Trzeba odnowić mandat specjalnego sprawozdawcy ONZ do spraw tortur. Odnośnie do 58. sesji Komisji ds. Statusu Kobiet należy stwierdzić, że wprawdzie kilka celów milenijnych zostało osiągniętych lub są bliskie osiągnięcia, ale w wielu obszarach potrzebne są przyspieszenia. Znaczne różnice występują między krajami, regionami i grupami ludności. Przykładowo 73% populacji, która nie ma dostępu do ulepszonych źródeł wody pitnej, zamieszkuje tereny wiejskie.

  Marek Henryk Migalski (ECR). - W czasie 25. sesji doszło do kuriozalnej sytuacji, kiedy minister spraw zagranicznych Rosji Sergiej Ławrow powiedział, że interwencja rosyjska na Krymie jest podyktowana obroną praw człowieka. Nie po raz pierwszy Kreml wykorzystuje pretekst praw człowieka do prowadzenia własnej polityki imperialnej i jej usprawiedliwiania. Trzeba być bardzo uważnym, żeby nie pozwalać różnym dyktaturom (bo nie chodzi tylko o samą Rosję) na wykorzystywanie szlachetnej idei praw człowieka do usprawiedliwiania imperialnych zakusów, łamania praw człowieka u siebie w kraju i do budowania w ten fałszywy sposób relacji pomiędzy pewnymi niedogodnościami w niektórych krajach a systematycznym łamaniem praw człowieka oraz agresywną polityką zagraniczną.

  Eduard Kukan (PPE). - 25. zasadnutie Rady OSN pre ľudské práva je symbolické. Tento rok si pripomíname aj 25 rokov od pádu komunizmu a železnej opony. Mnohé krajiny, v ktorých sa desiatky rokov potláčali ľudské práva, sú dnes členmi EÚ a mnohí z tých, ktorí bojovali za dodržiavanie ľudských práv, sú dnes lídrami EÚ alebo sedia v tomto parlamente.

Pred niekoľkými rokmi EÚ prežila minirevolúciu v oblasti ľudských práv a trvá na dôslednosti a koordinácii medzi najdôležitejšími hráčmi EÚ. Ja by som sa rád venoval dvom konkrétnym prioritám počas 25. zasadnutia Rady v Ženeve.

Prvá je úloha mimovládnych organizácií v problematike ľudských práv. Treba ju zdôrazňovať a EÚ by mala aktívne podporovať ich angažovanosť. Mimovládne organizácie môžu hrať rozhodujúcu a pozitívnu rolu v nedemokratických režimoch.

Druhou sú práva dieťaťa. Upozorňujeme na ne a je to dokonca našou tematickou prioritou. Keďže je to široký pojem, ja chcem v tejto oblasti upozorniť na[nbsp ]problematiku detských vojakov. Ich narastajúci počet v ozbrojených konfliktoch je alarmujúci a volá aj po našej väčšej aktivite. Sýria, Mali a Stredoafrická republika sú z tých nových konfliktov, kde sú detskí vojaci používaní na dennom poriadku.

Hrubé zásahy proti ich právam, manipulovanie a indoktrinácia extrémistami, používanie škôl ako vojenské objekty. To je len chabý výpočet toho, čo všetko deti v[nbsp ]týchto zónach podstupujú. Na záver, beztrestnosť a porušovanie práv detí je ďalšia oblasť, ktorá si vyžaduje osobitnú pozornosť EÚ, a kde inde na to upozorniť, ak nie na pôde Organizácie Spojených národov.

  Pino Arlacchi (S&D). - Mr President, I believe the discussion today is an opportunity to call on the UN Human Rights Council to follow up the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s recommendations on the protection of human rights in Western Sahara. Morocco, as a new member of UNHRC, should acknowledge the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and should put an end to the ongoing violation of human rights of the Sahrawi people. Also, I believe that Morocco should urgently release all Sahrawi political prisoners.

