Alice KUHNKE

What Alice KUHNKE has said (12)

• 2026-06-17 “Thank you, president. Every minute that your child spends in front of a screen is raking up further profits for tech billionaires. They fly around the world on jets, and our children's childhood flies out the window. Sleep disorders, feelings of insecurity, we know that all this is affected by Internet exposure. This is addictive. The more they hook our children, the more money the tech billionaires make. Now we cannot put the burden solely on the shoulders of parents. It is a collective responsibility. Politicians, parents all need to work together to tackle tech billionaires.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• 2025-11-04 “E-004314/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission On 21 November 2025, the Commission opened an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Slovakia for breaching fundamental principles of EU law, particularly the principles of primacy, autonomy, effectiveness and uniform application of EU law. The Commission considers that the amendments to Article 7 of the Slovak Constitution, which entered into force on 1 November 2025, raise concerns as regards the compliance of Slovakia with these principles. Slovakia is now asked to submit its observations on the letter of formal notice within two months.”
  EU competences on human rights · LGBTIQ+
• 2025-03-19 “E-001162/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Equality and respect for human dignity and human rights are core values of the EU, enshrined in the Treaty of the European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These also include the right to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly and association. The Commission is committed to promoting and safeguarding these rights. The Commission is concerned about any development that could put at risk the effective implementation of EU law and remains fully committed to addressing inequality and discrimination affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) persons, as also outlined in the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 1 . The Commission is closely monitoring the situation in Hungary and is thoroughly analysing the law amending Act LV of 2018 on the right of assembly related to the protection of children, and amending the related laws, adopted by the Hungarian Parliament. In July 2022, the Commission decided to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union over national rules that discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The Commission considered that they violate several EU laws, both internal market rules and the fundamental rights of individuals, in particular of LGBTIQ people, as well as the common values which are at the core of the EU (Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union). The case is still pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union. A hearing in this case took place on 19 November 2024 and the Advocate General issued an opinion on 5 June 2025. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0698.”
  LGBTIQ+
• 2025-02-24 “E-000822/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission 1. The 2021-2027 Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, governed by the Common Provision Regulation 1 , requires Member States to meet horizontal enabling conditions (HECs), including the mechanisms for ensuring compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights 2 (the Charter). Bulgaria, as all Member States, must demonstrate HEC compliance at the programme’s adoption and during its implementation 3 . If the Charter HEC is no longer fulfilled at the level of relevant specific objective, the Commission will not reimburse affected expenditure. 2. The Commission supports Member States in ensuring safe and effective management of the EU external borders. The Commission’s position remains that European integrated border management must be grounded in the respect for EU and international law, including fundamental rights as enshrined in the Charter and the principle of non-refoulement. The primary responsibility for investigating allegations of misuse of EU funds implemented under shared management between the Commission and Member States lies with national authorities. 3. The Commission is not directly involved in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) operational decisions such as expanding or decreasing deployments. These decisions are made based on requests by the host Member States and are informed by risk analysis and situational awareness. The decision to suspend, terminate, or not initiate an activity, in whole or in part, including on grounds related to fundamental rights, rests with the Frontex Executive Director after consulting the Frontex Fundamental Rights Officer 4 . 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159–706. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A12016P%2FTXT 3 Bulgaria, like all Member States, had to justify that it fulfils all HECs at the adoption of the programme and that during the implementation of the programme, it has put in place measures to ensure the respect of fundamental rights for all projects funded. 4 Articles 46(4) and 46(5) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-01-17 “E-000202/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The EU has put its effort first on scaling up humanitarian support in Gaza and stands ready to engage in the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. On 18 February 2025, the EU released the Gaza Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA) 1 , prepared jointly with the United Nations and the World Bank and in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority. The needs for recovery and reconstruction are estimated at EUR 49 billion. Given the magnitude of needs, it will require the mobilisation and coordination of all donors, including the Arab States. The IRDNA will be followed by a conflict recovery framework. It will set the priorities for scalable recovery and reconstruction. It will also inform about the relevant implementation channels and funding mechanisms, in close cooperation with a reformed Palestinian Authority. The conditions for scalable recovery and reconstruction are not yet in place, with protracted uncertainty on the security, governance and political arrangements that are to be determined. The Commissioner for the Mediterranean will lead the Commission’s work on developing, with international partners, a dedicated reconstruction plan for Gaza, in good cooperation with the High Representative/Vice-President and the Commissioner in charge of preparedness and crisis management. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025/Gaza%20RDNA_0.pdf”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2024-10-01 “E-001891/2024 Answer given by Ms Kos on behalf of the European Commission The EU has stressed that the legislative measures in Georgia targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people undermine the fundamental rights of Georgians, and that this, and other negative developments, severely affect Georgia’s EU trajectory 1 . The rights of LGBTIQ persons fall within the negotiations on Chapter 23 of the acquis on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights and therefore under the ‘fundamentals’ for EU accession 2 , which determine the overall pace of the negotiations. Following recent developments, including with respect to LGBTIQ persons, and in line with the European Council conclusions of June 2024 3 , the Commission took concrete measures halting high-level engagement with Georgia and conducting a review of its financial assistance. Over EUR 120 million from the 2022-2024 envelope were withheld or will be reallocated. The designation of safe countries of origin does not alter Member States’ obligation under EU law to examine applications for international protection and to grant such protection where the conditions are met. Being aware of the risks faced by LGBTIQ people in Georgia, the Commission supports the protection of their rights. EU-funded project 4 offer legal aid to vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ individuals. Significant support has also been provided to strengthen the civil society capacity to monitor the situation and promote the advancement of human rights. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/georgia-statement-spokesperson-legislative-package-family-values-andprotection-minors_en?s=221 2 Under the 2020 revised Enlargement Methodology: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0057 3 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf 4 https://euneighbourseast.eu/projects/eu-project-page/?id=2183”
  EU-Georgia relations · LGBTIQ+
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Often more than six hours a day. That's how long many of our children. Uh, and, uh, look at, uh, Zuckerberg's, uh, platform and, uh, Chinese propaganda. The, uh, tech companies tried to get us addicted to their content. All too often, hope and hate are out there. But more hate than hope and more lies than truth. The U.S, the only actor in this world that can respond to the tech giants. So let's do that. We should dare to set requirements. Take back control. Ban addictive algorithms. Look after people's well-being. Put that in the center rather than the tech giant's right to manipulate us. The future is created today and it should be created by people, not algorithms. Thank you.”