For these reasons, I would like to ask all colleagues to vote in favour of all the amendments on Western Sahara proposed by the political groups. We cannot turn a blind eye to this unlawful occupation, and we cannot ignore the fact that one of our neighbouring countries is perpetrating the last case of colonial oppression in Africa.

  Alf Svensson (PPE). - Herr talman! Det här måste vara EU-parlamentets viktigaste uppgift: att stå upp för respekten för mänskliga fri- och rättigheter. Det är ju väldigt dystert att läsa om människorättsrådet i FN, i synnerhet då om medlemmarna. Det är skamligt att förknippa begreppet mänskliga fri- och rättigheter med namnet på en del av de här länderna.

Vi vet ju att man har skrivit under FN:s stadga om mänskliga fri- och rättigheter. Vad är det värt? Vi vill väl ändå hoppas att reaktionen världen över skulle vara en annan.

Nu räknar vi upp en rad länder här, och det med all rätt. Vi vet ju att i varje land – bakom de här rubrikerna – så finns det individer. Där finns familjer, där finns barn och vuxna. Hur många de är det är kanske svårt att säga, men de har alltså enligt FN-stadgan rätt till fri- och rättigheter. Det här är ju inte någonting som länderna egentligen kan dela ut. Det är universala rättigheter som människan i sig äger. Vi ska inte harangera länder om de klarar av de här problemen. Människorna ska äga sina fri- och rättigheter, och det måste i tid och otid strykas under.

Jag skulle gärna också vilja nämna barns och ungdomars situation och förstås kvinnornas situation och i det sammanhanget också nämna kastväsendet. Det må vara så att man har bestämt sig för att mota undan kastväsendet i länder som kallar sig demokratier, men vad gör man sen för att så praktiskt och faktiskt ska bli fallet?

Jag tackar dem som arbetat med den här resolutionen. Man hoppas faktiskt att FN ska få större auktoritet i de här viktiga frågorna än vad som för närvarande är fallet.

  Zdravka Bušić (PPE). - Gospodine predsjedniče, pozdravljam rezoluciju o prioritetima Europske unije za 25. sjednicu Vijeća za ljudska prava Ujedinjenih naroda. Geopolitika je sfera prepuna kontradikcija, često se postavljaju pitanja koja je uloga Europske unije u toj sferi. Stupanjem na snagu Lisabonskog ugovora i uvođenjem institucije Visoke predstavnice za vanjske poslove i sigurnosnu politiku te imenovanjem posebnog predstavnika za ljudska prava, Europska unija jasno daje do znanja kako ne želi biti samo pasivan promatrač. U ovoj rezoluciji se ističe važno sudjelovanje Europske unije u svim mehanizmima Ujedinjenih naroda za ljudska prava. Ona također jasno potiče države članice da se što aktivnije uključe i sudjeluju u zajedničkom ostvarenju univerzalnih ljudskih prava s posebnim naglaskom na potrebi ratifikacije međunarodnih instrumenata o ljudskim pravima. K tome, ova rezolucija posebno potiče javne rasprave i interaktivne dijaloge što je poželjno i dobrodošlo. Međutim, ono što bih naglasila kao nepoželjnu pojavnost su česti pokušaji nametanja vrijednosnih sustava pod okriljem parole borbe za ljudska prava, jednakost, borbe protiv homofobije i slično. Ponovila bih svoja ranije izrečena stajališta: ne smijemo imati privilegije za pojedine skupine ljudi niti pozivati na posebnu zaštitu i dodatna prava. Uvijek sam apsolutno i bezrezervno za jednakost svih građana pred zakonom. Ono na čemu mi moramo raditi je izgradnja sustava međusobnog uvažavanja i poštovanja jer samo tako ćemo doći do željene ravnopravnosti i podnošljivosti među ljudima. Prozivanje onih s tradicionalnim vrijednostima u ime ljudskih prava smatram apsolutno uvredljivim i nedopustivim.

  Andrej Plenković (PPE). - Gospodine predsjedniče, drago mi je da mogu govoriti danas o temi koja se odnosi na Vijeće za ljudska prava Ujedinjenih naroda zato što sam prije nekoliko godina kao državni tajnik u tadašnjoj hrvatskoj Vladi imao čast da budem prvi dužnosnik koji je branio izvješće Republike Hrvatske koje se podnosi, a u okrilju Vijeća za ljudska prava, u kontekstu univerzalnog periodičnog pregleda stanja ljudskih prava. I osobno znam da je mehanizam koji su Ujedinjeni narodi instalirali u Ženevi izuzetno bitan za globalni pregled stanja ljudskih prava. U tom pogledu Europska unija, kojoj je poštovanje ljudskih prava jedna od temeljnih vrijednosti, u tom procesu igra izuzetno važnu i bitnu ulogu i zato smatram da su i zaključci Vijeća, koji su bili svojevrsna priprema naše današnje rasprave prije nego što krenu dijalozi i aktivnosti u Ženevi, na pravi način istaknuli one zemlje i ona područja koji, tematski gledano, trebaju biti prioriteti Europske unije. Suglasan sam s nekoliko kolega koji su u današnjoj raspravi spomenuli vrlo zabrinjavajuću situaciju u Siriji, gdje su najteža kršenja ljudskih prava u tijeku zadnjih nekoliko godina. Isto tako, dijelim zabrinutost kada je riječ o Demokratskoj Narodnoj Republici Koreji, a posebno su zabrinjavajuća stanja ljudskih prava u Iranu, gdje smo svjedoci kontinuiranim egzekucijama u proteklih nekoliko mjeseci. Smatram da moramo voditi računa i o ljudskim pravima u zemljama koje su našem bliskom susjedstvu pa zbog toga smatram da je dobro da je u fokus naših pozicija stavljena situacija glede ljudskih prava u Bjelorusiji, a jednako tako vodimo računa i o onome što se zbiva u Ukrajini, u krajnjoj liniji na Krimu, o čemu smo govorili danas i u nekim drugim temama, tako da mislim da idemo sa snažnom pozicijom i vjerujem da će zemlje koje su članice Vijeća za ljudska prava artikulirati stajalište Europske unije.

  Elena Băsescu (PPE). - Domnule președinte, consider că printre prioritățile Uniunii la Consiliul pentru drepturile omului ar fi trebuit să se numere și situația din regiunea transnistreană, mai ales în contextul creșterii tensiunilor din vecinătatea estică.

În ciuda faptului că la inițiativa mea, Parlamentul European a adoptat o rezoluție despre încălcarea dreptului la educație în limba română în regiunea transnistreană, așa-zisele autorități de la Tiraspol continuă practicile staliniste. S-a ajuns atât de departe încât, după ce a fost arestat, directorul liceului „Lucian Blaga” din Tiraspol a fost trimis în judecată sub acuzația de contrabandă cu valută, când de fapt el transporta salariile profesorilor. Totul se desfășoară sub patronajul așa-numitelor trupe rusești de menținere a păcii, care țin în viață regimul separatist. În plus, în ultimele zile, militarii ruși se pare că au primit muniție de război și au intrat în stare de alertă, teoretic din cauza situației din Ucraina. Însă în ultima vreme și nu numai, Rusia ne-a demonstrat cum acționează când își urmărește interesele, iar Crimeea este cel mai bun exemplu. Atrag atenția că există riscul ca instabilitatea din Ucraina să fie exportată de Rusia și în Republica Moldova.

„Catch the eye” eljárás.