  Recommender systems
• “The civilians in Iran experienced a hellish situation under the, uh, murderous Iranian regime, but they're suffering again now because of the war. All of this must come to an end. We see these bombs falling and it's not unrelated to oil. Iran controls a fifth of the world's oil in every crisis. It's the same thing. Being dependent on fossil fuels makes us vulnerable. So to Ulf Kristersson, how can you talk about Sweden, uh, improving its air defense, uh, capacities? Uh, but you're still dependent on oil, and there are subsidies to these fossil fuels that make us even more dependent, and it makes Sweden weaker. Security is not going to be achieved through more fossil fuels. Security and safety will be achieved through renewable energies. Thank you.”
  Fossil fuels
• “Thank you very much. President. Commissioner. Now it is clear That today many products are bought which could be carcinogenic. You know, when young people want to look good for a party, often they buy order goods. They order products which could contain substances which are dangerous for children. Fast fashion is dangerous for the whole planet, and it flouts the single market. And we need to change that. Nevertheless. Fashion shows us that everything in the single market needs to be sustainable. We all need to change our way of thinking and how we value things.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “(14:51:09 – 14:52:53): Thank you, Chair, and the Commissioner Sessionaire. You have rightly stressed that simplification should not become deregulation. At the same time, the revised base framework directive requires member states to establish EPR schemes for textiles and footwear by 2027, 2028. While the environmental omnibus and the upcoming Circular Economy Act aim to simplify and harmonize EPR requirements across the EU. So first, how would you respond to concerns voiced by companies and NGOs that the simplification measures proposed to reduce EPR obligations in the environmental omnibus are undermining environmental standards and accountability? Second, could you elaborate on how the waste framework directive, the environmental omnibus, and the forthcoming Circular Economy Act will work together to harmonize and strengthen the implementation of national EPR schemes for textiles without weakening environmental ambition? Lastly, if you could provide some more information or context on the green VAT initiative foreseen for the end of the year, that would be highly appreciated. Thank you.”
  Sustainable fashion
• “Thank you. We speak endlessly of competitiveness in this mandate, colleagues. Yet? Equal treatment, fundamental rights and democracy are treated as secondary. Delayed, compromised or quietly dismantled. This is not only dangerous, it is expensive. I often speak here about justice, dignity and solidarity. But I've heard money talks. So today I will for once try to speak this language. Colleagues, we have everything to gain from an equal society. Because what are Europe? Democracy. Our fundamental rights and our liberal values, if not advantages in a global competition. Let me give you some figures. A recent report from the OECD found that fully eliminating discrimination in Europe could generate up to €500 billion in additional GDP and tax revenue, and an even more recent study from the estimated that adopting the horizontal Anti-Discrimination directive alone could deliver over €1 billion in benefits in its first five years. We are constantly told Europe must invest more, grow faster and get more people into employment. Yet we are overlooking the potential of a proposal that has been ready for adoption for 17 years. The truth is, failing to harmonise equal treatment legislation means maintaining 27 layers of unnecessary red tape as this year comes to an end. I urge colleagues in this House, in the Commission, and especially in the Council, to move beyond old political deadlocks and fears and to objectively assess the social and economic benefits of a Europe free from discrimination, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because we cannot afford not to do it. Thank you.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you. Thank you very much. Madam president, climate change, backsliding of democracy, a war that's taking place on our continent, a trade war and major threats to our security. We've got Putin, Trump, Musk, XI Jinping and their acolytes. The world desperately, desperately needs some form of resistance. And European Union has to be that power of resistance. The EU has an opportunity here to be the answer to our common challenges, but the EU can only become that answer if the EU really is a community where Democrats stick together. Over the course of the last 100 days, we've seen how the commission time and time again, has actually met the extreme right half way. We have seen many, many regulations watered down. We've also seen a reduction in our climate targets, anti-discrimination legislation being withdrawn and legislation that's also now very much not at the forefront of their agenda. Xi Jinping's communism, Trump's authority. Putin's aggression. Are we going to meet with a race to the bottom? Surely that is not how we're going to make the European Union stronger. We need freedoms. We need rights. These are our assets. We need to defend the rules based international order. That is what we need to strengthen. And our best tool here, our best weapon is good coordination, working together, sticking together in order to stand up against all those who seek to divide us. Thank you.”
  EU political integration