  Zbigniew Zaleski (PPE). - Panie Przewodniczący! Chciałbym zwrócić uwagę na pewną kwestię: słynny „ojciec i przyjaciel” narodów Stalin wysiedlił siłą przy pomocy KGB wszystkich Tatarów z Ukrainy do Kazachstanu, na Syberię – ponad 300 tys. osób. Przy „odwilży”, po wielu latach, na Ukrainę wróciło niecałe 100 tys., ale nie mieli ani ziemi, ani własności – nic.

Co konstruktywnego można zrobić? Wiem to z własnego doświadczenia i myślę, że jeżeli Papieska Fundacja Jana Pawła II pomaga studentom Islamu, a więc ludziom wyznającym inną religię, studiować na uniwersytetach europejskich, Komisja, Unia Europejska powinny pomóc w formie stypendium w wykształceniu przyszłych elit tatarskich, specjalistów i europejskich liderów. Myślę, że jest to bardzo konkretna propozycja i powinniśmy się nad nią poważnie zastanowić.

  Nirj Deva (ECR). - Mr President, the Sri Lankans are perfectly capable of defending their own country and their own democracy. Sri Lanka became a universal-franchise democratic state in 1931, a long time before 19 of the 28 EU Member States. It is laughable for the EU to lecture Sri Lanka on good governance. Since 1948, it has peacefully changed governments and presidents over 15 times, even during a bloody 28-year terrorist war. The EU resolution calls for an international mechanism to establish the truth. What nonsense! This imperial mindset must stop. Otherwise we will be ignored, as Putin is now doing.

Sri Lanka has set up its own high-level commissions. One has court-martialled 430 soldiers; another has spent EUR[nbsp ]3 billion on reconstruction; another has investigated 16[nbsp ]000 complaints on disappearances; another has de-mined 90[nbsp ]% of the land; another has settled 24[nbsp ]000 land disputes, and another has intervened regarding all the 7[nbsp ]800 casualties. Amazingly, free elections have been held, and the results were that 90[nbsp ]% of those elected were supporters of the LTTE. How stupid can that be in a real democracy?

(Speaker was cut off by the President)

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - Deixamos aqui uma sugestão para esta sessão do Conselho dos Direitos Humanos nas Nações Unidas. A sugestão é que a União Europeia aborde neste fórum, com verdade e com franqueza, a forma como diariamente vem pondo em causa, nos seus Estados-Membros, muitos dos direitos humanos que constam da respetiva Declaração Universal. O direito à segurança social, o direito à proteção no desemprego, o direito a salários justos, o direito à alimentação, o direito à assistência médica, o direito à educação gratuita, estes e outros direitos que constam da Declaração Universal, por exemplo em Portugal mas não só, estão sob o fogo da União europeia, dos seus Tratados, das suas políticas e orientações.

Esta é a mesma União Europeia que se arroga o direito de dar lições de direitos humanos ao mundo. Pela nossa parte, recusamos esta visão restritiva e instrumental dos direitos humanos. Recusamos que os direitos humanos sejam esquecidos em casa, onde as violações são cometidas por países amigos, e que sejam utilizados como pretexto para a ingerência e o intervencionismo externo, afrontando a letra e o espírito da Carta das Nações Unidas.

  Krisztina Morvai (NI). - Megdöbbentő az az önkényesség, ahogy az Európai Unió összeválogatta, hogy számára melyek a kiemelten fontos emberi jogi területek. Én had javasoljak egy olyat, amelyet az ENSZ abszolút emberi jogi kérdésként kezel már hosszú ideje, „land grabbing”-ként ismeri a szakirodalom, az angol nyelvű szakirodalom. A földrablások kérdése, mint emberi jogi kérdés. Ez ugye azt jelenti, hogy jobb gazdasági pozícióban lévő országok magánszemélyei és társaságai fölvásárolják szegényebb országok földjeit, megfosztva azon szegény országok, vagy azok egyes területeinek lakóit a megélhetési lehetőségüktől. Ez a jelenség sokáig a harmadik világot jellemezte, de sajnálatos módon az Európai Unión belül is létezik. Ennek áldozata például a saját országom, Magyarország is. És azt kérem, hogy maga az Európai Unió is a jogvitákban emberi jogi kérdésként, az ENSZ standardjainak megfelelően kezelje ezt a kérdést.

  Geoffrey Van Orden (ECR). - Mr President, there is much that is worthy in this resolution, but there are also many omissions, as we have heard, in terms of the thematic issues. What about the victims of terrorism around the world? What about the Christian communities subjected to so much violence and abuse around the world? What about the continuing African slave trade? So why do we keep picking on countries like Sri Lanka, as my colleague, Mr Deva, has already mentioned? There is a country that finally had the courage to deal with the terrorists which cost thousands of lives and almost brought the country to ruin.

The government, it seems, has not been forgiven for its success; for ending the terrorist occupation of the north of Sri Lanka; for resettling 300[nbsp ]000 IDPs; for the construction of bridges, roads and schools; for re-establishing the rule of law in the north of the country; for its own process of accountability and reconciliation and for kick-starting the economy. I do not think for a moment that the government of Sri Lanka has got everything right. Why not invite a distinguished outside judge to join the oversight of human rights investigation? This Parliament should not continue to be the spokesman of political interest with a very distorted agenda.

(A „catch the eye” eljárás vége.)

  Dimitrios Kourkoulas, President-in-Office of the Council. - Mr President, I think that throughout this debate what has been clear is the unwavering and steadfast commitment to human rights that the European Union and all its institutions have.

Let me come now to some specific points. First of all, the visit of Lady Ashton to Tehran. I just want to remind this House that the European Parliament has repeatedly urged Lady Ashton to engage with Iran. Let me also assure the honourable Members of Lady Ashton’s great sensitivity on human rights. She never fails to raise this issue when she meets with leaders of countries where violations occur.

There is also the point about discrimination in Nigeria and Uganda. The European Union has expressed, through statements, its serious concern regarding the recent legislation discriminating against homosexuals in Nigeria and Uganda. In opposing this legislation the European Union is promoting the same human rights for all individuals and in particular the right not to suffer discrimination, which is enshrined in key international instruments.

I would also like to mention our continued commitment to freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental human right and call for the implementation of the respective resolutions by all member states of the United Nations.

I have limited time, and I am not permitted, in my first speech, to elaborate on all country and thematic priorities. But, as you know, the European Union is active on many important issues you have raised – torture is one of them. The European Union will continue to express its strong and principled opposition to torture, which remains a serious global problem. The EU presses for the full and effective implementation of the Convention and calls for a concrete and concentrated effort to eradicate torture worldwide. The European Union also maintains its support for the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The European Union is also giving political and practical support to the UN human rights bodies and will continue to defend its independence. I would also like to join our voice to the tribute paid to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, and I would like to mention that the European Union has arranged yearly comprehensive resolutions on the rights of children.

So with these specific remarks, allow me once again to thank this House for its support in our common effort to promote and defend human rights globally.

  Elnök. - Amikor jobbról, balról és középről egyaránt éles kritikát fogalmaztak meg a képviselőtársaim arról, hogy emberi jog sértő államok vesznek részt az emberi jogok védelmében, az a bibliai mondás jutott eszembe, hogy ha a só ízét veszti, ugyan mivel sózzák meg? Az ENSZ-nek és az Európai Uniónak fontos feladata lesz, hogy megtalálja azt a sót, amellyel az emberi jogi kérdések értelmesen megsózhatók.

Öt állásfoglalásra irányuló indítványt juttattak el hozzám, melyet az eljárási szabályzat 110. cikkének (2) bekezdésével összhangban nyújtottak be.

A vitát lezárom.

A szavazásra 2014. március 13-án, csütörtökön 12 órakor kerül sor.

PRESIDE: ALEJO VIDAL-QUADRAS
Vicepresidente